Talis over head

Question

Why is it that most Ashkenazim that are not married do not put the Talis over their head?

That would be a seperate question. However even those that do wear a Talis prior to their wedding - or when a Bochur gets an Aliyah - they do not wear the Talis over their head. Why not? — Gershon Gold, Oct 03 '10 at 14:52

score 12 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 05 '12 at 20:12

12

The minhag is sourced to the Talmud (Kiddushin 29b) that only married men would put the talis over their heads.

א"ל מאי טעמא לא פריסת סודרא א"ל דלא נסיבנא

Rashi: דלא פריס סודר - כדרך הנשואין שהיו רגילין לכסות ראשן

edited Feb 05 '12 at 20:12

Double AA

answered Oct 03 '10 at 21:21

jutky

Yekkes derive from the same source that only a talmid chacham should cover his head, and from what I have heard, only during Amidah. – Noach MiFrankfurt Feb 17 '14 at 05:10

score 7 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 04 '10 at 23:58

7

so that woman who are looking to get married may see who is and is not married.

answered Oct 04 '10 at 23:58

Koachyah

2 Answers2