By COLlive reporter
Tallis or trend?
A new women’s accessory from the 2016 winter collection of fast-fashion retailer H&M strongly resembles the tallit Jewish prayer shawl used in synagogues.
The acrylic and rayon scarf comes in light beige with woven stripes and fringe at short ends – closely reminding of the tallis made of wool with black stripes and fringes as instructed by the Torah.
“H&M even incorporated its own version of tzitzit, the knotted fringe you’ll find on every tallit,” noted the Racked website.
The Stockholm-based chain also has a matching fringed poncho for $34.99.
This isn’t H&M’s first foray into prayer-shawl chic: In 2011, they issued a similarly-styled women’s poncho. Three years later, the brand was accused of anti-Semitism when it issued a tank top with a skull superimposed atop a Star of David.
A spokesperson for H&M sent the following comment to COLlive.com on Thursday:
“We are truly sorry if we have offended anyone with this piece. Everyone is welcome at H&M and we never take a religious or political stand. Stripes are one of the trends for this season and something we were inspired by. Our intention was never to upset anyone.”
i dont think it even requires tzitzis!
The hypocrisy of “If I have offended . . . .” Of course you have, and knowingly. H&M is Swedish, and anti-Semitism is now Swedish foreign policy–as Margot Wallstrom, the smug Minister for Foreign Affairs proves every time she opens her mouth.
how about righteousness and modesty being the new trend
You are a genius!!!!!! Please do that!
The garment meets all requirements to be a proper tallis. It has tzitzit. This is distgusting because a tallis is only worn in a temple. True sacrilidge.
If you are a girl i don’t think you can wear mens clothing
If you wear this as a talis (over the shoulders) then it does, indeed, need tzitzis. Just a heads up. Otherwise, I can’t figure out what on earth is supposed to be offensive here.
I’m buying this for Purim! I already have a tux I bought afew yrs ago on sale for 3 bucks ( great tztuk) … Borrow hubbys fedora, Now I have complete outfit !
its not like its offensive to judaism and the tallis- if anything its like saying that thats in style
What are they apologizing for?
We’ll add the tzitzis.
I’m sure they’ll be able to come up with a tallis that it’s more affordable, the colors lasts longer, and are easy to wash or stay with the same color when sending to the cleaners 🙂
Great. Idea for מבצעים,this bring many jews
To do תשובה .lets hope more and more jewish
Items. Will be in the market.בגדים צנועים,Nice moderat
Dress,shirt,skirts. At s….,
As they said in their apology! It’s copying the type of stripe on a talit.Some thick some thin stripes! Offensive & distasteful.
matches lots of stuff……….
Great play tallis!
H&M is not a nice organization. I suggest we take our business elsewhere.
Inspired by Matisyahu. He wore a talis as a scarf in his music video – Akeida.
Nice idea – and if nothing else wearing it will upset the anti-semites.
who cares?!its only us who notice !I thought it was funny when i saw it
i would buy it
They think a talis is cool. What in the world is wrong with people who get offended by this?!?!
It’s stupid, ugly, & H&M has a history of producing things that are insulting to Jews. Every time they apologize – how many times does H&M have to do that? How about stopping trying to undermine and humiliate us?
Not sure why this is a big deal. What a joke!
I think this scarf is great. Who cares if it looks like a tallit, the majority of people aren’t going to know what a tallit is anyways. Stripes are stripes, not a religious statement and fringes are a fashion trend for years.
If anything, it’s a cheap play tallit for kids
Like seriously who cares
Like!
And who cares anyway… its not a holocaust thing
a publicity stunt
Sounds great
thats funny
Faux fur popover scarf from Anne Taylor loft for $49
The Catholics clerics dress up far more than we do. Why not flog their attire instead. Wot a joke
CHIVE lziztis? Yes or no
I am laughing so hard.
So is this Beged Ish, or Isha? 🙂
turning jewish, soon theill be selling streinmels
who flippin cares if they want to sell it? im not sure why people would find it insulting. it looks so ugly anyway.