What’s the deal with the biblical command to wear fringes?

Numbers 15:37–41. Tassels on the corners. The command to wear tzitzits on the corners of one’s garment was to act as a reminder to keep one from committing intentional sins, even as a wedding ring worn on the finger serves to remind one of one’s marriage covenant, and help keep one from committing adultery. This is why this command is placed directly after the warning against committing intentional sin (vv. 30–31), and the example of the man who committed intentional sin by gathering sticks on the Sabbath (vv. 32–36).

Corners. The ancient Israelites wore four cornered tunic-like garments. Why did YHVH instruct them to wear tzitzits on the four corners? This was likely to teach them that the Israelites’ Torah-based covenant with Elohim was there to box them in, to surround them, to remind them of their sworn obligations to Elohim,to keep them on the right path spiritually, and to protect them, so that they would receive Elohim’s blessings and be his representatives to the surrounding nations. With this view in mind, the shape of the garment is no longer the issue. That happened to be the style of clothing of that day. We no longer wear four-cornered garments. What matters is to wear four tzitzits on one’s four sides to represent our spiritual commitments to Elohim and our allegiance to his word, the Torah, and our understanding that his word will guide, direct, protect and bless us is we treasure it and adhere to it. Tzitzits are to our relationship with Elohim what a wedding ring is to our spousal relationship.

The Law of the Fringes Tzitzits 

Shofars, Davidic worship dance, prayer shawls (talit or tallit), a Torah scroll and tzitziyot (plural for ­tzitzit — fringes or tassels) all have something in common: they are hallmark symbols of those who are returning to the Hebrew roots of their faith. When a Christian begins to discover their ancient spiritual roots, it’s like coming home, or like a hand fitting into a glove. It’s not long before they begin acting out their renewed faith in a highly demonstrable manner such as growing beards, wearing fringes, blowing shofars, keeping the Sabbath and biblical feasts. Outsiders may view this as mere religious fanaticism and exhibitionism, but to the saint who truly feels that he has returned to his spiritual roots, these things are symbols of a faith that is more than superficial in nature. They represent a connectedness to his spiritual family tree, to the nation of Israel and eventually to the God of Israel, YHVH Elohim, the originator of that faith, family tree and nation.

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The Blue of the Tabernacle—Connecting the Finite to the Infinite

Exodus 26:1, Blue [tekelet] yarn. The blue used in the construction of the tabernacle was a special type of blue called tekelet or tekhelet blue color, which was the same color as the tzitzits or fringes that YHVH commanded the Israelites to wear on the fringes of their garments to remind them of their covenantal agreement with Elohim to obey his commands (Num 15:37–41).

We see here another purpose of the tekelet blue tzitzits. It was to remind the Israelites of the tabernacle, which contained the seven steps of the YHVH plan of salvation for man and in all ways pointed to Yeshua, who was man’s Redeemer and Savior.

Additionally, the veil separating the holy place and holy of holies and the main door of the tabernacle itself contained tekelet blue (vv. 31, 36). Wearing the tekelet blue fringes also reminded them of their special relationship with Elohim, since they were wearing his colors, and through their spiritual relationship with him, through the Messiah, they would not only be permitted to wear the colors of YHVH’s earthly abode, but could actually become his earthly abode as human temples of his Set-Apart Spirit (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16).

The word tekelet is used nearly 50 times in the Tanakh and almost always refers to the colors used in the tabernacle and later the temple, as well as to the special blue used in the priestly garments. It was also the royal blue of kings (1 Chron 2:7; Est 1:6; 8:15). 

This blue, according to Jewish tradition came from a sea animal in the Mediterranean called the chillazon. The problem is that no one now knows the identity of this animal. To this day, some rabbinic experts think this blue derives from a marine mollusk, while others thing it was from a squid. Whatever the case, this special blue was highly prized by ancient royalty. It is therefore fitting that this should be the color of heaven and of the King of kings, and that his children should wear it as a badge of honor identifying themselves as the children of the Almighty King, YHVH Elohim. 

Although, tekelet is the only word for blue found in the Tanakh, in the modern Hebrew dictionary, which is based largely on ancient Hebrew, tekelet is a specific shade of blue—azure, turquoise or even a purplish or violet blue. This is in contradistinction to kachol, which is the more generic word for dark blue or b’hiyl, which is the word for light blue.

Every place in the Scriptures were blue is used, it is this special shade of sky, turquoise or azure or tekelet blue. For example,

  • YHVH asked the Israelites to donate tekelet blue cloth for the tabernacle’s construction (Exod 25:4).
  • The curtains of the tabernacle contained tekelet blue (Exod 26:1, 4).
  • The veil separating the holy place and the holy of holies contained tekelet blue (Exod 26:31).
  • The veil separating the holy place and the holy of holies contained tekelet blue (Exod 26:31).
  • The outer door of the tabernacle contained tekelet blue (Exod 26:36).
  • The priestly garments (Exod 28:5, etc.).
  • The coverings for the tabernacle implements when being transported (Num 4:6, etc.).

 

How to Tie Tzitzit

I hope you will appreciate this vintage video I made a few years back. It was one of the first videos I did using my old i-Phone as a video camera, and is eighth most popular video (over 10k views) out of the 250 plus we have done to date. Please enjoy as you learn!

In this video, Natan Lawrence shows you how to make your own fringes or tzitzit (plural: tzitziyot). It’s fun and easy to fulfill the biblical command to wear fringes on your garments (Numbers 15:37-41). Free study guide available at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2013/03/24/the-law-of-the-fringes/.


 

Videos: Tying Tzitzit and the Law of the Fringes

In this video, Natan Lawrence teaches you about the curious biblical law of the fringes from Numbers 15:37–41 and how it relates to you. Learn about the prayer shawl and how it helps to point man to his Creator—YHVH Elohim. A free study guide is available at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2013/03/24/the-law-of-the-fringes/.

In this video, Natan Lawrence shows you how to make your own fringes or tzitzit (plural: tzitziyot). It’s fun and easy to fulfill the biblical command to wear fringes on your garments (Numbers 15:37–41). Free study guide available at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2013/03/24/the-law-of-the-fringes/.


 

Tzitzit — Don’t Leave Home Without Them!

Numbers 15:37–41. Tassels on the corners. The command to wear tzitzits on the corners of one’s garment was to act as a reminder to keep one from committing intentional sins, even as a wedding ring worn on the finger serves to remind one of one’s marriage covenant, and help keep one from committing adultery. This is why this command is placed directly after the warning against committing intentional sin (vv. 30–31), and the example of the man who committed intentional sin by gathering sticks on the Sabbath (vv. 32–36).

Tzitzit-2

A Brief Study on the Subject of Tzitzits. Shofars, Davidic worship dance, prayer shawls (talit or tallit), a Torah scroll and tzitziyot (plural for ­tzitzit — fringes or tassels) all have something in common: they are hallmark symbols of those who are returning to the Hebrew roots of their faith. When a Christian begins to discover their ancient spiritual roots, it’s like coming home, or like a hand fitting into a glove. It’s not long before they begin acting out their renewed faith in a highly demonstrable manner such as growing beards, wearing fringes, blowing shofars, keeping the Sabbath and biblical feasts. Outsiders may view this as mere religious fanaticism and exhibitionism, but to the saint who truly feels that he has returned to his spiritual roots, these things are symbols of a faith that is more than superficial in nature. They represent a connectedness to his spiritual family tree, to the nation of Israel and eventually to the God of Israel, YHVH Elohim, the originator of that faith, family tree and nation.

As a wedding ring symbolizes the covenantal agreement between spouses, so the blue fringes worn on the corners of one’s garments are an outward symbol of one’s spiritual commitment and devotion to the Elohim of Israel through obedience to his instructions in righteousness as found in the Torah portion of the Scriptures.

Indeed, it is not because of a man-made tradition, but because of a direct command in the Torah that redeemed Israelites wear tzitziyot, for we read in Numbers 15:37–41,

And YHVH spoke unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes [Heb. tzitziyot] in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that you may look upon it, and remember all the Continue reading


 

The Law of the Fringes and You

Shofars, Davidic worship dance, prayer shawls (talit or tallit), a Torah scroll and tzitziyot (plural for tzitzit) (fringes or tassels) all have something in common: they are hallmark symbols of those who are returning to the Hebrew roots of their faith. When a Christian begins to discover their ancient spiritual roots, it’s like coming home, or like a hand fitting into a glove. It’s not long before they begin acting out their renewed faith in a highly demonstrable manner such as growing beards, wearing fringes, blowing shofars, keeping the Sabbath and biblical feasts. Outsiders may view this as mere religious fanaticism and exhibitionism, but to the saint who truly feels that he has returned to his spiritual roots, these things are symbols of a faith that is more than superficial in nature. They represent a connectedness to his spiritual family tree, to the nation of Israel and eventually to the God of Israel, YHVH Elohim, the originator of that faith, family tree and nation.

tzitzitblue

As a wedding ring symbolizes the covenantal agreement between spouses, so the blue fringes worn on the corners of one’s garments are an outward symbol of one’s spiritual commitment and devotion to the Elohim of Israel through obedience to his instructions in righteousness as found in the Torah portion of the Scriptures.

Indeed, it is not because of a man-made tradition, but because of a direct command in the Torah that redeemed Israelites wear tzitziyot, for we read in Numbers 15:37–41,

And YHVH spoke unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes [Heb. tzitziyot] in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that you may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of YHVH, and do them; and that you seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to go a whoring, that you may remember, and do all my commandments, and be set apart unto your Elohim. I am YHVH your Elohim, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim: I am YHVH your Elohim.’”

In the eyes of YHVH, this command is serious enough that he repeated it again in Deuteronomy 22:12,

You shall make you fringes upon the four quarters [Heb. kanapah meaning “wings”] of your garments, wherewith you shall cover yourself.

Let’s discuss what is said in these two passages. Continue reading