How to Make Tallit Tassels

The tassels at the corners of tallit are called tzitzit.

The prayer shawls that Jews traditionally wear during religious services, called tallit, have tasseled fringes at each corner called tzitzit. Orthodox Jewish men and boys also wear an undershirt with these tassels so that they can fulfill the religious commandment, or mitzvah, to wear tzitzit each day. Tzitzit must be tied in a specific way in order to fulfill the commandment. When tying your own, keep the intention of honoring the mitzvah in your mind. The focus on the commandment makes the act of tying holy.

Things You'll Need

• Set of tzitzit
• Wool tallit

Instructions

1. Separate the tzitzit into four piles. Each pile should have three short strings and one long string, called the shamash. Align the top ends of the strings in each pile.

2. Grasp one set of strings, and recite the words "leshem mitzvat tzitzit," meaning "in order to fulfill the commandment of tzitzit." Thread the bundle of strings through the hole in one corner of the tallit, and pull the strings until the threaded ends are even with the opposite ends of the short strings. One end of the shamash will dangle below the others.

3. Hold the four even ends in one hand and the three short ends and dangling shamash in the other. Tie the two sets of ends in a double knot, tight against the fabric of the tallis.

4. Hold the shamash in your dominant hand and the other seven ends in your other hand. Wrap the shamash around them seven times, and then tie the shamash and the bundle in a double knot. Say "leshem mitzvat tzitzit" again.

5. Separate the shamash again and wrap it around the other strings eight times. Tie a double knot. Recite "leshem mitzvat tzitzit."

6. Wrap the shamash around the shorter strings 11 times. Tie a double knot. Say "leshem mitzvat tzitzit."

7. Wrap the shamash around the shorter strings 13 times. Tie a double knot. Say "leshem mitzvat tzitzit."

8. Even out the ends of your tassel by biting off the uneven threads. Repeat the wrapping and tying process on the other three corners, reciting "leshem mitzvat tzitzit" each time you tie a knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your tallit is made of wool; tzitzit are always wool, and Jews are not permitted to mix fibers.

• If you want to make your own set of tzitzit thread, cut the short strings to 40 inches and the long strings to 60 inches. Use wool string.

• Don't cut tzitzit with metal.

References

• Ben's Tallit Shop: Do-It-Yourself Tzitzit Tying
• Hanefesh: The Tallit (Shawl Prayer) & the Arba Kanfot (Tzitzit)

Resources

• Chabad.org: What is the Tzitzit and Tallit?