May 2010 – Ben's Tallit Shop

Tallit: Beyond the Here and Now

A tallit (also called "tallis" or "tallis gadol") is a prayer shawl traditionally made of wool. Its most significant feature is the tzitzit (knotted tassels) attached to each of the four corners (Numbers 15:38) to remind us that those things which exist beyond the ken of what is visible and present...

Tefillin: Mind, Heart and Soul

Tefillin, also known as phylacteries, are passages from the Torah written on parchments and placed in leather battim (receptacles or “houses”), with leather straps attached. These straps are used to bind the battim on the arm and head. A Bond Between You and the Torah The source of the commandment of tefillin...

The Inside Story

A mezuzah is a public declaration of Jewish identity and faith – both inside and out. In brief, a mezuzah consists of two brief passages from the Torah written by hand on a piece of parchment. The mezuzah parchment is then rolled into a scroll, wrapped in paper or plastic, inserted into a case and...

The Blazing Mezuzah

by Brian Silvey In the midst of a fraternity party, my Jewish spark was unexpectedly ignited. The Hebrew school I attended taught me how to read Hebrew, to say Shema, and that a mezuzah is placed on the doorways of Jewish homes. I remember one Hebrew school project when I made a mezuzah by writing the...