Torah

The Jewish prayer shawl, the tallit, is as mysterious as it is iconic. Worn by Jews each morning when they pray to God, it connects them to the divine realm, their history, and their culture. However, its origins are generally unknown. This article will argue that the seeds of the Jewish prayer shawl lie in a royal robe worn by Pharaohs since the beginning of Egyptian civilization, over five millennia ago. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"126611","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"820","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"610"}}]] A rabbi reading in the forecourt of the Synagogue. By Isidor Kaufmann (1853-1921). His tallit appears nearly identical to Akhenaten’s jubilee robe. (Auktionshaus Bergmann/ Public Domain ) Royal Renewal and Rejuvenation The Heb-Sed, or Jubilee Festival, was one of Pharaoh’s most important events, held to celebrate thirty successful