How do you tie your tzitzit?

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

How do you tie your tzitzit? Their are a variety of ways to tie tzitziyot. Please explain how you tie yours, and the significance of the tradition you follow.

Shalom,

Reuel

[LovingNeighbor]

Shalom all,
well, I don't know how many people make thier tzitzit, but I made mine. I have read various sources on tying them, I think most on the tallits are tied in a kabbalistic manner as far as the number of wraps. I like to use the numerical value of the fathers name, I use 3 white strings and one blue one, the 3 whites i fold in half making 6 ends combined with the seventh blue one to me represents the sabbath and return of Yahushuah. I tie two knots that to me represent the two testaments and then wrap the blue string after the knots in corresponding times according to the number value of the letters of the Fathers name 2knots-Y10wraps-2Knots-H5wraps-2Knots-W6wraps-2Knots-H5wraps-2Knots.
Most I see sold though use the Fathers name in motion from kabbalism and add one number to each letter of the fathers name so each one gets an adittional wrap
so instead of 10--5--6--5=26 they have 11--6--7--6 = 30
they believe YHWH is never still he is always alive so his name would look like KWZW pronounced Koozoo but I don't belive this stuff it gets a little mistical for me and also I think does the same disrespect and breaking of the 3rd commandment by messing with his name as the english translations to the lord have done.

Shalom

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

LovingNeighbor,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the subject of tzitzit (Numbers 15:38) tying! What do you think, should they always be visible to the wearer?

Does anybody else have a particular way of doing it with spiritual significance?

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[LovingNeighbor]

Shalom all,
Well, It says that you may look upon them and remember the commandments, so this is why I wear them on the pants all the time, I do not have long ones like many people because it is not for a display but for the wearer to look upon and remember to keep the commandments. and that is why I don't use the prayer shawl tallit becuase if you only wear them when you pray or on sabbath, them I don't think your keeping the command as it says to have them so you may look on them if your wearing your tallit all the time, then I think this is ok.
Shalom

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Wouldn't it be true that sometimes your tzitzit would need to be a bit longer to see them with some of the clothes that you wear that may keep very small tziztiyot hidden? Also, this may be especially necessary if one interprets the mitzvah to say that the tzitztit is to be worn on a four cornered garment such as the tallit ketan (small tallit). For those of you whom have never seen a tallit ketan, here is a picture:

Much of Judaism practices this because it is indeed necessary to have a longer tzitzit that can be seen when it is warn underneath ones shirt, or if one tucks in his shirt the tzitzit must be long enough to come back out and be visible. I agree that they should be warn at all times, and not just on shabbat with the use of a tallit gadol (large tallit).

Example of Tallit gadol:

In regards to the tallit, this is just one way we can set apart Shabbat, and the moedim with a special garment that glorifies our Heavenly Father's . We can see this as a biblical model as the priesthood of YHVH wore beautiful, set-apart garments during the moedim. These are just my thoughts, and my practices to fulfill, and make His Kadosh. I do employ both types of tallits as seen above. One for daily wear, and the other for the special times of YHVH (although, am also wearing my tallit ketan). It may not be the way that everyone chooses, and I do not imply that anybody must follow these ways. What is important is to keep the mitzvah (commandment), and there are many ways, and expressions that one may do this.

Shalom chaver,

Reuel

[LovingNeighbor]

Shalom,
Num 15:38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue:

here I read this as in the borders of your garments not it has to be a four cornered garment, but that the four corners are the placement of the fringes on the garment,
Also the word used is beggedayeem for garments which is plural. this would imply that the fringes were to be put on multiple garments not a reference to a special garment.

My thought on length I guess was just that i think it can be a pride issue like the shofar who has the biggest longest one, I don't see these being worn for people to notice them but like our prayer it for us in private and they should be able to be seen by the wearer although I don't think this means that they have to be down to your knees.

Num 15:39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Shalom

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

here I read this as in the borders of your garments not it has to be a four cornered garment, but that the four corners are the placement of the fringes on the garment

Yes, and wouldn't you have to have a four cornered garment to place the tzitzityot on the four corners?

My thought on length I guess was just that i think it can be a pride issue like the shofar who has the biggest longest one

No doubt this can be the issue with some people. But, shouldnt we boast in that we know Adonai? And, is not the tzitzit a testament of this?

I don't see these being worn for people to notice them but like our prayer it for us in private and they should be able to be seen by the wearer although I don't think this means that they have to be down to your knees.

I think that it is easy to judge other peoples motives on how they wear their tzitzit, and we should careful about doing this. But, I believe the tzitzit is the uniform of Israel, and should be readily seen by the wearer, and their brothers. I am not saying that they need to be down to the knees. This is up to the individual, and only Adonai knows their heart. Keep in mind that the tzitzit is also a testimony unto Adonai in which he has used many times in my life to witness to others in regards to HIM. Also, when we see the tzitzit on our other brothers it acts in the same manner as if we see them on ourselves. The walk of is not an isolated one in which it is just us, and G'd. Therefore, I also believe that the tzitizit is meant for everyone to see as it is also reminder for them. We are not the only ones that need reminding.

Shalom achi,

Reuel

[LovingNeighbor]

Shalom,
Eze 7:2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
does this mean the land is a square shape or does it mean upon the borders?

The command is actually to put them on the borders, or corners there is no specification of 4 i don't think, if you have a verse please share.
Shalom

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Shalom brother

I just want to say that I have been enjoying our conversation. In regards to the tztizit being attached to a four cornered garment...many that understand the Hebrew do indeed interpret this to be the case. I am not saying that you do not understand the Hebrew, or must accept this...only that this is the reason why many that do interpret the Hebrew to mean a four-cornered garment would have a longer tzitzit. But, let us take a deeper look at the possibilities of it really actually being a four cornered garment

Let us take a look at the scripture passages:

"Speak to the children of Yisra'el, and bid those who they make them tzitziyot in the borders (quarter(s)) of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the tzitzit of each border a cord of blue: and it shall be to you for a tzitzit, that you may look on it, and remember all the mitzvot of YHVH, and do them; and that you not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute; that you may remember and do all my mitzvot, and be holy to your G'd."
- Numbers 15:38-40

The word Border(s), or quarter(s) (in some versions) is the Hebrew word kânâph (H3671)
pronounced: kaw-nawf'

(From H3670) It means: an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bed clothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle: - + bird, border, corner, end, feather [-ed], X flying, + (one an-) other, overspreading, X quarters, skirt, X sort, uttermost part, wing ([-ed]).

Not only does history (how it was observed in the past) lend validity to this interpretation as being on actual four corners, but the following passage also strengthens this possibility...

"You shall make you tzitziyot on the four borders (quarters) of your cloak, with which you cover yourself."
- Deuteronomy 22:12

This does indicate that there are to be "four" distinct areas upon which we are to place the tzitzit in which a valid rendering of "border", or "quarter" can indeed mean an edge of a four cornered garment. This is just my, and many other's interpretation of this, and why we do wear a longer tzitzit to accomodate such a garment. Again, I am not trying to demonstrate that this is the -only way- this must be done...only why we do it.

Shalom brother,

Reuel

[Frank T. Clark]

This is extremely interesting to me. I am still learning to follow the law of the Lord I love. Since His law describes it I feel a strong desire to follow. Is it acceptable for me, born a Gentile to wear tzitzit?

I wear nothing but a simple shirt and pants. I wear no undershirts, coats, or jackets of any sort. Would it be acceptable to have four tzitzit i clip to what I am wearing?

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

This is extremely interesting to me. I am still learning to follow the law of the Lord I love. Since His law describes it I feel a strong desire to follow. Is it acceptable for me, born a Gentile to wear tzitzit?

If YHVH's has been written on you heart...absolutely! We see one of the passages that describes the mitzvah (commandment) of the tzitzit in Numbers 15:38...but, about 18 verses earlier we see the following statement...

"One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before YHVH. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you."
- Numbers 15:15-16

If you have been truly joined to Israel, than the above statement would apply to you. There are many other similar statements all throughout The , and the scriptures. Of course sanctification is a process as we see in Acts chapter 15.

I wear nothing but a simple shirt and pants. I wear no undershirts, coats, or jackets of any sort. Would it be acceptable to have four tzitzit i clip to what I am wearing?

I would reccommend trying a tallit ketan to fulfill this mitzvah. You can either purchase one, or make your own. Usually a tallit ketan is open on the sides, therefore does not become too hot when worn underneath a shirt. Some of my brothers will wear the tzitzit on the four quarters of the pants that they wear which is their choice (not mine), and I don't judge them for it. Until you get, or make a tallit ketan...wearing them on the four quarters of your pants may be the quickest way. One of the reasons I don't do this is because to many observant Jews this is not correct, and I don't want to cause my brother to stumble because of how I wear my tzitziyot (tzitzis).

Here are few links to show you how to tie the tztitzit according to a popular tradition that not only bears the Father's name, but points to the 613 mitzvah of His :

www.foreveryjew.com/child-tzitzit.html

israelvisit.co.il/beged-ivri/techelet/tyingA-1.htm

www.judaicartkits.com/catalog/tzitzit_options.htm

If you, or anybody wishes to purchase a tallit, or a tallit ketan, here is a link to a Messianic Judaica supplier that I reccommend supporting with your purchases:

shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.ACCT80159/sc.2/category.20/it.A/id.508/.f

You will need to probably copy the whole link and paste it into your browser as the link is not activating properly.

I think you will understand this commandment more clearly, and all of it's benefits once you have observed it for a time as is usually the case for all of G-d's commandments.

Baruch ata Adonai Elohenu Melech haolam, asher kidishanu bamitzvatov vitzivanu al mitzvot tzitzit.

(Blessed are You L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us regarding the commandment of tzitzit.)

Shalom brother,

Reuel

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

In response to a portion of LovingNeighbor's June 16th response in which he stated:

Most I see sold though use the Fathers name in motion from kabbalism and add one number to each letter of the fathers name so each one gets an adittional wrap
so instead of 10--5--6--5=26 they have 11--6--7--6 = 30
they believe YHWH is never still he is always alive so his name would look like KWZW pronounced Koozoo but I don't belive this stuff it gets a little mistical for me and also I think does the same disrespect and breaking of the 3rd commandment by messing with his name as the english translations to the lord have done.

Actually, the following I believe is the most popular traditional way to tie the tzitzit....

The Tzitzit are eight strands, one longer than the other 7, this one is called the shamish or techelet (blue strand), it is the one that makes the coils. They equal all of the mitzvot together. How do they do this? There are 613 mitzvahs in the . The numercal value of the word Titzit is equal to 600, plus the 8 strands, plus the 5 coils. This is a total of 613.
The 5 coils also represent the name of G-d (Yud / hey / Vav / hey). The coils are wrapped 7, 8, 11, 13. The seven and eight equals fifteen, which is equal to the two letters, yud and hey. The first two letters of the Name of G-d. Eleven is the equivalent of vav and heh, the last two letters of the Name of G-d. Together they make the complete 4 letter numerical value of the Holy Name of G-d. The thirteen is equal to the word "echad" which means "one". So when we look at the tzitzit, we see the Name of G-d, He is One, and His 613 mitzvot. And in this we enwrap ourselves.

This is the way that I, and most of the brothers I know tie them.

Shalom,

Reuel

[The 614th Mitzvot]

I must say I buy the big long tzitzit so that when I go to reach for it or anything like that, I can do it easily. I don't care if people see them although a nice tzitzit is a good thing to have. I have them to remind me that no matter which way I look they cannot be hidden by a big shirt and there is always at least one in my peripheral vision.

P.S. don't you just love these smily faces!!

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

I must say I buy the big long tzitzit so that when I go to reach for it or anything like that, I can do it easily. I don't care if people see them although a nice tzitzit is a good thing to have. I have them to remind me that no matter which way I look they cannot be hidden by a big shirt and there is always at least one in my peripheral vision.

Amein achi Yohshuah Do you have a particular way that you tie your tzitziyot with any spiritual significance?

Shalom achi,

Reuel

[The 614th Mitzvot]

I tie my tzitzit in a sephardic. Except on my chabad tallit which I bought already tied chabad style.