A gartel is the belt or sash worn by Chassidish men during davening to fulfill the halachic requirement of separating the heart from the lower body during prayer. At Eichlers, we carry leather and fabric gartels in a range of styles and sizes to suit every Chassidish community's minhag, from everyday davening to Shabbos and Yom Tov.
The word gartel comes from the Yiddish for belt. It refers to the sash or belt worn around the waist by Chassidish men before davening. The source for wearing a gartel comes from the requirement in halacha to create a separation between the heart and the lower parts of the body during prayer, a concept derived from the principle of hechsher mitzvah, preparing properly for a mitzvah. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 91:2) discusses the requirement to dress properly and prepare oneself before davening, and the Chassidish tradition adopted the gartel as the practical fulfillment of this concept.
Beyond the halachic dimension, the gartel carries deep spiritual significance in Chassidus. It represents the division between the higher and lower aspects of a person, the spiritual and the physical, and serves as a reminder during davening that one stands before Hashem. Many Chassidish masters taught that putting on a gartel before davening is itself an act of preparation that elevates the quality of tefillah. The Baal Shem Tov and subsequent Chassidish dynasties adopted the gartel as a fundamental part of davening dress, and it remains that way across most Chassidish communities today.
Leather gartels are the more formal and traditional style, widely worn in many Chassidish communities for Shabbos, Yom Tov, and special occasions. A well-made leather gartel has a firm, structured feel that sits neatly around the waist and holds its position throughout davening. Leather gartels are typically black and come with a simple clasp or buckle closure. With proper care, a quality leather gartel lasts many years.
Leather gartels vary in width, with narrower styles preferred in some communities and wider styles in others. The width and style of leather gartel worn is often a matter of family and community minhag passed down through generations. When buying a leather gartel for the first time, it's worth asking your Rov or a senior member of your community what the accepted standard is in your shul.
Fabric gartels, typically made from wool or a wool-blend, are softer and more flexible than leather and are the everyday davening choice for many Chassidish men. They wrap around the waist and tie or clasp at the front, conforming comfortably to the body without the stiffness of leather. Fabric gartels are easier to put on and take off quickly, which makes them practical for the multiple daily tefillos of Shacharis, Mincha, and Maariv.
Wool fabric gartels are machine-washable and easy to maintain. They're available in various lengths to accommodate different waist sizes and wrapping styles. Some men prefer a longer fabric gartel that allows for multiple wraps around the waist, following a specific Chassidish minhag for how the gartel is tied. Check the length listed on the product before purchasing if your community has a specific wrapping requirement.
The gartel is primarily a Chassidish practice. It is worn across most major Chassidish dynasties including Chabad, Satmar, Bobov, Belz, Ger, Vizhnitz, Breslov, and others. While the specific style of gartel, leather versus fabric, width, and tying method, varies by community and dynasty, the practice of wearing a gartel for davening is consistent throughout the Chassidish world.
Non-Chassidish Ashkenazi men, including those in yeshivish and Litvish communities, do not typically wear a gartel as part of their davening dress. Sephardic communities generally do not have a gartel minhag either. The gartel is specifically a Chassidish tradition rooted in the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Chassidish masters who followed him.
If your community wears leather for Shabbos and fabric for weekdays, you may want both. If you're buying your first gartel and are unsure of your community's standard, a fabric gartel is a practical starting point since it's comfortable, easy to care for, and suitable for daily use across most Chassidish communities. Ask a senior member of your shul or your Rov about what is customarily worn for weekday and Shabbos davening in your specific community.
Gartels are sized by waist measurement or by length in inches or centimeters. Fabric gartels are typically longer to allow for wrapping, while leather gartels are sized more like a standard belt. Measure your waist over your shirt and jacket, since a gartel is worn on top of your clothing during davening. If you're between sizes, go longer rather than shorter to ensure you have enough length for your community's wrapping style.
Many Chassidish men own two gartels: a fabric one for weekday davening and a finer leather one reserved for Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Yomim Noraim. If you daven multiple times a day, a fabric gartel is the more practical choice for daily wear since it goes on and comes off quickly and holds up well with regular use. A leather gartel reserved for special occasions stays in better condition over time when it isn't worn daily.
Fabric gartels can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle and hung to dry. Avoid high heat in the dryer to prevent shrinking or warping the fabric. Leather gartels should be kept away from moisture and wiped clean with a dry cloth when needed. Store a leather gartel flat or rolled loosely to prevent cracking and stiffening over time. A small amount of leather conditioner applied occasionally keeps the material supple and extends the life of the gartel significantly.
A gartel is one part of the complete davening wardrobe for Chassidish men. Eichlers carries everything else alongside it.
A gartel is worn around the waist by Chassidish men during davening to create a halachic separation between the heart and the lower body during prayer, fulfilling the requirement discussed in the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 91:2).
No. Wearing a gartel is a Chassidish practice rooted in the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. Yeshivish, Litvish, and Sephardic men do not typically wear one. It is standard across most major Chassidish communities and dynasties.
Leather gartels are more structured and formal, typically worn on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Fabric gartels are softer, more flexible, and easier to put on quickly, making them the practical choice for weekday davening. Many Chassidish men own both.
Measure your waist over your shirt and jacket since the gartel is worn on top of your davening clothing. If your community wraps the gartel multiple times, choose a longer fabric gartel. For leather, follow standard belt sizing and go up one size if between measurements.
Yes. A quality gartel is a thoughtful and practical gift for a Chassidish man or bar mitzvah boy entering a Chassidish community. Pair it with items from our bar mitzvah gifts collection for a meaningful and complete gift.
Fabric gartels can be machine-washed on a gentle cold cycle and hung to dry. Avoid high heat to prevent shrinking. Store flat or folded when not in use to keep the fabric in good shape between uses.
In most Chassidish communities, a boy begins wearing a gartel for davening at or around bar mitzvah age, though some families introduce it earlier. The exact age and occasion varies by community and dynasty. Ask your Rov about the custom in your specific shul.