Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue

In this Parsha, G-d commands B’nai Yisrael (All Israel) to make Tzitzit on the corners of their garments. This tzitzit must include a string of tehaylet, sky-blue wool. G-d explains that the purpose of putting on the tzitzit is to remember His commandments.

The tehaylet is a dye that is extracted from a certain snail found in the ocean. For centuries, no one knew where to find this snail. So, people only wore the white strings of Tzitzit. Now this snail has been again discovered. Could this be G-d’s way of informing us to expect the return of Messiah soon? For us to understand we first need to know something of the tzitzit and the teaching derived form this commandment. Messiah, is the Blue Thread and this blue or Shamash thread wrapped around the other strands 7,8,11,13 times points to the Messiah Y’shua, “The Suffering Servant”. The color blue also denotes Royalty and Y’shua is King of Kings! 8 total threads is the Biblical number for New Beginnings. The seven (7) white threads are not taken away by the Blue thread, but are completed by it. Without Messiah, the Blue thread, Man cannot keep the Law. So you see we are reminded of Messiah Yahshua and G-d’s commandments.

The purpose, beauty and holiness surrounding this garment has been lost to most followers of Y’shua and many wonderful truths have been lost in the process. To rediscover these truths we first need to explore the scriptural basis for the Talit and the spiritual significance found in it.

We must start with G-d’s commandments to begin discovering the origin of the Talit, to wear Tsitsiot, (fringes or tassels) which literally means “great things.” First, there are two passages that command us to wear fringes or tassels. In Numbers 15:37-40. We read:

38 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your G-d.[1]

12 Make tassels ( g’dilium) on the four corners of the cloak you wear. (New Int’l Version)

These two commandments together command G-d’s people to remind themselves of His commandments and keep holy by placing a fringe or tassel on each corner of their garments, especially to place a blue thread with each fringe, an especially to place them on a four-cornered cloak or covering. Apparently, G-d did not feel compelled to reveal the complete truth to the Hebrews regarding the tzizitot as we shall see. That’s why it’s so important to have a complete understanding of the OT and the NT.

We also understand by the text that when the Tzitziot is combined with the blue thread as commanded in Numbers 15:38 and joined to the four cornered cloak they become “tassels of greatness” or G’dilim (Deut. 22:12). This four-corned cloak, which bears the special tassels, is the garment that has come to be called the Tallit. Note however, a garment is not a Tallit without the special tassels connected to the corners.

We’ve already discussed that wearing of the talit with tiztzitot was the usual practice in Yahshua’s time and with this in mind it is easily seen how Yahshua an observant Jew daily put on tefilllin and prayed as he placed the Tallit on His head (going into His closet). He was careful not to cover the tefilllin, which had seven wrappings up the left arm on the side of the heart and two wrappings on the fingers to signify the (7) days of creation and the individuals marriage to G-d. This is a picture of the Messiah that few Christians contemplate, but nonetheless one that is extremely relevant if we are to clearly see a pure portrait of our Adonai. And without examining our Jewish roots we may never see this portrait until the millennium.

We also should be aware that in the command for Tallit found in Deuteronomy 22:11, is that it is to be a “cloak (k’sut) that covers (k’sut) you. This is a picture of the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit). It also identifies the mantels referred to in the prophets as Tallit.

Now let’s look at some of the scriptures in the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament[2]) that relate to the Tallit. In Matthew 23: 5 Y’shua mentions the Tsitsit concerning a moral matter.

Mat. 23:5 "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;

Yahshua was speaking about the wrong reasons hypocrites wore Tefillin (which is translated Phylacteries here) and tzitzit or as translated tassels on the Four Corners of the Tallit which men wore.

The very mention of the Tzitzit by Y’shua confirms the common use in His day. As I said, Yahshua Himself wore the Talit simply because he was obedient to every commandment of the Torah or Law and without sin. And we read in 1 John 3:4-5 that sin is the transgression of the Law.

4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Because tzitzit and tallit are commandments of G-d and part of the Law we have to ask ourselves what is their significance to us? What message do they convey and why is it important to know today? Why did G-d command it to be worn and how can this knowledge enrich a believer’s life and testimony? To begin with the Tzitzit, which is attached to, the Tallit with particular knots and wrappings is revealing of G-d and the Messiah. Remember the commandment to have a blue thread among the tassel. The blue thread or Shamash, such as the Shamash candle on a menorah means servant and is wrapped around the other strands, 7, 8, 11, and 13 times with double knots in-between. To understand the significance of this we must know that In Judaism each Hebrew letter is assigned a numerical equivalent. John spoke of this in Revelation when giving the numerical value of the name of the anti-christ. In reference to the Tzitzit the 7 and 8 equal 15, which is equivalent to the value of the Hebrew letters yod and hey, the first two letters of the personal name of G-d (YHVH). Eleven is the equivalent of vav and hey, the last two letters of the name of G-d. Thirteen is equivalent to the Hebrew word Echad, which means “one” or “unity”. From the orthodox point of view, to look at the Tzitzit is to remember, YHVH Echad, “The Lord is One.” The word Tzitzit in Hebrew is equivalent to 600. Add that to the eight strands and five knots and the total is 613, which is the total number of Torah commandments or commandments in the Law of the Old Testament.. But more importantly, to a believer’s point of view and ultimately to the unbelievers, the Shamash points to the Messiah Y’shua, the Suffering Servant who is also King, as the color blue indicates. Blue is the color of the bloodline; the mark of royalty. The other seven white threads symbolize the perfection, purity, and holiness of G-d’s Law. And eight total threads is the biblical number of new beginnings. The seven white strands are not taken away by the blue one, but instead are completed by it. Without Messiah, the blue thread, no man can keep the Law.

The tzitzit is a strong reminder to us of the conjuncture-juncture of the Law and Y’shua, not a separation, because through Him all things become possible. We also know this Law to be Him, the Living Word (Torah or Law).

If we look back at Numbers 15:37 we see the blue thread is given[3] to the fringe. While most English translations use the words attached, put or secured, the Hebrew word is from natan, meaning to give. The Messiah is given by the Father to fulfill (in the sense of showing us an example or in the technical rabbinic sense, to do properly or interpret properly) the commandments. He is the only One who ever performed them perfectly and His ability to fulfill the commandments proves He is the rightful bloodline to be the eternal King. Hence, the blue thread signifies the Servant-King.

Observers of Israel know there is great expectation of the soon coming of the Messiah. Can the return of the blue thread also serve to signify the soon return of the Messiah? He is the blue cord. G-d works in mystifying ways, doesn’t He! And who’s to say that a Jewish unbeliever might not soon put it all together concerning the blue or Shamash thread. Furthermore, all orthodox know that in ancient times the blue cord of the Tzitzit was dyed using a liquid derived from a certain mollusk (snail). The mollusk seemed to become extinct shortly after the visitation of Y’shua and the loss of the Temple. And because of this (the loss of the Temple) and the disappearance of the mollusk, Orthodox Jews have refrained from dyeing the cord blue, and today the Tzitzit remains all white. Just lately, it has been reported that the orthodox have begun dyeing the Tzitzit Shamash thread BLUE AGAIN because recent reports say that the special mollusk has miraculously returned to Israel.

The Tzitzit as a powerful reminder to the necessary conjunction of Messiah and Torah also serves to remind us whom we follow in obedience to the commandments of G-d. The Torah commands that we follow Messiah. In (Deut. 18:15) we read:

Deu. 18:15 The LORD your G-d will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. And Messiah commands we follow the Torah (Matthew 5:19).

Mat. 5:19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Each supports the other. They are bound together tightly as one, just as the Tzitzit shows. In Revelation we see the fulfillment involving the faithful, who are described as those who “keep the commandments of G-d (Torah) and have the testimony of Messiah Yahshua” (Rev. 12:17; 14:12). We read in:

Rev. 12: 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey G-d's commandments and hold to the testimony of Yahshua.

14: 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey G-d's commandments and remain faithful to Yahshua.

They have become living witnesses to the message of the Tzitzit. They have joined the Messiah with the Torah in their lives. That which is shown by the Tzitzit is living in them.

If the Tzitzit is the symbol of the good news of the Messiah the Tallit carries the Good News and is a type of the Holy Spirit (Ruach Ha’ Kodesh), who brings to us and reveals to us the Word of G-d: both the written Word and the Living Word which is Y’shua. It holds the tzitzit before us, so that we might see it. This is why the Tallit, is not a true holy symbol of the spirit of G-d, unless the Tzitzit with the blue thread is attached. When the Tallit is put on, its spiritual application is like when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. He blesses us with the knowledge of G-d and surrounds us like a mikveh (immersion in a bath/baptism) with His presence.

When the Law was given from Sinai it happened on Shavuot, the day of Pentecost. The Law was given without Messiah. It was as if the fringes were without the blue thread. Then at the right time, Messiah came to be the perfect Lamb. The rightful King, Himself to die and thereby destroying the power of sin. In His death He gave what the Law could not give us, that is, power over sin. He, the blue thread, the Shamash, was added to complete the fringe, the Torah. The Torah and Messiah were one, becoming together as the G’dillim, The Tassels of Greatness. Now the spiritual Tzitzit was complete, but its symbolism did not impact fully upon the beholder until the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) descended upon them! It was at Shavuot (Pentecost) when the Holy Spirit brought the Torah and Messiah into the heart of the beholders by immersion in Himself. The Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is like the Tallit when it is set upon the wearer and the Tzitzit is brought closely and easily seen. The beholder becomes the wearer, who is now abiding with the Messiah and the Torah. The Holy Spirit, as the Tallit, makes it possible. The Tallit is given as a type of the Holy Spirit, as the Tzitzit is given as a type of the commandments, as the blue strand is given as a type of Messiah (the blue strand in Hebrew is B’tiyl T’khaylet another name for Messiah!) Together they witness to the wearer the prefect provision of G-d to cover sin, provide comfort and cause us to dwell in His presence.

1. When the spies came back with news about the land, Israel heard two different versions. The nation elected to listen to the majority opinion. How could the nation be punished for listening to the majority opinion? Should you always listen to the majority opinion? Where is the real source of truth and counsel?

2. After the nation received their punishment, they wished to make amends by immediately fighting for the land. Why didn’t G-d let them?

3. After B’nai Yisrael are told that they will wander in the desert for 40 years, G-d gives them a few commandments that can only be fulfilled upon entering into the Land of Israel. What was the purpose of giving those commandments now?

4. On the Shabbat after Israel received the Torah, B’nai Yisrael finds the wood gatherer. There are those who say that he desecrated the Shabbat on purpose. What would be his reason for doing such a thing?

In this case a letter was added to his name. The yud is a letter, which represents G-d’s name, As is the hay we find added to Avraham and Sarah’s name to show G-d had sent them. G-d wanted to show that His presence was with Y’hoshua s it was with Avraham and Sarah.

Our sages tell us that the commandment of tzitzit is equal to the whole Torah. How can we see this? The numeric value of tzitzit is 600. A corner of the tzitzit has eight strings and five knots. All in all, tzitzit in its entirety comes to 613, exactly the number of commandments in Torah.

[1] New International Version

[2]Interestingly enough the B’rit Chadashah or New Testament isues no prohibitions or any instructions against the use of the Tzitzit, G’dilim, or Tallit.

[3] Strong’5414. nathan, naw-than'; a prim. root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint,

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