Tallit (Hebrew: tallit) is a rectangular prayer shawl, adorned with fringes (Hebrew: tzitzit, plural tzitziot) attached to the corners. It is worn by men during morning prayers (Hebrew: Shacharit). The custom of wearing a Tallit originates from the biblical commandment: “[…] make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, […] These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them […]" (Numbers 15:38-39). In traditional communities, men wear a smaller version of the Tallit called a Tallit Katan (Hebrew: tallit katan) under their clothing throughout the day, which is believed to offer protection against evil spells and demons (see more in: A. Untermann, Encyklopedia tradycji i legend żydowskich, Warsaw 1994, pp. 64, 262, 282).
Men are buried in the Tallit after death, with the fringes from one corner cut off. This custom symbolizes that the deceased can no longer fulfill the commandments.
The Tallit from the collection of the Education and Museum Centre "Świętokrzyski Sztetl" has fringes approximately 34 cm long on all four corners. In the middle of the longer edge, there is an atarah, a narrow strip approximately 67 cm long and 6 cm wide, adorned with silver embroidery. On the other side, a rectangular cover measuring 84 cm in length and 54 cm in width is sewn. The corners of the Tallit are reinforced with small square fabrics from the underside. Ribbons with fringes approximately 17 cm long are sewn to the shorter edges, tied in knots. Conservation status is good. The lower edge of the atarah is frayed and the upper edge is carelessly sewn with white thread, with a significant fabric loss in the middle. Fringes are missing on the ribbon in the upper area. The inner lining is partially detached, showing numerous stains, and the upper edge is poorly sewn with white thread.
