Sometimes one is pleasantly surprised when they see an unexpected sight. Such was the case when, a short while ago, I came across a photo of the (Kiryas Joel) Satmar Rebbe giving a ‘Shabbos shuvah drosho’ in Williamsburg in New York, a few days ago, wearing a tallis. The practice seems to be a vestige of the old minhag Ashkenaz, in which a tallis is worn not only for davening, but also on other special occasions, such as when a Rav is mesader kiddushin, officiating at a chassunah (wedding), and for Shabbos Hagodol and Shabbos Shuva drashos, and so on, מפני כבוד הציבור. In this case it was especially interesting as it was not even on Shabbos, but rather on Sunday, צום גדליה!
Interestingly, this minhag survives in a variety of locations around the world, such as Eretz Yisroel, Europe, as well as some places in the USA. Did you see it at the drosho you attended this year?
Do you have any other examples of sightings of Minhag Ashkenaz practices, or vestiges thereof, in unexpected places, that you would like to share with us? Do tell!
יה”ר שנזכה לשוב בתשובה שלמה בקרוב
Tags: Chassidim, Minhog Ashkenaz
TREASURES OF ASHKENAZ 
October 2, 2014 at 5:41 am |
The Rov at GGBH always does [typically at Shabbos Mincho on Shuvo & haGodol the Rov will receive Hagbo and retain his Tallis for Pilpul speech after Mincho, but this doesn’t transpire @KAJ WH where Rov never wear Tallis for Shabbos Shuva/haGodol afternoon Pilpul.
October 2, 2014 at 8:50 am |
Thanks for that information!
חתימה טובה!
October 2, 2014 at 10:05 am |
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks would wear a Tallis during his pre-selichos address on Saturday night
October 2, 2014 at 10:15 am |
Thanks for that information!
Would you know if he wore one when delivering Shabbos Shuva and Shabbos Hagodol droshos as well?
As an aside, in some places they have those droshos at the time of their Shabbos morning davening. In such cases one is hard pressed to discern a minhog in the area, as they are anyway wearing a tallis due to davening.
October 4, 2014 at 4:42 pm |
Rav Simcha haKohen Kook, chief rabbi of Rehovot wears a talit for both his Shabbat haGadol and Shabbat Shuva drashot at Beit Knesset HaGadol in Rehovot.
October 4, 2014 at 8:57 pm |
Thanks for that information!
I know that this minhog (in one way or another) is followed by some in Yerusholayim and Bnei Brak. Nice to learn that it is alive in Rechovos as well.
October 4, 2014 at 5:52 pm |
Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld was Principal of the Hasmonean schools in London, and used to address them, in his tallis, ever year on a Chanuka afternoon.
October 4, 2014 at 8:58 pm |
Thanks for that tidbit!
Any other readers have acounts to share?
November 25, 2014 at 8:14 pm |
In Amsterdam @ what is called the Halachic Lecture, as well. Obviously :-). Same as Schmuel describes for GGBH.
November 26, 2014 at 10:52 am |
Thanks for that information!
December 22, 2014 at 9:52 am |
Ever heard of someone wearing a Tallis for his Seder? See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTqi7UkVjzI
December 22, 2014 at 2:11 pm |
Thanks, good and relevant.
Research needed.