The Beginner's Guide: Tzitzit - How to Gain a Mitzvah with a Few Shekels

The source for the commandment of tzitzit (strings attached to the corners of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl)  appears in the Book of Numbers (Chapter 15): "And Hashem spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and tell them to make for themselves tzitzit on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put on the tzitzit of the corner a thread of blue. It shall be for you a tzitzit, and when you see it, you will remember all the commandments of Hashem and perform them; and you shall not follow after your heart and after your eyes which you are led astray after. Thus you shall remember and perform all My commandments and be holy to your God."

As the verse states, the purpose of this commandment is to remind us to keep the commandments of the Torah and not to be distracted or led by opposing desires and forces. The word 'tzitzit' in gematria equals six hundred, and after adding the eight threads and five knots (in each group of strings), the result is 613, corresponding to the 613 mitzvot. The sight of the tzitzit reminds a person of their commitment and faithfulness to Hashem, helping them maintain spiritual vigilance and not following the desires of the heart and eyes.

Maimonides writes that one who surrounds themselves with a mezuzah, tefillin, and tzitzit is assisted by Hashem not to sin as the early sages said, "Anyone who has tefillin on their head and arm, tzitzit on their garment, and a mezuzah on their door is presumed not to sin, as they have many reminders, and these are the angels that save them from sin, as it is said: A guardian angel of Hashem camps around those who fear Him and rescues them, blessed is the Merciful One who aids them".

Regarding the great importance of the mitzvah of tzitzit, Maimonides writes, "A person should always be careful with the mitzvah of tzitzit, for the scripture compared and linked all the commandments to it, as it says: 'You will see it and remember all the commandments of Hashem'." The mitzvah of tzitzit is in the category of the unique and singular commandments said to be equivalent to all of the commandments.

Is the obligation of tzitzit applicable to every garment worn? The requirement to tie four woven tzitzit threads is only for a garment with at least four corners. However, it is customary to wear a special garment with square corners, also called a 'tallit katan', which is obligated in tzitzit threads, to merit performing this exalted mitzvah. The performance of this mitzvah also occurs when wearing a tallit gadol during the Shacharit prayer.

The Weekly Challenge

Visit a religious items store this week and purchase tzitzit (also called a 'tallit katan'). You can wear it under your clothes if you prefer that it won't be seen, and you've earned a great mitzvah! It's important to note that even if you do not yet wear a kippah on your head, this does not prevent you from fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzit.