Question: What are the words on the Prayer Shaw? What is their origin and meaning?
Answer: This question reminds me of a time I was in the grocery store and an elderly gentleman came up to me (I look like a Rabbi) and told me this story.
Once Yankel Jakobovitz’s friend Christian Smith wanted to join the Jewish country club. Yankel said "Christian isn’t going to work. We need a more Jewish sounding name. Let’s see. How about Aaron Yanklevitch?
Christian: O.K.
Yankel: Buddy, what did you do for a living before you retired?
Christian: I was a bartender.
Yankel: Oh no! That won’t do. They would never let you in with a job like that. I was hoping for accountant or something like that. Let’s see. I know something really Jewish! A Talis Maker.
So they rehearsed this over and over. The day finally came to meet the committee.
Mr. Schwartz: So what’s your name?
Christian: (sweating) Um... Er...Aaron Yanklevitch
Mr. Schwartz: What a nice Yidishe name. You know I hear about Jews naming their kids Christina these days. But I’m getting off topic. Where were we? Oh yeah, what is your profession?
Christian: Um, I’m a Talis maker
Mr. Schwartz: Great, I’ve always wanted to meet one of you guys. I’ve got a question for you. What does it say on the neck part of the talis? I don’t read Hebrew so well.
Christian: (thinking fast) Um, well I didn’t make that part. I made the sleeves.
Anyway, the words on the Talis are usually the blessing made when putting on the Talis.
Baruch Attah Hashem (G-d’s name) Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kidishanu Bimitzsvosav Vitzivanu Lihisatef Bitzitzit.
Loosely translated it means, Blessed are You, Lord Our G-d, Creator of the world, Master of all powers and King of the world, who commanded us to wrap ourselves with Tzitzit.
Tzitzit is a mitzvah mentioned in the third paragraph of the Shema. It's purpose is to act as a sort of uniform for a Jew, reminding him that he is part of G-d’s private army.
More information on this topic:
Jewish Signs and Symbols
Tzitzith: A Thread of Light, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
I highly recommend all of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan’s works. They are thought provoking and practical.
Wishing you success in you search for meaningful Judaism.
Rabbi A. Page
