WEARING THE TALLIT Yom Kippur is the only time we wear a tallit at night since the command of tzitzit only applies during the day. The custom began with Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (thirteenth century) and is based on the fact that tonight we say Seliḥot, penitential prayers, as part of the evening service. Seliḥot are associated in the Talmud specifically with the wearing of a tallit. When Moses prayed to God to forgive the Israelites after the sin of the golden calf, according to the Talmud God “wrapped Himself in a tallit” and showed Moses how to pray (Rosh HaShana 17b), and it is on this that the institution of Seliḥot is based. Originally only the leader of prayer wore a tallit, but eventually the custom developed that all should do so, since the service of Yom Kippur – repentance – falls on each of us equally. The blessing over the tallit should be said before sunset.