B"H

Thursday, Sivan 24, 5776 / June 30, 2016 - Hakhel year

The end of this week’s Parsha (in the Diaspora), Shlach, is about the mitzvah of Tzitzit.

The Torah says, “G-d spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, they should make for them Tzitzis(tassels/fringes) on the corners of their garments throughout their generations. They should place a thread of turquoise (wool) in the tzitzit of each corner…”

The Torah relates the purpose of the Tzitzit, “When you see it, you will remember all the commandments of G-d to perform them, and you will not follow after the spies; your hearts and your eyes, which lead you astray. So that you will remember and perform all My commandments and you will be holy unto your G-d. I am G-d, your G-d, Who took you out of the land of Egypt to be your

G-d. I am G-d your G-d.”

This mitzvah is performed each day of the year when we wear the Talit during the morning prayers. Many also wear a “small Talit” all the time, to perform the mitzvah of Tzitzit all day.

This portion of the Torah is recited together with the Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel) twice daily - during the morning service and in the evening service.

Q.Why do we recite this twicea day?

A.One of the 613 commandments is to remember the Exodus from Egypt every morning and every night. By reciting this portion of the Torah, in which we say, “I am G-d, your G-d, Who took you out of the land of Egypt to be your G-d,” we mention the Exodus and thus, fulfill the commandment.

Q.What does the Torah mean, “When you see it, you will remember all the commandmentsof G-d to perform them”? How does seeing the Tzitzit remind us of all the 613 mitzvot?

A.The numerical value of the Hebrew word “Tzitzit” equals; 600(90+10+90+10+400=600). There are 8 strings on each corner of the Talit and 5 knots, for a total of 13 (8+5=13). Together with the numerical value of the word Tzitzit which is 600, we have 613– the exact number of mitzvot.

Q.What does the Torah mean, “And you will not follow after the spies; your hearts and your eyes, which lead you astray.” Why is the heart and eyes called spies?

A. Our sages say that a person is introduced to sin through the eyes that see and the heart which desires a forbidden object. The spies which Moshe sent in the beginning of this week’s Parsha, to spy the land, misled the people, when they came back with a negative report, which resulted in their punishment. Thus, the Torah tells us the effect of looking at the Tzitzit is that we will remember the 613 mitzvot; “And you will not follow after the spies; your hearts and your eyes, which may lead you astray.”  

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY