In search of a Solomonic solution

[tonightwetaco]

My Grandfather, Sol, passed when I was young and my brother and I recently came into possession of his Tallit. I am more sentimental than my brother and have been thinking about how best to handle sharing it.

My brother takes the position that whomever is going to actually use it should have it and I believe he feels that would be his son, my nephew. I proposed that we pass it from family to family each year and if someone wants to use it they can have it anytime and then return it. Again, he doesn't strike me as that sentimental and didn't really see the beauty in that tradition the way I did. I then proposed that we take our fathers Tallit (Sol's son) and Sol's Tallit and split them both in two and join them to make 2 new Tallit. He seemed to think this would not work because one is larger than the other and it wouldn't be possible. He also seemed to think that cutting each would be wrong, perhaps because he knows more about their construction and it would not be practical.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Can anyone propose other possible solutions?

Thanks!

[searchinmyroots]

Thanks for the question!

I understand the sentiment as I too had a Tallit from my Bar Mitzvah that was in my family. It was lent out and seemed to have disappeared.

I lean towards your brothers view to lend it as needed and the person who uses it the most should keep possession. After all, it is meant to be used.

I don't think splitting it in 2 is a "kosher" idea"!

But that's just my opinion, others here may think differently or have another solution.

You might want to confer with your local Rabbi who can also offer a solution that makes sense for all.

[tonightwetaco]

Thanks for the question!

I understand the sentiment as I too had a Tallit from my Bar Mitzvah that was in my family. It was lent out and seemed to have disappeared.

I lean towards your brothers view to lend it as needed and the person who uses it the most should keep possession. After all, it is meant to be used.

I don't think splitting it in 2 is a "kosher" idea"!

But that's just my opinion, others here may think differently or have another solution.

You might want to confer with your local Rabbi who can also offer a solution that makes sense for all.

Thanks for providing your POV, searchinmyroots!

[Chavak]

I think it should be given to a family member that will use it and they can pass it down in the family. I don't think cutting and joining them is a good idea.

[tonightwetaco]

I think it should be given to a family member that will use it and they can pass it down in the family. I don't think cutting and joining them is a good idea.

thanks for your input Chavak!