Israeli Jewish Prayer Shawl: "'Joseph's Coat' Tallit"

This is an Israeli Jewish prayer shawl, called a "tallit," Hebrew for prayer shawl. Originally the word meant "gown" or "cloak." This was a rectangular mantle that looked like a blanket and was worn by men in ancient times.

The tallit became a religious garment for prayer. The tallit is worn by males during the morning prayers as well as during all Day of Atonement services. Some religious practitioners wear the tallit also during the afternoon and evening services. Before putting on the prayer shawl, a prayer is said.

This particular tallit has many colors, referring to the Biblical story of Jacob (Israel in the Jewish Torah) and the many colored coat that he gave to his favorite son, Joseph. Joseph goes on to save the Egyptians from famine.

Judaism is a religion in which people believe that there is one god (monotheism), the same god the Christians and Muslims worship, who created the universe and has a personal relationship with humans. The religion was founded in Israel about 4,000 years ago by Abraham, who entered into a covenant with God to follow the laws of God. Moses received the Jewish holy book from God. Scholars disagree about whether there is an afterlife. Jews are waiting for the Messiah who may bring about an afterlife.
Source:
Source: "Tallit." Encyclopaedia Judaica. Ed. Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik. 2nd ed. Vol. 19. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. 465-466. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 13 Mar. 2013. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX2587519534&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w