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Tzitzit
Tzitzit (Hebrew ציצת, plural tzitziyot) are "fringes" or "tassels" worn by observant Jews on the corners of four-cornered garments, including the tallit (prayer shawl). In Orthodox Judaism, they are worn only by men. The Torah states in Numbers 15:38, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, that they shall make themselves fringes [tzitzit] on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and they shall put on the corner fringe a blue [tekhelet] thread". Wearing the tzitzit is also commanded in Deuteronomy 22:12, which says, "You shall make yourself twisted threads, on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself". Tzitziyot are attached today only to Jewish religious garments, such as a 'large prayer shawl' (tallit gadol). This is due in part to the fact that today's typical garment does not have the required four corners, and thus the fringes are not necessary. Traditional Jews wear a 'small prayer shawl' (tallit katan) constantly in order to fulfil this commandment at their own volition, and some consider it a transgression to miss a commandment that one has the ability to fulfil. The tallit katan is also commonly referred to as "tzitzit", though this name technically refers to each of the fringes only. Various reasons are given for the commandment; the Torah itself states: "So that you will remember to do the commandments". In addition, it serves as a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt (Numbers 15:40). The Bible tells Jews to wear Tzitziyot coloured with "tekhelet" (specific dye of blue). In remembrance of the commandment to use the tekhelet dye, it became common for Jews to have blue or purple stripes on their tallit. |