[Avodah] atifat tallit

[D&E-H Bannett]

Re: <<The geonim say one should wear the tallit like atifat 
hayishmaelim.
The question is why is the proper way to wear a tallit 
governed by
what Arabs do?>>.

It appears to me that this is one of the answers to the 
halakhic question of how much 'ituf (covering) is required 
to fulfill "l'hit'atef" when making the b'rakha.

As the Arabs wrap themselves very completely, often leaving 
only their eyes showing, they are a good example of how to 
do the 'ituf.

David