“Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 22:12

I know you are familiar with prayer shawls. Our prayer shawls of today are often gifts we give to someone whom we know needs comfort, a loving word, our prayers and love. The shawl is a symbol of healing and hope.

Prayer shawls have a long history that goes all the way back to the early Hebrews. Both Numbers and Deuteronomy show God instructing people to create special garments adorned with braided tassels. Wearing the garment honored God, as the cloak and tassels served as a reminder of God’s covenant, obedience to God’s will, and a life lived in reverence to God. The cloak and tassels served as a kind of insurance th…