Q&A for How to Make a Tallit

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I see that sometimes the decorative face is facing inward, and sometimes it faces outward. Is there a rule or custom about this?

Community Answer

No, there is no law or rule about this; it's up to one's taste. The decorative face is to make the performance of the commandments as beautiful as possible.

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Question

Must the color of the tzitzis be white with a blue thread?

Community Answer

No, it can be just white. It's up to you to decide how you want to look.

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Question

Wear can I buy an atara?

Community Answer

Most Judaica stores will carry these, and one can likely buy one online, or have it custom commissioned from a silversmith.

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Question

What type fabric is used for the atarah?

Community Answer

Normally silver -- either pure silver, silver plated metal, or silver strands woven together.

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Question

Why would one cut the hole in the middle?

Benjamin M.

Top Answerer

According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (9:3), "The hole through which the tzitzis are hung should not be more than three-thumb breadths from the edge of both the width and length of the garment." This is because it needs to be the fringe of the garment. Any more than a thumb-breadth and that is no longer the fringe; any less and it is below the fringe.

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Question

Why are almost all ataras white? Can't they be with a majority of black?

Benjamin M.

Top Answerer

The atarah is a custom. As a result, the colours reflect custom. I don't know of anything that prohibits black, but it should be remembered that the main part of the tallit are the tzitzit. So much so that Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Arizal, writes that there is no source for this custom, and that one should not specifically seek a tallit with an atarah.

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Question

Where can I get a linen tallit?

maya leah

Community Answer

Linen tallits are sold in nearly any Judaica store. Amazon also sells linen tellits.

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Question

Where to buy the string to make a tallit?

Community Answer

Presumably you are referring to the tzitzis. According to the Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish law, you need to purchase them from a Jewish supplier who, when spinning them, had in mind that they would be used for the mitzvah of tzitzis.

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Question

Can I use cotton and polyester combined?

Community Answer

Yes, a tallit is subject to the ordinary restrictions of Jewish clothing. So mixtures that are not shatnetz (wool and linen) should be fine. Consult appropriate halachic counsel as needed.

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