B"H
Thursday, Sivan 23, 5785 / June 19, 2025
The mitzvah (commandment) of Tzitzit, is found at the end of this week’s Parsha, Shlach. Concerning this mitzvah the Torah says, “You shall see them and remember ALL of G-d’s mitzvot and you shall perform them..” This mitzvah is performed each day by wearing the Talit during the morning prayers and the small Talit each day.
The Talit has four corners. On each of the corners we insert Tzitzit. Each of the four Tzitzit is made of four strings which are folded over, thus becoming eight. There are five knots in every tzitzah. One of the four strings is longer than the others. It is wrapped around the other strings between the knots. The number of wrappings is: 7– 8– 11– 13. Thus, between the five knots there are a total of 39wrappings.
Q.How do the Tzitzit remind us of ALLof G-d’s mitzvot?
A. In the Torah there are 613 mitzvot. The numerical value of the Hebrew word TZITZITis 600. The Titzit are made up of 8 strings and 5 knots. Thus together (600+13) they number 613.
Q.What is the significance of the thirty-nine wrappings as related to the Tzitzit?
A.The purpose of the Tzitzit is to remind us of all of G-d’s mitzvot. The portion of Tzitzit ends with, “I am G-d your G-d.” This portion is recited daily together with the portion of the Torah, “Hear O Israel G-d is our G-d, G-d is One.” The numerical value of G-d’s Hebrew name is 26. The numerical value of the Hebrew word ONE(“G-dis One”) is 13. The 39wrappings alludes to this idea – G-dis One (26+13=39).
Q.Many observe this mitzvah all day long by wearing a small Talit on top or under their shirt. Why do some people have their Tzitzit hanging out?
A.This is based on the words of this Parsha concerning Tzitzit, “You will see it and you will remember all the commandments of G-d to perform them…” By leaving the Tzitzit out they can be seen all the time.
Q. Every morning, except on Shabbat and Yom Tov, when we pray with the Talit and Tefillin, we put on the Talit firstthen the Tefillin. Why do we put on the Talit first?
A. The general rule is that when we have to perform two mitzvot at the same time, the one which is more regular comes first. The Talit we wear every day of the year, the Tefillin we do not wear on Shabbat and holidays. Thus, the Talit is a more regularly performed mitzvah and thus is put on first.
Q.What is the meaning of the word, “Tzitzit”?
A.One explanation by Rashi is that “Tzitzit” comes from the word, “Maytzitz,” which means, “to see.” Because lookingat the strings of the Tzitzit reminds us of the mitzvot, they are called Tzitzit.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHABBAT SHALOM
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