Description
» Double-knotted fringes
» Half-lining
» Side bands
The History of the Turkish Tallit
Despite its name, the “Turkish” tallit did not originate in modern-day Turkey. Rather, it developed among the Jewish communities of Tunisia, which was under Ottoman (Turkish) rule until the late 19th century. During that period, tallits produced in Tunis and surrounding regions were commonly referred to as “Turkish” simply because of their political administration.
This talit became popular because one of the Turkish sultans had banned flax plants, effectively making Tunisia a linen-free zone. Since wool products from Tunisia were known to be free of linen, there was no need to be concerned that one’s wool tallit contained shatnez. (In 2008 it was found that Turkish tallits could no longer be safely assumed to be free of linen and therefore require rabbinic supervision like other tallits.)
Over time, the distinctive features of the Echt Turkish tallit—its substantial weight, dense weave, lining, side reinforcements, and double-row fringes—became associated with durability, dignity, and tradition, and it became a sought-after commodity in various Jewish communities, particularly in Chassidic circles.
For generations, this style of tallit has been favored by those seeking a prayer shawl that reflects the look and feel of tallits worn in North African and Ottoman Jewish communities. Today, the Echt Turkish tallit remains a choice for wearers who value authenticity, longevity, and a tangible connection to Jewish prayer traditions of centuries past.
Echt Turkish vs. Kmo Turkish
Today two types of Turkish tallits are available. The Echt Turkish Tallit (“genuine Turkish prayer shawl”) is made from a dense weave, making it far and away the heaviest traditional wool tallit available. The Kmo Tallit (“faux”) employs the same design, pattern and features as authentic Turkish tallits, but uses a somewhat lighter weave of wool.
Suhan –
The tallit has come in today and it is marvelous. Thank you very much!
Yisrael –
my tallit is fantastic and I’m very happy with the item and service, thank you
Micha’el –
The Tallit was a gift for a dear friend. The quality is unsurpassed, the most beautiful and heavy wool weave. Ben was a fantastic communicator and the item arrived quickly to the UK. Would recommend to anyone.
staub –
wonderful tallis, great work and very beautiful ateret, thank you.
Dominic P. –
The Echt Tallit you sent is not just a quality product, it´s real craftmanship, and it feels great when I wear it.
Me and my family are the only Jews in the place where I live, so I wear it just in my home. For me is not to show it, but to fulfill the mitzvah with kavanah, and this tallit helps me in that.
N.R. Davies –
This is a beautifully made tallis and is a great hiddur mitsvah to use it….certainly feels like it is “there,” which is a wonderful aid to my kavanah. Thank you also, Ben, for your excellent personalised service!
Jonathan K –
Beautifully made and gorgeous looking tallit. Ben provides great advice, asks the important questions and assures a total quality experience.
J. Rogge –
What I wanted in the beginning was the Hamefoar Prestige tallit based on the look, but I wanted the weight of the Echt Turkish, but with single fringes and a Traditional Atara. In the end I decided for the Echt Turkish because i want to feel the weight of the commandments and G-ds will when I pray. The Echt Turkish tallit is beautiful. It is nice and heavy, stays on and doesn’t slip and the Traditional Atara is fantastic. I cried when I held the tallit in front of me for the blessing, this was probably more spiritual in nature, but i am so grateful for this very beautiful tallit to clothe me in prayer. When first inspecting the tallit there were some stitching threads that i had to trim, but everything else was great. Very minimal adjustments needed when being worn, once its on it stays on, depending on how actively you daven. I am 6 feet tall and got the 70 size, if i could i would get the 80 because I am a bigger man. I also got the thick Ptil Tekhelet which I am very happy with too. Overall I am very impressed and will continue to shop at Ben’s Tallit Shop for my Judaic needs. Thank you
Hope –
This Tallit is amazing and I really like it I also got another Tallit a while back that one is awesome too and I am quite happy with the Tallitot that I own and I am definitely going to use this site for any thing I may need. (Replacements and/or gifts to friends). I was surprised that Ben sold to me with my first order but I am grateful, the closest Judaica store that sells the Tallit katan is a Chabad store in Houston. If I could rate this 1,000,000,000 stars if I could!
Anonymous –
The talit is great
Marc –
Apres de nombreuses discussions avec le vendeur, je ne regrette pas l’achat de ce tallit qui est d’excellente facture.
On sent que c’est de la qualité
par contre ceux qui ne supportent pas un peu de poids sur les epaules, passer votre chemin!
L’atara est amovible et fixée avec des boutons pression plastic
a voir a l’usage.
Un tres bel achat.
Brenton W. –
I was very impressed with this tallit. It is beautiful and the weave is superb. I have to say, that was the fastest shipping from Israel I have EVER experienced. It left the 15th and was delivered on the 18th. I will be doing business with Ben’s Tallit Shop again for myself, friends, and family. Thanks, Ben!
DG –
Very good quality! Service was impeccable. Would definitely use Ben’s Tallit in the future.
Cody –
Bens shop was gracious in keeping me informed about every step as I bugged them, the Tallit is excellent condition everything I had ordered done to perfection no question of kosher. beautiful work
Jose Irizarry (Ariel Yosef) –
Purchased this tallit a couple of years ago. It still looks new! I get a lot of compliments because this is a stunning tallit, in a good way. Folks know you mean business when you show up wearing this. I also added the highest quality tzitzits and they are still like new.
Great Tallit –
A beautiful great quality tallit. Thank you.
Cedric –
Je cherchais un talith à la fois beau et sobre : le talith Echt Turkish est exactement ce qu’il me fallait ! Avec sa laine d’excellente qualité au tissage fin et assez dense, il a du corps et son est poids en conséquence, tout en restant raisonnable selon moi. Par des températures, on préférera toutefois une version plus légère. Agrémenté de l’atara de laine tissée main noir-blanc-argent disponible aussi sur ce site – qui lui ajoute encore un peu plus de consistance et de noblesse, je ne reçois que des compliments.
Je peux recommander ce talith et j’en profite pour remercier Ben, qui a su répondre avec patience et diligence par mail à toutes mes questions.
Myron –
I wanted my first tallit to be special and I know that I have found it with the echt turkish tallit. I love it’s weight, it’s size and all the extra’s that I had added. I have to mention the shipping speed also ( three thumbs ) and I only have two hands, great job.
Steve Newman –
excellent
Yosef Lopes –
I am so grateful for this Tallit. I put Sephardic Tzit Tzit according to my Nusach/Rite. I wake up excited to Daven and I cannot thank Ben’s Tallit Shop enough. They didn’t have size 80, so I waited for a month but their customer service is excellent and It was worth the wait. I am 18 years old and 5 ‘8 so the Tallit size 80 is very big on me but I will hopefully grow into it. Again I cannot thank Ben’s Tallit Shop enough. Big question!!!! How do you properly wash a wool Tallit and things I should get?