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Techelet: Difference between revisions
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==Source of Requirement== | ==Source of Requirement== | ||
*For the source for tzitzit, see the [https://www.halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Tzitzit#Source_of_Requirement Tzitzit] page. | *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. | ||
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*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). | *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 | *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. | ||
*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. <ref>[http://www.ykr.org.il/modules/Ask/answer/1629 Kisei Rachamim's website]</ref> | *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. <ref>[http://www.ykr.org.il/modules/Ask/answer/1629 Kisei Rachamim's website]</ref> | ||
*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 [http://en.tvunah.org/2013/12/16/tcheiles-from-murex-truncules/ Rav Osher Weiss] | *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 [http://en.tvunah.org/2013/12/16/tcheiles-from-murex-truncules/ Rav Osher Weiss] | ||
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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<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. | #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. | ||
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*'''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] | *'''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] | ||
*'''Rav Hershel Schachter''': There is an argument among Rishonim what the gemara means when it says we need between "7 and 13" for the tzitzit. Some say it refers to the number of links (chulyot) and others say number of winds (krichot). Rav Schachter incorporates each understanding by having 7 links of 7 winds each. Each link is separated by a double knot. the first three winds of the first link are white, and the last three winds of the last link are white (to satisfy Tosafot). All other winds are techelet (to satisfy Rambam).<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/857819/rabbi-hershel-schachter/details-regarding-the-tying-of-tekhelet/ YUTorah.org, Rav Hershel Schachter, "Details regarding the tying of Tekhelet"]</ref> [https://www.mywesternwall.net/2019/04/02/techeiles-how-to-tie-tzitzis-like-r-hershel-schachters-method.html | *'''Rav Hershel Schachter''': There is an argument among Rishonim what the gemara means when it says we need between "7 and 13" for the tzitzit. Some say it refers to the number of links (chulyot) and others say number of winds (krichot). Rav Schachter incorporates each understanding by having 7 links of 7 winds each. Each link is separated by a double knot. the first three winds of the first link are white, and the last three winds of the last link are white (to satisfy Tosafot). All other winds are techelet (to satisfy Rambam).<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/857819/rabbi-hershel-schachter/details-regarding-the-tying-of-tekhelet/ YUTorah.org, Rav Hershel Schachter, "Details regarding the tying of Tekhelet"]</ref> [https://www.mywesternwall.net/2019/04/02/techeiles-how-to-tie-tzitzis-like-r-hershel-schachters-method.html How to tie]. [https://www.tekhelet.com/diagrams/Schachter7TyingDiagram2.pdf Diagram] | ||
{{SectionLacking}} | {{SectionLacking}} | ||
==If the Strings Ripped== | ==If the Strings Ripped== | ||
*If all white tzitzit, [[Tzitzit#If_the_Strings_Ripped| click here]]. | *If all white tzitzit, [[Tzitzit#If_the_Strings_Ripped| 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. <ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.4?lang=bi 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.</ref> | *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. <ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Fringes.1.4?lang=bi 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.</ref> | ||
