Techelet: Difference between revisions

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==Source of Requirement==
*For the source for tzitzit, see the [https://www.halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Tzitzit#Source_of_Requirement Tzitzit] page.
*The pesukim in Shalach <ref>Bamidbar 15:38 </ref> introduce the mitzvah of [[Tzitzit]] and among them is one that mentions the requirement to have a string of the Techelet color.
*The pesukim in Shalach <ref>Bamidbar 15:38 </ref> introduce the mitzvah of [[Tzitzit]] and among them is one that mentions the requirement to have a string of the Techelet color.


"דבר אל בני ישראל ואמרת אלהם ועשו להם ציצת על כנפי בגדיהם לדרתם ונתנו על ציצת הכנף פתיל תכלת"
"דבר אל בני ישראל ואמרת אלהם ועשו להם ציצת על כנפי בגדיהם לדרתם ונתנו על ציצת הכנף פתיל תכלת"


*The Mishna (menachot 38a) writes clearly that wearing [[Tzitzit]] without Techelet also fulfills the mitzvah of [[Tzitzit]] (while lacking a part of the mitzvah). This is codified in the Rambam ([[Tzitzit]] 1:3).
==Debate of Requirement==
 
*The Mishna (menachot 38a) writes that wearing [[Tzitzit]] without Techelet also fulfills the mitzvah of [[Tzitzit]] (while lacking a part of the mitzvah).<ref>Rashi on this mishna interprets this differently. When the mishna describes that the lack of white doesn't invalidate blue or vice versa, Rashi says this means that the number of techelet and white strings must be equal.</ref> This is codified in the Rambam ([[Tzitzit]] 1:3).
*From the end of the era of the sages of the Gemara Techelet became unavailable and extinct from common practice. However, in the last century and a half many have investigated this lost dye and some claim to have rediscovered it. The halachic question is how to deal with the dyes which some have claimed to be the real Techelet of the Torah.
*From the end of the era of the sages of the Gemara Techelet became unavailable and extinct from common practice. However, in the last century and a half many have investigated this lost dye and some claim to have rediscovered it. The halachic question is how to deal with the dyes which some have claimed to be the real Techelet of the Torah.
*Rav Hershel Schachter in Ginat Egoz ([[Siman 2]]) writes that there is very little reason not to wear the [[Tzitzit]] because of a doubt that perhaps it is the correct Techelet. He addresses the fact that the minhag is to wear a white garment with white strings, but says clearly that there’s no reason that this minhag should override a possibility to fulfill a biblical mitzvah. Furthermore, the Bet HaLevi (Sh”t Bet HaLevi 42) who says that there’s a prohibition of detracting from the מצות by fulfilling a mitzvah in a inferior way but that since a positive mitzvah overrides a negative one, there’s still reason to wear [[Tzitzit]] without Techelet because one still fulfills a positive mitzvah. Extending this further, Rav Schachter writes that if a person owns Techelet then it becomes possible to fulfill the positive mitzvah and negative one simultaneously and therefore one wouldn’t be allowed to use a positive mitzvah to override a negative one. To see how Rav Schachter ties the Techelet [[Tzitzit]] see here [http://www.tekhelet.com/diagrams/Schachter7TyingDiagram2.pdf www.tekhelet.com] For a detailed how-to, see [https://www.mywesternwall.net/2019/04/02/techeiles-how-to-tie-tzitzis-like-r-hershel-schachters-method.html mywesternwall.net].
*Rav Hershel Schachter in Ginat Egoz ([[Siman 2]]) writes that there is very little reason not to wear the [[Tzitzit]] because of a doubt that perhaps it is the correct Techelet. He addresses the fact that the minhag is to wear a white garment with white strings, but says clearly that there’s no reason that this minhag should override a possibility to fulfill a biblical mitzvah. Furthermore, the Bet HaLevi (Sh”t Bet HaLevi 42) who says that there’s a prohibition of detracting from the מצות by fulfilling a mitzvah in a inferior way but that since a positive mitzvah overrides a negative one, there’s still reason to wear [[Tzitzit]] without Techelet because one still fulfills a positive mitzvah. Extending this further, Rav Schachter writes that if a person owns Techelet then it becomes possible to fulfill the positive mitzvah and negative one simultaneously and therefore one wouldn’t be allowed to use a positive mitzvah to override a negative one. To see how Rav Schachter ties the Techelet [[Tzitzit]] see here [http://www.tekhelet.com/diagrams/Schachter7TyingDiagram2.pdf www.tekhelet.com] For a detailed how-to, see [https://www.mywesternwall.net/2019/04/02/techeiles-how-to-tie-tzitzis-like-r-hershel-schachters-method.html mywesternwall.net].
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The Radziner in Petil Techelet summarizes the dispute:  
The Radziner in Petil Techelet summarizes the dispute:  
#Rambam holds that one string out of eighth are techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.6/ Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:6]</ref> Sefer Hachinuch, Maggid Meisharim, Mabit, Maharam Ibn Gabay, Sefer Charedim, Levush, Gra, Sefer Hakaneh, and Arizal agree with the Rambam. Radziner in Petil Techelet ch. 6 ends up following the Rambam but says one has what to rely upon to follow either of the other opinions. Ben Ish Chai (Noach n. 17) and in [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=41237&st=&pgnum=101 Od Yosef Chay (Vaera n. 3)] holds like the Rambam. [https://www.ykr.org.il/question/1629 Rav Yonatan Mazuz] agrees.
#Rambam holds that one string out of eighth are techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.6/ Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:6]</ref> Sefer Hachinuch<ref>Conflicts with most online resources. They say number of strings for Sefer Hachinuch should be 2/8.</ref>, Maggid Meisharim, Mabit, Maharam Ibn Gabay, Sefer Charedim, Levush, Gra, Sefer Hakaneh, and Arizal agree with the Rambam. Radziner in Petil Techelet ch. 6 ends up following the Rambam but says one has what to rely upon to follow either of the other opinions. Ben Ish Chai (Noach n. 17) and in [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=41237&st=&pgnum=101 Od Yosef Chay (Vaera n. 3)] holds like the Rambam. [https://www.ykr.org.il/question/1629 Rav Yonatan Mazuz] agrees.
#Raavad holds that one string out of four (two out of eight) is techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Hasagot_HaRaavad_on_Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.6.1/ Raavad on Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:6]</ref> Aruch (Techelet) agrees with the Raavad. He cites the Sefer Haitur, Sefer Machriya, Tur, Rabbenu Yerucham, Shulchan Aruch Harav who agree. Smag has safek like Tosfot or Raavad.
#Raavad holds that one string out of four (two out of eight) is techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Hasagot_HaRaavad_on_Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.6.1/ Raavad on Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:6]</ref> Aruch (Techelet) agrees with the Raavad. He cites the Sefer Haitur, Sefer Machriya, Tur, Rabbenu Yerucham, Shulchan Aruch Harav who agree. Smag has safek like Tosfot or Raavad.
#Rashi and Tosfot hold that four strings out of eighth are techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Menachot.38a.4.1 Rashi on Mishna of Menachot 38a]</ref> [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/788501/rabbi-hershel-schachter/hilchos-tzitzis/ Rav Schachter ("Hilchos Tzitzis" beginning)] holds like Rashi and Tosfot and recommends all Ashkenazim to follow this method due to the plethora of sources advocating it (Baal haIttur, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, etc.).
#Rashi and Tosfot hold that four strings out of eighth are techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Menachot.38a.4.1 Rashi on Mishna of Menachot 38a]</ref> [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/788501/rabbi-hershel-schachter/hilchos-tzitzis/ Rav Schachter ("Hilchos Tzitzis" beginning)] holds like Rashi and Tosfot and recommends all Ashkenazim to follow this method due to the plethora of sources advocating it (Baal haIttur, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, etc.).
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===Rambam===
===Rambam===
The Rambam maintains that there should be between 7-13 links (chulyot) and that each link should have 3 winds (krichot). In the closest link to the garment, the first wind should be white, while the other two winds of that link should be techelet. In the farthest link from the garment, the final wind should be white, while the other two winds of that link should be techelet. All other links contain only techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1?lang=bi Rambam, Halachot Tzitzit Chapter 1]</ref>
The Rambam maintains that there should be between 7-13 links (chulyot) and that each link should have 3 winds (krichot). In the closest link to the garment, the first wind should be white, while the other two winds of that link should be techelet. In the farthest link from the garment, the final wind should be white, while the other two winds of that link should be techelet. All other links contain only techelet.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1?lang=bi Rambam, Halachot Tzitzit Chapter 1]</ref> [https://www.tekhelet.com/tying/rambam/ Diagrams]


===Raavad===
===Raavad===
The Raavad holds that there should be 4 links and that each link has 7 winds. Each link is separated by a knot. The winds of each link should alternate white and techelet, the first and last wind of each link being white. The Raavad dictates that the link closest to the edge of the garment and the two links farthest from the garment must follow the alternating pattern. However, the unmentioned link can either be all white or the alternating white and techelet pattern.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Hasagot_HaRaavad_on_Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.7.1?lang=bi Raavad on Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:7]</ref>
The Raavad holds that there should be 4 links and that each link has 7 winds. Each link is separated by a knot. The winds of each link should alternate white and techelet, the first and last wind of each link being white. The Raavad dictates that the link closest to the edge of the garment and the two links farthest from the garment must follow the alternating pattern. However, the unmentioned link can either be all white or the alternating white and techelet pattern.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Hasagot_HaRaavad_on_Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.7.1?lang=bi Raavad on Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:7]</ref> [https://www.tekhelet.com/tying/raavad/ Diagrams]
 
===Sefer Hachinuch===
The Sefer Hachinuch writes that there should be 13 links, where each link has 3 winds. From the corner of the garment, first there is a double knot, then 3 links, alternating white-techelet-white. Then another double knot and three more links, alternating techelet-white-techelet. Another double knot, three more links, alternating white-techelet-white. Another double knot, but the last section has 4 links: alternating techelet-white-techelet-white. This is completed with another double knot.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Sefer_HaChinukh.386.5?lang=bi Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvah 386]</ref> [https://www.tekhelet.com/tying/chinuch-2/ Diagrams]


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Revision as of 02:53, 19 August 2019

Source of Requirement

  • For the source for tzitzit, see the Tzitzit page.
  • The pesukim in Shalach [1] introduce the mitzvah of Tzitzit and among them is one that mentions the requirement to have a string of the Techelet color.

"דבר אל בני ישראל ואמרת אלהם ועשו להם ציצת על כנפי בגדיהם לדרתם ונתנו על ציצת הכנף פתיל תכלת"

Debate of Requirement

  • The Mishna (menachot 38a) writes that wearing Tzitzit without Techelet also fulfills the mitzvah of Tzitzit (while lacking a part of the mitzvah).[2] This is codified in the Rambam (Tzitzit 1:3).
  • From the end of the era of the sages of the Gemara Techelet became unavailable and extinct from common practice. However, in the last century and a half many have investigated this lost dye and some claim to have rediscovered it. The halachic question is how to deal with the dyes which some have claimed to be the real Techelet of the Torah.
  • Rav Hershel Schachter in Ginat Egoz (Siman 2) writes that there is very little reason not to wear the Tzitzit because of a doubt that perhaps it is the correct Techelet. He addresses the fact that the minhag is to wear a white garment with white strings, but says clearly that there’s no reason that this minhag should override a possibility to fulfill a biblical mitzvah. Furthermore, the Bet HaLevi (Sh”t Bet HaLevi 42) who says that there’s a prohibition of detracting from the מצות by fulfilling a mitzvah in a inferior way but that since a positive mitzvah overrides a negative one, there’s still reason to wear Tzitzit without Techelet because one still fulfills a positive mitzvah. Extending this further, Rav Schachter writes that if a person owns Techelet then it becomes possible to fulfill the positive mitzvah and negative one simultaneously and therefore one wouldn’t be allowed to use a positive mitzvah to override a negative one. To see how Rav Schachter ties the Techelet Tzitzit see here www.tekhelet.com For a detailed how-to, see mywesternwall.net.
  • There are other Poskim who hold of wearing Techelet but most don't hold it is as much as a Chiyuv as Rav Schachter. Rav Meir Mazuz, Rosh Yeshiva of Kiseh Rachamim in Bnei Brak, wears Techeles on Shabbos and Yom Tov as he holds it's not a Chiyuv rather a nice Chumra. [3]
  • However, the overwhelming minhag for the last century was not to wear the Techelet which were suggested as the real species of Techelet. There’s a short article of Rav Elyashiv (Kovetz Teshuvot 1:2) who mentions several reasons to defend this practice. See Teshuvot vihanhagot 1:29 and 4:5 who quotes Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg saying that future generations may think that we have had the tradition the entire time. Also, http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=785&txtSearch=techelet quotes Chacham Ben-tzion Abba Shaul who says that if your father and grandfather didn't wear a string of techelet than you should follow that practice as well. Rav Shlomo Aviner http://www.ravaviner.com/2011/06/techelet.html and in Shu"t She'elat Shlomo 4:12-20 also gives several reasons not to wear techelet. So does Rav Osher Weiss
  • Firstly, the discoveries made regarding the Techelet have been inconclusive and the first two claims were later disproved and who’s to say that the new one which is claimed to be authentic will stand the test of time. Additionally, perhaps by the mere fact that for over a thousand years Jews haven’t used such a species for Techelet is a tradition that this species isn’t the correct one. Some sources even point to the fact that the secret of the Techelet was hidden after the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. Lastly, how are we to determine the correct method in developing the dye if it’s disputed even in the early authorities and the dispute is left unresolved.

Number of Techelet Strings

The Radziner in Petil Techelet summarizes the dispute:

  1. Rambam holds that one string out of eighth are techelet.[4] Sefer Hachinuch[5], Maggid Meisharim, Mabit, Maharam Ibn Gabay, Sefer Charedim, Levush, Gra, Sefer Hakaneh, and Arizal agree with the Rambam. Radziner in Petil Techelet ch. 6 ends up following the Rambam but says one has what to rely upon to follow either of the other opinions. Ben Ish Chai (Noach n. 17) and in Od Yosef Chay (Vaera n. 3) holds like the Rambam. Rav Yonatan Mazuz agrees.
  2. Raavad holds that one string out of four (two out of eight) is techelet.[6] Aruch (Techelet) agrees with the Raavad. He cites the Sefer Haitur, Sefer Machriya, Tur, Rabbenu Yerucham, Shulchan Aruch Harav who agree. Smag has safek like Tosfot or Raavad.
  3. Rashi and Tosfot hold that four strings out of eighth are techelet.[7] Rav Schachter ("Hilchos Tzitzis" beginning) holds like Rashi and Tosfot and recommends all Ashkenazim to follow this method due to the plethora of sources advocating it (Baal haIttur, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, etc.).

Tying Methodology

There are several methods of tying tzitzit with techelet.

Rambam

The Rambam maintains that there should be between 7-13 links (chulyot) and that each link should have 3 winds (krichot). In the closest link to the garment, the first wind should be white, while the other two winds of that link should be techelet. In the farthest link from the garment, the final wind should be white, while the other two winds of that link should be techelet. All other links contain only techelet.[8] Diagrams

Raavad

The Raavad holds that there should be 4 links and that each link has 7 winds. Each link is separated by a knot. The winds of each link should alternate white and techelet, the first and last wind of each link being white. The Raavad dictates that the link closest to the edge of the garment and the two links farthest from the garment must follow the alternating pattern. However, the unmentioned link can either be all white or the alternating white and techelet pattern.[9] Diagrams

Sefer Hachinuch

The Sefer Hachinuch writes that there should be 13 links, where each link has 3 winds. From the corner of the garment, first there is a double knot, then 3 links, alternating white-techelet-white. Then another double knot and three more links, alternating techelet-white-techelet. Another double knot, three more links, alternating white-techelet-white. Another double knot, but the last section has 4 links: alternating techelet-white-techelet-white. This is completed with another double knot.[10] Diagrams

This article section is a stub. It needs to be expanded to include more halacha's and broader sources.

If the Strings Ripped

  • If all white tzitzit, click here.
  • According to the Rambam, if all white strings tore off up to the corner of the garment, and all that was left were techelet strings, the garment is still fit for use. [11]

Sources

  1. ↑ Bamidbar 15:38
  2. ↑ Rashi on this mishna interprets this differently. When the mishna describes that the lack of white doesn't invalidate blue or vice versa, Rashi says this means that the number of techelet and white strings must be equal.
  3. ↑ Kisei Rachamim's website
  4. ↑ Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:6
  5. ↑ Conflicts with most online resources. They say number of strings for Sefer Hachinuch should be 2/8.
  6. ↑ Raavad on Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:6
  7. ↑ Rashi on Mishna of Menachot 38a
  8. ↑ Rambam, Halachot Tzitzit Chapter 1
  9. ↑ Raavad on Rambam Halachot Tzitzit 1:7
  10. ↑ Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvah 386
  11. ↑ Rambam, Hilchot Tzitzit 1:4. He explains that this is due to the mishna on Menachot 38a saying that the absence of white does not invalidate blue and the absence of blue does not invalidate white.
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