What do tzitzit represent

Firstly, when initially tying the knots on the Tzitzit, one should ensure that the two ends of any given string are always on opposite sides of the knot. Thus in the event that two strings break:. If there are three broken strings, then ki'day aniva is not sufficient.

Rather, you will need a full-length string, since we require at least two complete strings, and there is a concern that these three ends may be of three different strings, leaving only one complete string. Only a four-cornered garment is required to have Tzitzit. A regular button-down dress shirt does not require Tzitzit, because it only has two "corners" in the front.

Similarly, a t-shirt does not require Tzitzit, as it has no corners. However, if one would cut a slit up the sides of the t-shirt so that a majority of the side is "open" , that would in effect create "four corners," and the t-shirt would require Tzitzit. Today, since four-cornered garments are not so common, we go out of our way to wear a four-cornered garment, in order to perform this important mitzvah.

Two articles of clothing are made for this purpose: the Tallit Katan the small cloak and the Tallit Gadol the large cloak. The Tallit Katan usually consists of a simple, white rectangular garment with a hole in the middle for the head.

For an adult, this should be at least 18 inches long on each side i. It need not be worn at night. Those who will not be wearing a Tallit Gadol later 30 see below , should recite the following blessing upon putting on the Tallit Katan: Ashkenazi Pronunciation Your browser does not support the audio element.

Sefardi Pronunciation Your browser does not support the audio element. When a Jewish boy turns three, he should be presented with his own Tallit Katan. The Tallit Gadol often called tallit, for short is a large white cloth with no hole in it. It is made to be worn specifically during morning prayers hence the term "prayer shawl".

The idea of wearing a special tallit during prayer is because we mention the Torah commandment of Tzitzit during a focal point of the prayers, the Shema. The cloth usually has black, white or blue stripes. Before donning the Tallit Gadol, one should check the strings to see that they are not tangled 39 or torn.

For the Tallit Gadol, the following blessing is recited 41 while standing. Immediately after reciting the blessing, the Tallit Gadol should be draped over the shoulders and then temporarily wrapped around the head while its end is thrown over the left shoulder. The reason for throwing to the left is because we want the tzitzit to protect us against the desires of the heart, which is tilted to the left, as is written in Numbers We then straighten out the tallit, so that two tzitzit are in the front and two in the back; two on the right and two on the left.

We are thus surrounded by the mitzvah of tzitzit. Afterwards, the tallit may be left resting just on the shoulders in a cape-like fashion. Some people keep it over their head for parts of the morning prayers, 47 as a way to increase concentration and to give a feeling of being enveloped by God's presence.

The tallit must be treated with respect. There are different opinions as to when a boy should begin to wear a Tallit Gadol. In some communities, boys begin at age 13; in other communities, they begin upon getting married.

There are many mitzvot in the Torah that are "positive time-bound mitzvot. Tzitzit is also a time-bound mitzvah since the mitzvah applies only during the daytime as implied by the verse "you shall see it" — which excludes Tzitzit at night. The Torah says that of the four threads at each corner, one thread should be of "techelet. In ancient times, this because this particular blue dye was very precious and valuable, the Romans who conquered Israel in 63 BCE decreed that only "blue-blooded" royalty could wear the color techelet.

By CE, at the time of the Arab conquest, the Jewish secret of techelet was lost all together. It is interesting that the series of stripes usually black or blue on just about every Tallit Gadol may have their origin as a reminder of the "strand of techelet" once worn as part of the Tzitzit.

In the late 19th century, a global search was launched to rediscover the original chilazon, the snail used to make techelet. Today, while some rabbinic scholars advocate wearing "techelet strings" from these snails, most rabbis remain unconvinced.

In the absence of certainty, most observant Jews wear only white Tzitzit, 60 which are still fit for use, even without the blue string. Shlomie decided to try out the new Chinese cleaners in town. He brought in his tallit to be cleaned. Photos courtesy of Oter Israel — oter-israel. Right-click the following link and select the save option to download a PDF version of this article:.

It's very common for Chinese to run cleaners, so it's in people's vocabulary. They certainly don't mean anything personal. Can you please remove the word "Chinese" from the joke? It's completely irrelevant. Thank you for a great site! Tzitzit demonstrated that the wearer was more than a commoner—he was a noble or a royal personage.

The colors of the tzitzit also carried meaning. Among the white cords on each tassel there was one blue strand. This color combination was part of the trappings of royalty:. There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and Esther Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple.

Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles. Numbers You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. Exodus You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. While the color symbolized royalty, the fabric of the fringed garment stood for priestly holiness. They shall make the ephod of gold and blue and purple and scarlet thread, and fine linen thread. And a sash of fine linen and blue and purple and scarlet thread woven as the L ORD had commanded Moses.

Early rabbinic sources, perhaps reflecting the still earlier biblical practice, taught that the tzitzit were made of this very combination of wool and linen. The blue cord was wool, the other threads, linen. In other words, for this purpose only, the common Israelite would wear a garment similar to that of the priests. Tzitzit were used to remind Israel of God and His commandments.

But why would a common Israelite wear garments of authority, royalty, priesthood, and holiness? Just as Israel had priests who mediated between God and the people, the people as a whole were to be a kingdom of priests to mediate between God and the nations.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant , you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The tzitzit was a physical reminder to the Israelites of who they were, who God was, and what He required of them.

The rabbis have developed many laws pertaining to the tallit and tzitzit, in addition to what is found in the Bible:. Open gallery view. Tzitziot traditionally have light blue tassles. Click the alert icon to follow topics: Judaism Jewish World Jewish culture. Men Are Causing the Climate Crisis. Women Have the Solutions. Qatar to Act as U.

Diplomatic Representative in Afghanistan, Official Says. Tel Aviv Is Over.