|
|
Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on May 3, 2004 16:52:26 GMT -8
The Christian world has created numerous man maid paraphernalia/accessories that they add to their Christian wardrobe. Yet, have they done this because our Heavenly Father has instructed it?? Or, is this simply there own tradition, and personal attempts at honoring G'd? What do you think...is G'd honored more by man-made traditions, or by His children doing what HE has instructed? The answer seems obvious. If this seems obvious to you, does your life match up with the answer?? Open up the scripture to Numbers 15:37-40: "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes (tassles/tzitzis)in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe (tzitzis), that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of YHVH, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your G'd." And again, we see G'd (YHVH) commanding His children to do this in Deuteronomy 22:12.... "Thou shalt make thee fringes (tassels/tzitzis) upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself." One of the most apparent points of tzitzis is the fact that they involve a commandment related to the clothes we wear. The human practice of wearing clothing is virtually universal. Homo Sapiens is the only species to wear clothing. This has been the subject of study of philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and ethnologies for many years. Before sin came Adam and Eve were naked. Once they sinned they were ashamed because of their nakedness. It is interesting to see that the Hebrew word for "garment" is Le-bhush. This comes from the word "bush", which means "to be ashamed." The very structure of the Hebrew language indicates that clothing is worn because of  . Another Hebrew word for garment is "BeGed". This -has the same root as the word "BaGad", meaning, "to rebel." This indicates that man wears clothing because he originally rebelled against G'd. From all this, we could see that one of the main points for clothing could be to act as barrier against fleshly temptations. The word "tzitzis" has the same root as the word "tzutz", meaning, "to look". Tzitzis are therefore something to look at. One version of the  says of the tzitzis, "You shall see them, and not stray after your heart and after your eyes, which have led you to immorality." We are to honor our Heavenly Father in everything...including our clothing. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the L'rd, and not unto menColossians 3:23 We can wear crosses, "wwjd" bracelets, get tatoos, or have several other such things. But, do we suppose that our ways, and reminders are better than G-d's (YHVH)? We really should be careful about honoring G'd (YHVH) with our own traditions, especially if they are not according to His instructions like Nadab, and Abihu did. "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before YHVH, which he commanded them not." - Leviticus 10:1 Did G'd (YHVH) accept this form of worship, which was not according to His instructions?? See for yourself... "And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before YHVH." - Numbers 26:61 This can apply to all other forms of false worship such as Sunday worship, Christmas, Easter...etc. But, in this post let's stay focused on the tzitzis/tassles that G'd has commanded His children to wear. Usually, we don’t find out that G-d’s reminders/instructions are better than ours until we do what He asks us by faith. What is holding you back? Shalom, Reuel |
|
leyna
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by leyna on Apr 13, 2013 18:34:59 GMT -8
I started wearing them a couple of months ago. Being a woman, I fought against it a bit at first, claiming that women weren't supposed to wear them. But after studying it, I broke down and bought a few pair in different colors (always with the blue thread), and then learned how to make my own. I wear a katan most of the time, to fulfill the "4 cornered garment" mitzvah, but after studying that a bit, I realized that there were other passages that refers to "4 corners" in reference to things that are NOT 4 cornered...such as the Bible talks about how the saints will be gathered from the 4 corners of the earth....well, we all know that the earth does not have 4 corners! So I personally think the whole part about only wearing tzitzits when we have clothing that has 4 corners does not mean to be taken literally...because really-how many of us go around with 4 cornered clothing? But back in the day that the command was given, their clothing was probably always 4 cornered. Clothing styles are different now. I think the importance of the whole command is the wearing of the tzitzits, as a physical symbol/reminder to keep YaH's commands. In the winter, I wore mine attached to a sleeveless shirt that I had cut to have 4 corners-I made several of them to wear under my sweaters. But now that it is warmer, I'm not going to sweat in all those layers, so I just wear them attached to my belt loops or skirts, because again....the importance is the wearing of the tzitzits, not the details of whether our clothing has 4 corners, whether we are men or women, or whether anyone can see them, how long they are, etc. We should never make it more complicated than it is-no reason to add something to a simple command. At first I hid my tzitzits, not wanting to wear them at all. I worried about the length of them, not wanting to have people thinking I was trying to be "holier than thou" or whatever. I cut the length of my fringes fairly short, but still long enough to where I would see them sticking out of my shirts, or hanging from my skirts. Now I love my tzitzits, and look forward to pinning them on each morning, reminding me to thank YaH for His ! |
|
|
|
Post by messianicmama on Apr 13, 2013 19:42:14 GMT -8
My husband wears them. We don't know if the commandment was given to men or both sexes but at the time of Yeshua it was only men who wore them. Yeshua, being the prophet Wii would fulfill the , corrected any tradition or interpretation that contradicted the intent of the and women in tzitziyot was never mentioned. I don't think it's wrong for women to wear them but, as the spiritual priest of the home my husband wears them for us. I think if I were single I would wear them, but I don't know. Some consider then a man's garment and thus inappropriate for women to wear. What do you all think? |
|
|
|
Post by Yedidyah on Apr 14, 2013 9:19:16 GMT -8
My husband wears them. We don't know if the commandment was given to men or both sexes but at the time of Yeshua it was only men who wore them. Yeshua, being the prophet Wii would fulfill the , corrected any tradition or interpretation that contradicted the intent of the and women in tzitziyot was never mentioned. I don't think it's wrong for women to wear them but, as the spiritual priest of the home my husband wears them for us. I think if I were single I would wear them, but I don't know. Some consider then a man's garment and thus inappropriate for women to wear. What do you all think? The command was given to a mixed group. With Hebrew it always defaults to the masculine form of the word. So I think the command is for both male and female. Your husband is the covering of the family and him wearing them is a great start. What is your resource that shows that women did not wear them at the time of Yeshua? I have not been able to find much about the subject. Shalom! |
|
|
|
Post by messianicmama on Apr 14, 2013 12:02:27 GMT -8
My husband wears them. We don't know if the commandment was given to men or both sexes but at the time of Yeshua it was only men who wore them. Yeshua, being the prophet Wii would fulfill the , corrected any tradition or interpretation that contradicted the intent of the and women in tzitziyot was never mentioned. I don't think it's wrong for women to wear them but, as the spiritual priest of the home my husband wears them for us. I think if I were single I would wear them, but I don't know. Some consider then a man's garment and thus inappropriate for women to wear. What do you all think? The command was given to a mixed group. With Hebrew it always defaults to the masculine form of the word. So I think the command is for both male and female. Your husband is the covering of the family and him wearing them is a great start. What is your resource that shows that women did not wear them at the time of Yeshua? I have not been able to find much about the subject. Shalom! Let me compile what I have and I will get back to you. Blessings. |
|
|
|
Post by alon on Apr 14, 2013 22:46:37 GMT -8
Well, darn, now I'm feeling all disobedient ...
I don't wear tzit-tzit because it would cause a lot of strife with my wife. She is still very resistant to this whole Messianic thing, especially the parts that try to imitate Jewry. There's also the four cornered garment thing.
I see a lot of men wearing them on their belt-loops. Just doesn't seem right somehow. If I were to wear them I think I'd have to modify my wardrobe to all square tails and wear a tallit katan with tails out. And I have thought about it ... but I'd have to hogtie the wife soon after! 
Not casting any aspersions on anyone else's practices. It's just me; it's how I process things as I get into them more. I did get a tallit, but the plainest one available. I need to get some tzit-tzit with a blue thread for it though.
One thing at a time ...
Dan C
|
|
leyna
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by leyna on Apr 15, 2013 17:51:28 GMT -8
Well, darn, now I'm feeling all disobedient ... I don't wear tzit-tzit because it would cause a lot of strife with my wife. She is still very resistant to this whole Messianic thing, especially the parts that try to imitate Jewry. There's also the four cornered garment thing. I see a lot of men wearing them on their belt-loops. Just doesn't seem right somehow. If I were to wear them I think I'd have to modify my wardrobe to all square tails and wear a tallit katan with tails out. And I have thought about it ... but I'd have to hogtie the wife soon after! [img src=" ![]() .gif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.synagoguechm.com/images/ .gif"] [/img] Not casting any aspersions on anyone else's practices. It's just me; it's how I process things as I get into them more. I did get a tallit, but the plainest one available. I need to get some tzit-tzit with a blue thread for it though. One thing at a time ... Dan C [/quote] I know how hard it is to have a spouse who is resistant to your beliefs. When I got saved, my ex really opposed it. He "put up with it" for several years, then gave me a choice between him and Yeshua. I chose Yeshua, and my ex left. So I sure know how hard it is! But thankfully, what you can do is to pray that YHWH will open her heart to accept your beliefs. He can do it!! I wear homemade katans...I simply cut up tank tops and camisoles to where they have 4 corners. I am not sure how important it is to YHWH to have the katan part of it-I think the more important part is just wearing the tzitzit as a reminder of His commands. I go back and forth on it, but have not really prayed about the katan. |
|
Isha
New Member
Posts: 11
|
Post by Isha on Apr 15, 2013 21:03:31 GMT -8
The truth is this is not an option, but an instruction given by Elohim, so the question is who do you serve, if you don't wear them. If you are Israel,Elohims chosen nation you will wear them and be proud of then in the face of whoever may ridicule you.
|
|
|
|
Post by alon on Apr 15, 2013 22:20:45 GMT -8
It isn't ridicule that is the problem for me. It is my wife. She was raised a Jew. Her father and uncle escaped Germany about two steps ahead of the Brown Shirts- literally. He married a gentile though (her mother) who died when she was very young. He then remarried to a very high-strung Polish Jewish woman. She and her sisters were never good enough at home, and ridiculed at synagogue. She went back to the UK for her nephews Bar Mitzvah a few years ago, and even after all this time she got it thrown in her face that he'd "married out." So my embracing a form of Judaism is like a huge step back into something unpleasant.
At the same time, she has a problem with gentiles dressing and acting like Jews. We are not (physically), have not had the experiences or trials that Jews did. She is from a community that was almost wiped out, one generation removed from that experience. So it is also very insulting to her to see this. At the same time she was raised not to bring attention to her Jewishness as it was a very real danger to her fathers generation.
God called me to minister to my wife, and to lead the family. He did not call me to be a tyrant or to be insensitive to her feelings. I can see where these issues come from, and so am not too quick to just go ahead and wear things that would mark me as a "Jew."
Perhaps in time ...
Dan C
|
|
Isha
New Member
Posts: 11
|
Post by Isha on Apr 16, 2013 1:02:52 GMT -8
Our people have suffered greatly over the years gone by, and still suffer, it is painful to hear read and watch the history of Israel, it is clear though that the suffering came about through disobedience to , may we not make the same mistakes of our Fathers and cause our families to be sold into slavery, abused and cause us not to be part of the Kingdom to come. I will pray for you and your wife today at the second dedication of Israel. |
|
|
|
Post by alon on Apr 16, 2013 19:10:22 GMT -8
Todah! I can always use prayer!
Dan C
|
|
|
|
Post by Frank T. Clark on Apr 22, 2013 13:46:24 GMT -8
Fantastic subject. I am not criticizing anyone's practice. I will simply describe my understanding. We are all responsible to God to follow our best understanding of His truth.
I agree it is vitally important for any true believer, who truly intends to follow the Bible completely must wear the tassels (or tzitzit if you prefer, I don't find it important to use Jewish words in an everyday setting) when they understand the truth of what is required. I agree with the idea of recognizing "corners" does not need to be explicitly literal. I suspect they should be worn by men and women but since I am a man and I do not intend to tell anyone else what they should do it is not my place to push it on women.
I find the wearing of the tassels to be a fantastic opportunity to witness to those around me of the truth that we must obey all of God's Law.
Malachi 4:4 Remember the Law of Moses My servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, the statutes and judgments.
|
|
|
|
Post by Micha'el on Apr 22, 2013 20:38:33 GMT -8
Shalom All, Should I wear them or not? (The tassels) Every command that Adonai speaks to us needs our response. Will I obey and if so how? We can see that the command was spoken to a company of men and women as well as a mixed company. (Not just Israelis). I wear them to fulfill the command. They are a witness tool. The responses I have had are: “Are you Jewish?”, “You’re obviously not Jewish”? “Are you Messianic”? And then, “I was wondering what those threads you wear mean”. Each time I get a chance to share my faith. You will not catch me telling a “sister” that she needs to wear tassels, but I will ask a brother what is keeping him from wearing them. If I can help him fulfill the command to wear them I will. I have met some people who I am still in contact with. For those who have chosen not to wear them for the outward sign let me make this suggestion. I know a few men who wear them tucked in. They say they can feel them against their skin and it reminds them as the command says. This way you still fulfill the command and given time you will wear them out so you can see them. Micha”el  |
|
|
|
Post by alon on Apr 23, 2013 19:04:16 GMT -8
So three of these translations say you should look at the tzitziyot and remember. That seems to be the overwhelming consensus of the translations I have looked at. So how does tucking them in meet the standard?
Interesting note in my study TNK- in Canaanite and Mesopotamian cultures, priests and rulers wore fringes on their garments. When they sent a messenger, they would give him a fringe from their robes as a means of legitimized him. Imprinting a tassel on a clay tablet authenticated the message; touching the scroll with a tzitzit before reading is reminiscent of this. "Like garments and hair, fringes are considered part of an individuals identity, and by giving them to a ruler, the person is pledging his loyalty. It is no accident that the violet-blue wool chord that must be attached to the fringes is identical to the chord that hangs from the priests headdress (Ex 28:37). The tzitzit on the garments of the Israelites identifies them as being holy to God and symbolically connects them to the priests." It was a pledge of loyalty to both God and the priests who oversee His laws.
So is there any particular way a Messianic believer should knot their tzitzit? I suppose today the blue chord alone would identify you as Messianic.
Dan C
|
|
|
|
Post by Micha'el on Apr 23, 2013 20:43:20 GMT -8
[So three of these translations say you should look at the tzitziyot and remember. That seems to be the overwhelming consensus of the translations I have looked at. So how does tucking them in meet the standard?] I absolutely agree with there being a visible requirement. However, some who wear them out are not keeping the commands and some who tuck them in are following the commands more closely. Fortunately we are not in fear of our lives yet to be wearing them out. The person who tucks them in is not looking on them, true. However they did make the tassels, put a blue cord on it, and remember all the commands, they are just not able to "do" them by being able to look at them (the tassels)at any given moment. I would rather know a person is wearing their tassels tucked in instead of tied to their belt loops. That's my personal take. I am attaching a link for tieing here: www.synagoguechm.com/articles/tzitzit.pdfSome people are concerned with the material used and the dye used for the blue. I tie my own and the material comes from a trusted source in Israel. Micha'el |
|
. Another Hebrew word for garment is "BeGed". This -has the same root as the word "BaGad", meaning, "to rebel." This indicates that man wears clothing because he originally rebelled against G'd. 
says of the tzitzis, "You shall see them, and not stray after your heart and after your eyes, which have led you to immorality." We are to honor our Heavenly Father in everything...including our clothing.
.gif
