Dress Blues
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.” Numbers 15:38 NASB
Tassels – So what about tzitzit? The translation “tassels” or “fringes” renders the technical term tzitzit, a woven strand of blue and white threads attached to the corners of a man’s outer garment. According to this commandment, the “sons” of Israel are to make and wear these throughout their generations. Does that mean you and I should be wearing tzitzit?
We start answering this question by noticing how tradition and rabbinic explanation alters the plain meaning of the text. First is the historical precedent that this is not obligatory for women (Kiddushin 34a). A woman could wear tzitzit, but was not expected to. That comes from the interpretation of “sons” of Israel. Notice that if this applies only to men, then only men should also make tzitzit. Furthermore, it appears that each person is to make his own.
Secondly, the rabbis taught that in each tzitzit there should be seven white threads and one blue thread. Is there Scriptural justification for this? And what happened when the Temple was destroyed and the art of using the dye of the chilazon mollusk was lost? Rabbinic teaching solved the problem. The absence of the blue thread does not render the rest of the tzitzit invalid.
Finally notice that tzitzit are to be attached to the corners of a garment. Not belt loops. Not pockets. Not with clips to clothing without corners. The strict commandment involves the way clothing was made in the 16th century BCE. Today things are different.
But all of this is resolved in the next verse. What is the purpose of tzitzit? To remind you every time you see them that you are to keep all the commandments of YHWH and not follow the ways of any foreign god. In other words, tzitzit are visible signs of your commitment to God. They are identity markers. They are for you and about you. They don’t do much good if you and others can’t see them. People who put them on are expressing their desire to follow all the mitzvot even if they don’t strictly adhere to the exact requirements of this mitzvah. The intention is good. Some leeway is granted. On the other hand, strict adherence means I don’t attach tzitzit to my no-corner shirts even though I know I am under His mitzvot. I have seen tzitzit in “fashion” colors like pink and green. What’s with that? Again, intention is important. After the destruction of the Temple, Jews still wore tzitzit even if they did not have a blue thread. There are mitigating circumstances.
But what about those who decide not to wear them at all even if the proper conditions apply? Ah, isn’t that like a drop of rebellion in a bowl of affirmation?
Topical Index: tzitzit, tassels, Numbers 15:38
Good morning Skip, in my understanding and I may be wrong ? I read this verse to say the edges of one’s garments. The reference in Deut 22:12 is the Hebrew word GADIL where it speaks of the four corners. The word in Numbers 15 does not speak of corners but the edges of your garments? Please can you shed a little more light on this for us.
Shalom
Shalom Dave. Funny todays word, i only mentioned Sat that these were next for me to attain better understanding for. Yesterday i saw a link to making your tassles. And also my query was unto which garment. So todays topic anwers much whilst bits are some to go work out. Simon
I found the following on Ask Moses.com
It is proper for everyone to be eager to wear Tzitzit throughout the day, so that he will remember the mitzvahs at every moment. However, even one who cannot wear tzitzit throughout the day should at least make a point of wearing tzitzit during the time he recites the Shema and prays.
The Talmud (Menachot 43b) tells us that “whoever observes the mitzvah of tzitzit meticulously will be found worthy of beholding the Divine Presence.”
And is not healing to be found in the wings?
My experience with Tzitzit is minimal at best
Does healing mean we are not affected by our awareness of past misdeeds?
If so, then some healing has occurred over or under the wings of time
Hi All,
Personally I have found it challenging but in a good way. It has stretched my boundaries and commitments in displaying my association and affection for G-d. It works too, it’s difficult to slip back into your ways and to follow the norm when you have attached these reminders to yourself. It’s like nailing your colours to the mast but at the same time as it has recently been shared by some, it is the blossoming of Him in our lives. I have found with Torah and walking on this path that the Lord knows us and our hearts, he knows every pitfall and what he has for us is good. Everything he says we will do, even before they heard it on the mountain. It all raises the level of consciousness in our lives of a relationship that is real and not imaginary and superficial. I’d encourage anyone to try it and see (the Lord is good). I’m also aware of the difficulties it might cause some at their place of work etc. so I try and be sensitive to that without hiding but more and more it’s harder to hide that blossoming. Have a look at a recent video I found this week…
http://youtu.be/htqSF-PvJ00 on the root word for tzittzit, I ‘m not an expert so I hope it’s helpful.
“Does that mean you and I should be wearing tzitzit?”
The answer is yes, sons and daughters, if they are in the covenant. Why? Because that’s what “sons” means in this case. Sometimes “sons” means just that – and sometimes not. As always, context rules. But it does not apply to someone who has not agreed to enter into the covenant. It’s not “Messianic decoration,” or “Hebrew Roots garb” but rather a sign of having entered into a covenant. And of course, that means Shabbat, moedim, food laws, family purity, the list goes on. Not everyone is willing to do it. But the tzitziyot should not be worn simply for decoration. That is not a road you would want to go down. This is not a game.
I do get a long stare sometimes from young Orthodox kids because I wear them; but they are too young yet, perhaps, to understand the difference between halakahah and minhagim. In our community, it is the minhag that women wear the tzitziyot, as well as those who have reached bar/bat mitzvah. And as we move toward replacing old shirts with four-cornered ones, the corners get fashioned with grommets or finished off with a whipstitch, and the tzitziyot are worn on the corners. Some wear the tallit katan. Some still wear them on belt loops. We are not all in the same place with our “stringency.” And not everyone wears them – yet. I see women struggle with this more than men, I think because of the influence of the Orthodox custom. They don’t know which laws apply to them. But then one day, a woman finally understands that she IS a child of the Most High, and she IS covenant Yisrael, and she learns to tie tzitziyot. It is good to see the Ruach at work in our community on this subject.
Do you think Rav Shaul wore them? Guessing so. Do you think he refrained from wearing them when speaking to Gentiles? Did he buy and sell on Shabbat when in the presence of Gentiles? I’m guessing not. I could be wrong. I do understand that not everyone is in the same place with their observance of the commandments. It’s a process. But it is important that we provoke one another toward good works.
Of course, the Orthodox custom is for no blue string. But I met a Jewish man, a shop owner along Ben Yehuda, who wore a string of blue. I asked him why? Was he a Karaite? He said simply, and firmly, making sure he had caught my eyes, “Because I am a Jew.” So what does this mean? Is he rebellious? Perhaps to some who have a different minhag. What about people who wear multicolored tzitziyot, are they rebellious? Not in my eyes; it makes me smile. The instruction is for a blue string, and if you look carefully, they have it. Why the rainbow? I think it’s because lots of Ephraimites are thrilled to have found out who they are, and they are celebrating. Is that wrong? It is not my job to look into someone’s heart, B”H. But we do not have to wait until there are “proper conditions.” We just obey, because it is in our hearts to do so, because we love YHVH. And in doing so, He sees that, and as Yeshua said, “reveals Himself” to us.
Amen. Let it be unto you a Joyous thing, for our obedience brings much Joy. ” Come taste and see that The Lord is good”. Unless we have tasted, we cannot truly offer a balanced opinion, yes we can interprate scripture, but let our hearts as above mentioned, be to follow our Lords example. And taste of these Mitzvah’s. To go this way as such, is truly Life. Shalom
Is it looked down upon to put them on your belt loops? I’m only 1 year into my studying and of all of this. I don’t wear 4 corners garb so I figured that belt loops was the best I had going for me. Sounds like you have experience with this so I wanted to ask for you ten cents if you will.
I assume that the reason people wear tzitzit is to show their honor and respect for God’s commandments and to identify Him as their Lord, so with that in mind, I welcome the display. I just wanted to point out that belt loops isn’t exactly what the commandment says. But, of course, I haven’t yet seen a house with the commandments actually written on the door posts either. We all make cultural compromises but God knows our hearts.
Thanks for the reply Skip! For me personally I figure I just want to separate myself from, “The Nations”. My impression was that tzitzit are an outward expression (or reminder) of an inward change. So if the inward change hasn’t happened, then wearing something outwardly is not only hypocritical but you are actually being a bad ambassador to the Holy One. But I understand that that text says what the text says. I thought our heart was wicked hahah. I know what you are saying though, you can do the best you can with what you got – have to macgyver some things.
You haven’t been to Ryan White’s house yet 😉
Lori,
I wholeheartedly agree with you! Thanks for taking the time to express your perspective. 🙂
Thank-you for sharing this. I thought of that same question about “sons”, and it’s nice to know there are some communities out there that allow some time for integration.
Skip, this is, of course, a topic of debate among many I know. From my undestanding the word used in this command for “sons” is the same word used for all the commands given to Israel. The word is used not just for men but for a people, tribe, clan… Is my study and understanding wrong? If not, than this command is for women as well as men?
Dear Skip,
Great Subject and one SO dear to my heart!
Tzitzit, of many applications.
I was once puzzled, then distressed about the colors. It seemed that the expansion of “everything Biblical” by Joseph’s sons was disrespectful of the traditional applications of Our Father’s instructions to Moses. The systems worked to preserve God’s people for millennia, then WE come along and “FIX” it.
After much prayer over being distressed every time I saw this “distortion” of application, I had to wonder since God gave each tribe its stone of color, will we be able to know which tribe a person is from by what color he also has wrapped with his blue on his tzitzit? I don’t know, but for some reason the very thought of it removed the distress and I rejoiced.
Corners, interesting problem and everyone has a “different side” or “edge” on the issue. I am a retired tailor so this one is fun for me. Oddly, all bodies have four sides. We all have four edges:
east, south, west, north
front right, front left, back left and back right.
From no matter what direction we are seen, we are witnesses.
Oh. How LOVELY are thy tzitzit!
Thanks Skip, for the venue to speak of Wonderful Threads!
It would appear dear brothers and sisters that Our Lord is doing something Globally in these days that man cannot fathom, for the Spirit truly is preparing a ” Bride” one that holds unto His Mitzvah’s. Amen
I think it would be a good reminder, and it’s in the book for a reason right?
Does anyone have a link or video on how to actually make them?
I would like to not only have some, but make them myself.
Thank You
Paul Nison posted a clip on u tube “How to make Tzitzit fringes
Some excellent comments today on Tzitzits.
My experience with tzitzits is:
I have found value in wearing them – they definitely remind me to praise my God throughout the day and to try to keep in line. And that is the main point about them. YHVH gave us this command to REMIND us – and everyone who wears them know that it works! And God knows the human propensity to forget! So it certainly advantageous to wear them.
Here I think, questioning whether we should wear them on belt loops on not is a non issue to me. Should women wear them? Of course! Last time I checked, I notice women have the propensity to forget too!! Buy them or make them? There is probably a benefit in getting involved in making them for oneself but it its hardly the main issue.
I think it is good to keep in mind that Tzitzits are an intimate and personal part of our spiritual relationship with our Father. If we wear them just for show, then we are missing the point completely. What about those who do not choose to wear them? It’s none of your business or my business! We do not need to be judging anyone else on such issues.
Shalom
When I have worn them there have been encounter s with people that have been shall I say interesting. But, the biggest thing is the way my heart seems to soar towards our Father, the sense of this is where I belong. Thanks for all the encouragement from sisters who wear them as well!
Skip,
Have you worn or are you now wearing the tzitzits? And if so, have you found doing so valuable in your life?
Love this.
I have them sprinkled through my home, hanging from different vantage points and they are my favorite bookmarks for when i’m reading scripture.
But i have, surprisingly, never worn them.
But I love the “Dress Blues” concept. Every Marine would.
“To remind you every time you see them that you are to keep all the commandments of YHWH and not follow the ways of any foreign god. In other words, tzitzit are visible signs of your commitment to God. They are identity markers. They are for you and about you. ”
And certainly “the intention is important”!
We do get so easily distracted, at times to compromise, when we are outdoors, mingling with those who do not walk in ABBA’s ways, so tying my tzittzit
to my handbag, though may not “strictly adhere to the exact requirements of this mitzvah”, I am constantly reminded of my journey with ABBA in a world filled with corruption and wickedness.
Be blessed with courage not so much as an identity, but to remember Whose we are, to wear/put on the tziztzit.
Shalom!
I haven’t read all the comments yet, but what’s interesting is this verse in Deut.22:12.
Deut. 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
According to this verse they should be placed on the “four quarters” of the garment. This word is also used in Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:12
And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the “four corners” of the earth.
Obviously the earth doesn’t have “four corners” so the point becomes that the tzitzit should be worn on four separate sections of the garment. It doesn’t NEED to be on “corners”. They COULD BE on belt loops, on pockets, or even clipped to clothing.
What I’ve learned about tzit tziyot (plural) is that I believe they are for everyone who has entered into covenant with YHVH.
The first time I put them on, finally, I had a visceral experience. It was out there. I was simultaneously bared and clothed by these. It was pretty cool.
Looking at tassels in the context of the ancient near East, one will find that these were exclusive markers for those of the elite. Only royalty, priests and otherwise chosen were allowed to wear these as an outward mark of their station and or authority. If you look at some pics of the pharaohs you will find tassels hanging from their garments and from their ‘life & death’ scepters. These clothing markers distinguished the wearers as singularly ‘authorized’. Now it makes sense that God wanted all His people to wear these outer signs as a declaration of being His people – designating each one as the nation of kings and priests. Don’t let the word ‘king’ fool you into thinking this just applied to men, it was I believe more aptly rendered – “royalty” and priests.
Like Ester said above, these are outward signs not only to ourselves but for OTHERS to see as well. While the Shabbat is also a marker, you can’t tell by looking at someone if they observe it, only the Lord would be able to see that. But tzit tziyot – well now, that’s a different story.
And who is ‘the Jew’ that the ten of all languages will grab a hold of? Yeshua I’m thinking. The one who will bring healing and reconciliation in gathering and rejoining the lost 10 tribes.
Zec 8:23 This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: “In the future, ten men speaking all the languages of the nations will grab hold of one Jewish person by the hem of his garment and say, ‘Let us go up to Jerusalem with you, because we heard that God is with you.'”
It would be an interesting proposition that all people have to do to avoid wearing tzitzit on the ‘corners’ of their garments is merely to tuck the corners out of sight inside another garment. Would that be an example of straining out gnats?