This post presents a blessing to be said before placing the tallit (ritual prayer shawl) on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, beginning with a brief introduction to the meaning behind the garment. Traditionally, the tallit is worn by men during prayer from the time they become Bar Mitzvah or get married, depending on the custom of the community. In some communities, women also wear a tallit, as is the custom in the Beth Emet Reform Synagogue, where this original blessing is recited. It is customary for the one leading the prayer service to wear a tallit, so even in Orthodox Asheknazi communities where one does not take on this mitzvah until after marriage, the Bar Mitzvah wears a tallit when leading the prayer service at his ceremony.