Take the tour ×  I have heard reference to a large, square
garment used by poor for sleeping. I have also heard that it
is/was so important that it was forbidden to ask it as
collateral for a loan.  My question(s): does this garment have a
proper name? Does it have any relationship to the tallis as we
know it today?  share|improve this question blanket?....... – 
Shmuel Brin Jul 5 at 2:16 @EricBrown, why do you think something
called s'micha doesn't fit the bill? Is there some knowledge of
this garment that you have and are hiding from us? :-)
Seriously, asking a question with all your cards showing will
help you get the answer you seek. –  msh210 Jul 5 at 5:28 add
comment  1 Answer  up vote 2 down vote accepted  The torah
actually does permit taking a poor man's garment as pledge for a
loan. However, Devarim 24:13 says it must be returned to him at
night -- he needs it to sleep in. The text here is not specific
about the type of garment, but from context it sounds like it
would be a wrap, cloak, or other ite