The Unexplainable Covering

I suppose the questions only grew the more I attended. I didn’t always ask them out loud—honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to. I never wanted my questions to sound rude or dismissive. I simply wanted to understand what I was seeing and why it mattered.

Questions I Was Learning to Ask

One thing that stood out to me was the prayer shawls—tallitot. At this congregation, some women wore them, and a small table near the entrance held kippot and prayer shawls for those who needed one. Practices surrounding the tallit vary among Jewish and Messianic communities, so what I witnessed reflected the customs of this particular congregation.

Near the end of the service, I noticed something beautiful. Some people gently drew a tallit over their own heads, while others extended one over a spouse or children beside them, creating what looked like a small shelter. I did not yet understand the practice, but the tenderness of the moment stayed with me.

The Priestly Blessing

Over time, I learned that this often took place while the Priestly Blessing—also called the Aaronic Blessing—was spoken. Its words come directly from Numbers 6:24–26:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

The blessing itself is biblical. The ways communities receive it, including customs involving a tallit, can differ. In traditional Jewish practice, kohanim may raise their hands beneath their tallitot while blessing the congregation. In some congregations and families, a tallit may also be extended over loved ones.

For me, that gathered moment became a visual reminder of God’s protection, care, and peace. I do not assume that everyone understands or practices it in exactly the same way. I can only share what it came to mean in my own journey.

A Practice That Became Meaningful to Us

Eventually, my husband and I began doing it too—not because we felt obligated or believed everyone should practice as we did, but because it had become meaningful in our worship. The experience also encouraged me to keep learning. Reverence and understanding do not have to compete; learning the biblical foundation and honoring the traditions of others can deepen the way we approach a sacred moment.

Sometimes a moment touches our hearts before we have words for it. When that happens, we can receive it with humility, seek understanding, and remain respectful of the faith and practices of others.

Have you ever felt drawn to learn more about a faith tradition after witnessing it? What did the experience teach you about listening with respect?

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