It has been portrayed in the movies that Jesus often covered his head with a shawl when he prayed. However, this is not an accurate account.
Numbers 15:38 – ““Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.
Any item of clothing that the Jewish men wore had to have these tassels and blue cord attached to the corners. There is nothing in this scripture that states these tassels are for a specific type of garment like a shawl. The tassels are meant to serve as a reminder of God’s law and commandments.
Furthermore, there is no scripture that states a man should cover his head with these garments when praying.
Deuteronomy 22:12 – “You must put four tassels on the hem of the cloak with which you cover yourself—on the front, back, and sides.
This scripture does not say for men to cover their heads with this cloak while praying.
Matthew 9:20 – Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
When the woman wished to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak, she was expressing her agreement with Jesus’ interpretation and teachings of how to fulfill the ten commandments and God’s law in her life. She was saying that she agrees with Jesus’ interpretation of God’s word and law. Reaching out to touch Jesus’ hem is a statement of faith that she believed in Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God, way, truth and life.
Matthew 14:35-36 – And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Mark 6:56 – And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
By touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak, these people were agreeing with his interpretation of how to fulfill the Ten Commandments and God’s law in their life.
