Kesher Talk

What are these frilly things hanging everywhere in Judaism? These are called Tzitzit. AskMoses.com has a decent explanation of what they are and why:

:A. Tzitzit are the four-cornered, tasseled jersey worn by Jewish males as part of the Jewish dress code. “Tzitzit” means fringes, because technically, any four-cornered garment worn by males is Torah-required by Positive Mitzvah #14 to be strung with tassels. Since it’s a pain in the neck to string every shirt you own, the mitzvah is done by simply wearing a four-cornered jersey all the time, and putting the tassels on that.

B. The jersey is usually made of wool or cotton, and is generally worn under the shirt, with the tassels neatly tucked out at either hip. Some Chassidic groups have the custom of wearing the jersey on top of their white shirts.

C. Each tassel consists of four long white strings, hand-tied onto the jersey through pairs of holes just off each corner. After the first anchoring knot, a series of alternating spirals and knots form the first few inches of the tassel, with the loose strings creating the remainder. The finished product vaguely resembles a tasseled curtain drawstring.

What is the purpose of tzitzit?

1. The Jewish Boy Scouts

Next to the yarmulke or kipah, the tzitzit are what makes a Jewish guy stand out the most. On the simplest level, they’re part of your uniform. They remind you of who you are. “Why am I wearing these strings?” you may ask yourself one day. “Oh, that’s right—I’m Jewish.” They’re there to constantly keep you alert.

2. No Strings Attached

“But, why strings?” you ask. “Why not any other symbol?” Good question. Clothes make the man, and are very much a way of expressing who he is. Comes along G-d with His Torah, and says, “Whoever you are, add Me to the mix.” That’s why the tzitzit are attached to one’s wardrobe—denoting that at the fringes of the fabric, where the person’s identity begins, is where one’s Jewish identity begins too.

3. All in Knots

But the deepest reason of all, according to the Kabbalah, is that the tzitzit are a symbol of the 613 mitzvot. Yes, tzitzit are a pleasant ethnic trigger, reminding me of my Jewish heritage, but, so what? What do I do with it now that I’ve thought of it? Here’s how tzitzit symbolize the mitzvot: the five Hebrew letters that comprise the Hebrew word tzitzit each have a numerical value (the Hebrew alphabet doubles as a code of sorts), and the total numerical value of “tzitzit” adds up to 600. Now, add the numbers eight and five, as symbolized by the eight strings and five knots of each tassel, respectively, and presto! You’ve got 613. Wearing tzitzit, you are a walking symbol of all the 613 mitzvot. Don’t forget them.

posted by William @ 6/11/2003 08:23:58 AM