of The Shul in the Park in Giffnock, models
the new Jewish tartan, here used to keep a
tallit bundled together.
According to Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel Jacobs, reputed to be the only Scottish-born rabbi living in the country, the recent unveiling of the first distinctly Jewish tartan - a patterned cloth known in America as plaid - now gives Scotland's Jewish community an important measure of distinctly Scottish pride.
“Scotland has a rich tapestry of culture and history,” says Jacobs, noting that the first Jewish resident of Edinburgh was recorded in 1691. “When England was exiling its Jews in the Middle Ages, Scotland provided a safe haven from English and European anti-Semitism.”
Jewish Pattern Takes its Place in History of Scottish Tartans
of The Shul in the Park in Giffnock, models
the new Jewish tartan, here used to keep a
tallit bundled together.
GIFFNOCK, Scotland — Jewish people have inhabited Scotland for more than 300 years, but in all that time, the group hasn’t been able to lay claim to a tartan of its own.
According to Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel Jacobs, reputed to be the only Scottish-born rabbi living in the country, the recent unveiling of the first distinctly Jewish tartan – a patterned cloth known in America as plaid – now gives Scotland’s Jewish community an important measure of distinctly Scottish pride.
“Scotland has a rich tapestry of culture and history,” says Jacobs, noting that the first Jewish resident of Edinburgh was recorded in 1691. “When England was exiling its Jews in the Middle Ages, Scotland provided a safe haven from English and European anti-Semitism.”
The addition of a tartan – worn throughout the ages by Scotland’s traditional family clans, and adapted in modern times by everything from soccer clubs to manufacturing houses – was a logical step in asserting the Jewish community’s place in the country, says the rabbi.
Levi, Chanie, and Mindy
Go Mendel! We are really proud of you! Keep up the good work.
Astonished
Bizarre.
In what sense is this not following the customs of goyim? I thought any country we live in is never our home (nor is EY until Mashiach comes)? I understand dressing like goyim around you (jeans, suits, shirts, shoes, etc.), but picking specifically goyishe wear and associating it with yiddishkeit?
Also, what does “Scotts of Jewish faith” mean? Yiddishkeit is not just “faith” — we are a nation (albeit in exile), not a religious club.
Keep it up
Keep up the creativity in bringing Yiden closer to their Yidiskeit.
disgrace!!
why is this better than the “lubavitch designer” who made womens clothes out of torah covers and talleisim????
shmu
kiddush hashem and a great innovation
ASHAMED!!!
sorry, im just really confused, since when are we modernizing our lvush that our rabbeim tought us to wear?
bubby
To those of you who just didn’t get it.
Rabbi Jacobs is not wearing a Tallis edged in tartan. He is just displaying the colours in the photo.
As for the tartan of Jewish colours, it can be used for whatever purpose, though not ritualistic, the Jewish community may want to use it for.
Why don’t you read discerningly and absorb the words before you respond foolishly to an article.
A.H.
To Astonished:
I don’t know, what makes a tartan any more specifically “goyishe wear” than jeans or shirts? It would be one thing if it had avodah zarah symbols on it, but a tartan does not.
And the quote about “Scots of the Jewish faith” isn’t from Rabbi Jacobs, but from a non-Jew, the director of the Scottish Tartans Authority; you can’t expect him to note the difference between “Jewish Scotsmen” and “Scottish Jews.”
To Disgrace!!:
The tallis remains a tallis; he’s simply wrapping a piece of the tartan around it (note the caption: “the new Jewish tartan, here used to keep a
tallit bundled together”). So what’s the problem?
Rivky
I think it is not fair to pick on the Scotts. The Jews from Morocco adopted the dress, the Jews of Poland, Russia etc. Maybe cuz it is unfamiliar it arouses such a strong reaction.
me
Everything is backwards.
Being “creative” is honorable and Halacha just gets in the way.
Aping the goyim is worthwhile if it gets a shaliach valuable publicity.
“. . . logical step in asserting the Jewish community’s place in the country . . . ” Huh?!
Transforming a culture from within
The Rebbe’s well-known sicha on Tzorfas explains this, I believe. See there. Anyone acquainted with the Jacobs family and their work would realize that they would not act irresponsibly, chas v’sholem. Dan lechaf zechus is also a mitzva.
Galilee Silks
We create unique Tallitot, but this I have never seen! Very nice, Kol HaKavod!
You are most welcome to pay a visit at Galilee Silks Classic, Modern and Womens Tallitot!