Techelet: Difference between revisions

*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).

*Rav Hershel Schachter in Ginat Egoz (Siman 2) writes that there is very little reason not to wear Techelet [[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.

*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]

*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> Maggid Meisharim, Mabit, Maharam Ibn Gabay, Sefer Charedim, Levush, Gra,<ref>Ptil Tekhelet 6:15-16 based on the Gra's commentary to Zohar Pinchas 228, Sifra Ditzineuta Trumah 179b end of ch. 5, Raya Mehemna Shlach 175, and Biur Hagra O.C. 12:5.</ref> 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/10327 Rav Meir Mazuz] and [https://www.ykr.org.il/question/1629 Rav Yonatan Mazuz] agree.

*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> Sefer Hachinuch<ref>Sefer Hachinuch 386 writes that the techelet string (singular) needs to be died lishma. This implies that he holds like Raavad that one out of the four strings is techelet. Also he writes that you wrap the techelet string (singular) upon the others. He certainly seems not to hold like Rashi and Tosfot. Also, he seems to hold like Raavad since he does not specify that only half of one of the strings is techelet, like Rambam. </ref> and Aruch<ref>Erech Techelet</ref> agree with the Raavad. Smag has safek like Tosfot or Raavad. Some achronim hold like the Raavad.<ref>Birurei Halacha Bmitzvat Techelet Shebetzitzit p. 63 n. 106 learns from the Rambam Tzitzit 1:5 that even if one uses more strings of techelet than are necessary one fulfills the mitzvah. p. 72 n. 117 he concludes to follow the Raavad since it is the opinion of many rishonim and the Rambam would agree. </ref>

*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]. Rosh Hilchot Tzitzit n. 6 seems to agree.</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.).