Question:
Is it a sin for a single Ashkenazi (not a yekkie) male to wear a tallis gadol? Is one allowed to wear one? I’m confused. Thank you and Shabbat shalom.
Answer:
There are different minhagim regarding wearing a tallis gadol for a person that is not married. Most Ashkenazim have the minhag not to wear it, and it is based on the fathers of Ashkenazi minhagim, (Maharil and others). It is hard to say that it is a “sin” to wear it when there are parts of klal yisroel that have the minhag to wear it, however in general a person should stick to the minhagim of his family. If you have a specific reason to change from your family minhag, let us know and we can discuss it.
Best wishes