Tallit FAQ

Which size is right for me?
Try our Tallit Size Wizard and contact us if you're still unsure.

Can you tie techelet (blue tzitzit) on the tallits you sell?
We are a Ptil Tekhelet authorized dealer. We also sell Radzin Techelet strings. Techelet tzitzit are costly, but our prices are very competitive. We are set up to tie techelet tzitzit according to five different tying customs. Refer to our Tzitzit Wizard for details.

I need a tallit for a bar mitzvah, but I don't know where to start.
If you want a traditional wool tallit with black, white or blue striping, click here.
If you would like a modern tallit, click here.
For our handwoven tallit sets, click here.

Can I customize my tallit?
Yes, of course. Ben's Tallit Shop is the leading online tallit expert. We are set up to tie tzitzit according to almost any tying custom, tie techelet tzitzit, change the atara (neckband) and sew on a lining, side bands or middle band. Note that some tallits have these options right on the product page, while others do not (see below). 

What is a tallit lining?
The lining is stitched onto the underside of the tallit on the part that sits on your head and shoulders. It adds body and weight to the tallit, however a tallit lining might detract somewhat from the non-slip properties since it's made of smooth cotton. On the other hand, it adds overall stability.

What are tallit side bands?
Side bands are like narrow ataras that go along the sides. They are good for those who like a hefty tallit they can get a grip on. They are sewn on the underside of the tallit, at about the point where the atara ends. They are recommended for those who tug at the sides of the tallit a lot, which can cause tears. On some tallits they are made of smooth cotton. More commonly they are made of a synthetic patterned fabric strip similar to a simple white atara (neckband).

What is a tallit middle band?
A middle band goes straight across the middle of the tallit horizontally. Have you ever seen someone with a tear right smack in the center of their tallit? I have a theory to explain this phenomenon, but it's really just a hypothesis. I have spoken with various experts and nobody has a concrete answer. It's one of the mysteries of the universe. But in any case, a middle band prevents that. Some customers feel that a middle bands detracts aesthetically from the look of the tallit, others contend it enhances the look. Keep in mind that a tallit with a middle band doesn't fold up as neatly and takes up a bit more space in your tallit bag.

How do I order a lining, side bands and/or a middle band?
You will see these options on a number of product pages for certain tallits that lend themselves to these additions. 

If you're not seeing these options, you would add these items to your cart.

 

Lining
Side Bands
Middle Band

 

Note that for tallits that do not display these options on the product page, you should allow several days for sewing.


Can you embroider lettering on the tallit?
We embroider names in Hebrew or English on any of the tallit bags we sell, but we discourage customers from adding embroidery to the tallit itself. According to halacha, even adding a biblical verse is considered a leniency, therefore we feel adding a name onto the tallit itself is not very appropriate. Furthermore, it's not very aesthetic, because there is no place on the tallit that readily lends itself to name embroidery, and because the letters appear backwards on the opposite side, which is sometimes visible when worn.

I want a traditional white tallit with black stripes. You offer a wide selection, but they all look pretty much the same to me. What's the difference between the various black-on-white tallit options?
For most of our classic tallit sub-categories, if you scroll down to the bottom of the sub-category, you'll see a detailed comparison of the various tallit options, including a description of the weave, added features, sizes available for a given tallit and more.
Go to Traditional Wool Tallits>>