The Tzitzit

The Alshich compares the Mitzva of wearing Tzitzit to tying a string around one’s finger, to remind him of something important that he needs to do.

When we recite the chapter on Tzitzit in the third chapter of the Shema, we give great emphasis to the letter “ז” in the word וזכרתם, that means that we are to remember. What follows is that wearing this four cornered garment serves as the reminder to fulfill all of the Mitzvot of the Torah.

There is some disagreement as to how we fulfill the words, “And you shall see them.” There are those who interpret this to mean that the fringes should be seen hanging outside the garment.

The Lithuanian approach that I was taught from my old rabbis, was that the one wearing the Tzitzit needed to be aware that they were on his body. This awareness served the purpose of reminding us that we are observant Jews needing to observe the Torah.

Nowadays the Tzitzit has come to be an expression of Jewish pride. Since October the seventh, it is not uncommon to see young Jews proudly wearing this sacred garment, without wearing a Kippa!

On the other hand, when Jews that grew up in a traditional home, stop wearing Tzitzit, they are usually throwing away more than this garment. They might complain that it is uncomfortable to wear them, especially in the summer, but it represents a distancing from Jewish tradition. The same is true with the removal of the Kippa. A lot more goes than the Kippa.

We must cherish the Mitzva of Tzitzit and fulfill its purpose of remembering the commandments. No string on the finger is necessary when we are wearing Tzitzit.