What is a prayer shawl and how is it worn?
 

I'm doing costumes for a production of Fiddler on the Roof, and I'm not familiar with what exactly a prayer shawl is, what it looks like, or how it is worn. I'm hoping someone Jewish can help me out and explain it to me.
What exactly is he wearing and how does he have it on? Are there specifics that I need to know if I'm making them? Or, is there a place where I can buy very cheap ones? (Like under $10 each.)

Thanks!

Google has lots examples. I assume you are looking for Tallits which are worn during prayer.

As the family in the story is Jewish you'd want to be sure to use the proper colors of blue and white with fringes. Here are some images to guide you: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...13.3KoXx9ZyI5I

Jan in VA

Thank you Jan. That was a vary interesting display of Prayer shawls.

John Hagee Ministries sells them - blue and white stripes with fringe. They even come with an explanation of what each element of the shall means.

found this
http://www.ehow.com/how_12034455_mak...-costumes.html

I thought a prayer shawl was a knitted or crochet shawl that you put on to pray with.
Learned something new today.

I think you are thinking of the prayer shawls that people make for sick people, they pray while they are making them. That is what I thought of first when I read the title.

http://www.shawlministry.com/

Dada....yes, the prayer shawls you are talking about are Tallit. However, the extremely orthodox Jewish men (which the characters in Fiddler are), also wear a garment under their shirts that have four groups of fringe hanging outside of their "dress" shirts (called Tzitzit). This is probably the garment you need/want to make. The tallit is only worn when praying in synagogue or when a quorum of men are together for the purpose of praying. If you need more information, you can call a local synagogue (if you don't find enough information on the internet) or rent the movie "Fiddler" to see the costumes.



Hope this helps.

That's what I thought too. Our church does this for anyone who requests one for a friend or relative. Believe it or not, I've never seen 'Fiddler on the Roof', so I didn't know that it was about a Jewish family.

Oh my, rent the movie..it is wonderful and thought provoking on many levels....better than anything offered on today's marquees.

Might I say, you have your hands full. Remember this is a COSTUME, you do not need to make a real prayer shawl. When making costumes you try to get close it is for show (prayer shawls are part of our history and our religion). With that said, use a thrift story white table cloth (you should be able to make at least two prayer shawls). Some blue (not bright), paint pens for your strips. You can use yarn for the ends. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for this link. I have wanted to do these for 2 years, but I could not find a simple pattern. Now I can get started.

Ditto! Great musical and a great story!

After the tornado wiped out our home and belongings, some of the volunteers that came to help brought me a prayer shawl. They had worked all day beside us and before the left they gave me the shawl saying that as they made it they prayed continually for the one who would receive the shawl. They put their arms around us and prayed for our recovery. It was very touching and every time I put it on their kindness still brings tears to my eyes.

I think this is a newer application of a very old tradition. For years people have used special places, clothes, and different things and ways to set aside time to remember and pray to their God. I know this shawl is very special because it reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for, including the many caring and kind people who helped in a thousand ways.

We make them in quilting. They are made to comfort the sick,dying and those in need. We make them with fabric.

Thank you.
Its a very nice display.