Taken from mytalit
Just remember this is just one persons opinion.
Tallits for Non-Jews
December 1st, 2008
It may seem unusual or odd, but a number of non-Jews have expressed interest in the use of the prayer shawl, properly known as talit. The talit, as any practicing Jew would know, is a garment used during the morning prayer and during the Sabbath day (and during Jewish religious holidays). The use of the talit is part of the mitzvah, or the 613 commandments the Jews practice. In turn, the tallit itself (or, practically, the tzitzit placed on the four corners of the prayer shawl), serves as a reminder for the Jews that they should observe the mitzvah. This practice was mainly based on the verses on the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy.
It is obvious that the use of tallis is mainly a Jewish traditional. Even individuals from different (but similar) religions like the Catholics and the Protestants are not required to wear such religious garments. So why are non-Jews interested in using tallits or tallitot, considering that the tallit is a religious garment?
First, this interest may be rooted on other people’s interest in other religions. Many people study many religious beliefs and use them according to how they see fit. Of course, this is not exactly forbidden. Hence, many people, even non-Jews, use the tallit during their prayers, believing that the use of such religious garment helps them with their praise and their relationship with God.
Another source of this interest may stem from less sincere reasons. Many non-Jews use the tallit as a shawl, and not just for prayer. This practice is not limited to use of tallits by non-Jews or gentiles. After all, many religious also use shawls and other similar pieces of clothing during their moment of praise. These garments are used as accessories by many non-Jews, something that has stemmed from the ignorance of non-Jews. Many gentiles do not know that such garments are used for religious purposes.
To be fair, the Jews are becoming more and more in terms of the rules in wearing tallits. More and more women are using tallits. Hence, the Jews cannot be accused of being closed minded, since the use of the tallit itself has been subject to change.
However, the use of tallit by non-Jewish is opposed by several authorities due to a number of reasons. For one, gentiles are not subject to the mitzvah. This means two things: they are not required to wear the tallis, and the purpose of the prayer shawl is not applicable to them, since the tallit should remind people of the mitzvah.
In both cases, non-Jews should be careful when using tallits. The use of these prayer shawls requires proper etiquette. There are rules to follow, and non-adherence to these rules is an insult to Jews. After all, the Jews consider this practice sacred. While the Jewish authorities say it does not make much sense for a non-Jew to use tallitot, there are no actual laws forbidding this. Non-Jews can use shawls used by non-Jew visitors in temple if they want to use the prayer shawl for spiritual purposes. The tallit has very special meaning, and only the Jews can understand it fully.
