The Obligations of the Student - Part 10 - That Tefillin Feeling

September 11, 2016

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That Tefillin Feeling

The Obligations of the Student Part 10

(Slide) Tefillin are cube-shaped black leather boxes, containing four scriptural passages, attached to the head and arm and worn during the morning prayers… although eventually the tefillin were only worn for the Morning Prayer, in Talmudic times they were worn all day and had no special association with prayer. – My Jewish Learning

(Slide) Everyday when one recites the Shema, the centrepiece of morning and evening fixed prayer, one reads the following passages, “And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 6:8)

Qashar owth yad towphaphah (to fa fa) ayin

This is again reiterated in Deuteronomy 11:18, “(You shall) tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” (Deuteronomy 11:18)

We as Netzarim, alongside Orthodox Jews, are to be a distinguished people. That is to say that our prayer is to be different to the prayer of all the other nations.

(Slide) The Hebrew word for prayer is tefillah, which is similar to the word Tefillin. Most people translate this into the English word prayer. However, tefillah is derived from two roots Pey-Lamed-Hey, which is pelah and means “wonder” or “awe,” and Pey-Lamed Lamed and the word l'hitpalel, meaning to judge oneself.

The modern Hebrew is palal, means “criminal.” This is interesting, because all of us in some sense are criminals. So we stand before the almighty judging or weighing ourselves.

(Slide) The Greek word for Tefillin is Phylactery. This is where we get the word prophylactic, otherwise known as a condom and means to “shield” or “protect.” It comes from Philistine, which means “to defend” or “to guard.”

This name came about from the Gentile nations who say the wearing of Tefillin as the wearing of a protective amulet. Yet Tefillin may not be considered such. Why?

Because, the most vulnerable people are exempt from wearing them, that is slaves, women and children and they are forbidden to be worn in the bathroom or in cemeteries.

However, early Sages did believe them to play a role in protection from evil. This is mainly because the demographic instituted to wear them, adult males are the most prone to evil thoughts, and the donning of tefillin counters this act.

But the Scriptural term used for this item is not Tefillin, but an Aramaic word, to-fa-fa or totafot, from the root word to “encircle,” which is translated “frontlets bound with knots.” The term to also means “two and two” denoting the four compartments that make up the Shel Rosh (head) Tefillin.

The word Tefillin is not found in Scripture. It’s believed that the word came about as name that means “prayer device.”

The Function of Tefillin

What function do Tefillin perform. Sure, we are told to wear them, and we’ve alluded to them having protective qualities, but what do they do for us?

(Slide) The Bible states that Tefillin are to serve as a reminder of Yahweh’s intervention at the time of the Exodus from Egypt. “And it shall be for a sign for you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand did Yahweh bring you out of Egypt.” (Exodus 13:9)

“And it shall be for a sign upon your hand, and as totafot between your eyes; for with a mighty hand did Yahweh bring us forth out of Egypt.” (Exodus 13:16)

So unlike a magic amulet, that when donned does all the work, the Tefillin are worn as a reminder, the strapping and cases pressing into our flesh, causing us to be reminded not think evil thoughts. In Judaism and our faith, sanctity in sacred objects comes from our own action in both the fashioning and handling of the item. In turn the items become imbued with holiness and further sanctify us.

In many ways, the making and wearing of these items enables us to make a connection with the Divine, not unlike a prayer antenna, a mechanical device used to tune into a specific frequency.

(Slide) As Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Tefillin, 4.25-6) puts it: "Great is the sanctity of tefillin, for as long as the tefillin are upon man's head and arm, he is humble and Elohim-fearing and is not drawn after frivolity and idle talk, and does not have evil thoughts, but directs his heart to words of truth and righteousness. Therefore a man should try to have them on him all day ... Even though they should be worn all day it is the greater obligation to wear them during prayer." In point of fact, some few extremely pious individuals, even in post-Talmudic times, did wear tefillin all day and this seems to have been Maimonides' own practice. But the vast majority of Jews only wear tefillin during the morning prayer.

(Slide) The earliest known use of tefillin was when Ya’akov tended Lavan’s sheep in Genesis 30. Ya’akov devised an ingenious way of maintain a strong and plentiful portion of sheep despite Lavan’s efforts to rob him of them. While he did not wrap tefillin himself, the Sages derive that his action of affecting the flock of sheep by carving streaks in rods of wood is the same premise in that he brought about a spiritual effect in a physical object.

His actions evoked the same spiritual energies as are drawn down into the world through our performance of the mitzvah of tefillin. After this spiritual service was completed, however, the staves remained ordinary pieces of wood; Yaakov’s service left no lasting effect. In contrast, when a Jew puts on tefillin, the tefillin become sacred; the mitzvah imparts spirituality into their physical substance, and elevates them above the worldly plane.

(Slide) Invariably, this topic engenders the question, ‘Did Yahshua wear tefillin?”

King Messiah Yahshua is silent on any direct endorsement or rebuke of wearing tefillin. He does however rebuke overly large tefillin as he does excessive length of tzitzit (tassels).

”They (the scribes and the Pharisees) tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their tefillin wide and the tzitzit on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; (Matthew 23:4-6)”

(Slide) The problem with the scribes and the Pharisees was not their authority but their hypocrisy. “Upon the seat of Moshe the Parushim and the Rabbis of the Torah sit, and now, all which they will say unto you-keep and do; but THEIR deeds do not do, because THEY say and do not.” (Matthew 23:3)

The Seat of Moshe was the authority given to the Rabbis of the Torah and Pharisees by Abba Yahweh, and endorsed through His Son YahShua, to judge “the difficult cases (Exodus 18:22)” and give understanding to the people of the laws and statutes of Yahweh as Moshe did:- “Exodus 18:16…and…do make them know the statutes of Yahweh, and his Torah” without exaggeration or hypocrisy.

Can Women Wear Tefillin?

(Slide) The duty of laying tefillin rests upon males after the age of thirteen years. Although women are exempt from the obligation, some early codifiers allowed them to do so. Historically, the mitzvahof tefillin was not performed by women, but the ritual was apparently kept by some women in medieval France and Germany. Traditions exist of some prominent women laying tefillin.

Others who are not obliged to lay tefillin include a mourner during the first day of his mourning period, a bridegroom on his wedding-day. Sufferers of stomach pain or one who is otherwise in pain and cannot concentrate his mind are also exempt. One who is engaged in the study of the Law and scribes of and dealers in tefillin and mezuzot while engaged in their work if it cannot be postponed, are also free from this obligation.

(Slide) There are plenty of resources available that will enable the student to learn much about Tefillin. I recommend buying a book or two on the subject before or with your purchase of tefillin.

Tefillin: Making the Connection by Yisroel Ehrman is a book outlining the laws and significance of tefillin and is a good entry level work introducing the novice student to this Biblical command. It contains two vivid stories of Jews devotion to the act of binding tefillin that take place during WWII and shows how to put them on and contains a question and answers section. It has full colour photos and is very easy to read. With less the 80 pages and bound in a durable hardback format, this book can be taken anywhere.

(Slide) There are literally hundreds of places one can buy Tefillin. Do your own research and ask questions when needed.

(Slide) In considering to buy teffilin bear in mind that it is woven into the daily Shema and is not only a verbal proclamation that is a sign, but the actual physical application of the vow. Also, it is well worth considering the alternative. You can go with Yahweh. Deuteronomy 6:8: "You shall bind them (commandments) as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead." Or you can go with the Beast. Revelations 13:16: "He will cause all, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark..."

(Slide) Furthermore, there are a few startling similarities between a heroin addict’s ritual of shooting up and an Israelite ritual of binding tefillin. One is an artificial counterfeit spiritual high that gradually eats away the body and soul, whilst the other is a biblical command that heightens one’s spiritual state and increase the length and quality of one’s days.

“May some of the spiritual influence of the commandment of tefillin be extended upon me so that I have a long life, a flow of holiness, and holy thoughts, without even an inkling of sin or iniquity; and that the Evil Inclination will not seduce us nor incite against us, and that it permit us to serve Hashem as is our hearts' desire. “ – Tefillin Prayer

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Reclaiming the Original Faith - Part 3 - Torah Revival

September 3, 2016

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Reclaiming the Original Faith

Part 3- Torah Revival

Introduction:

We have recently discovered how the journey that the Torah of YHWH had undertaken was an extremely harrowing path. When the people of Yahudah (Judah) were taken into captivity Yisrael suffered by subtle means whereby the people were indoctrinated into a new culture and were reluctant after 70 years to leave Babylon. Thankfully we saw how the young men brought up under intense Torah observance had developed such a love for YHWH and the Torah that they inspired their Nation. One notable truth however is that while Yahudah was in Captivity they developed a real hunger for the things of YHWH and even in much later years Babylon became a centre for Torah learning. During this time it is worthy of noting that the Modern Hebrew Aleph-Bet was developed and the Hebrew Calendar that is still used today was also adopted.

Following the Captivity we saw this small Nation gradually being revived and observant to the Torah until the Greek empire under Antiochus ruled Yisrael and through great evil began the horrific destruction of all Torah observance and Covenant faithfulness with the purpose of purging every aspect of Judaism from the Nation and replacing their Religion with the Greek Religion. We discovered that this period in Israel’s history saw much blood spilt to keep the Nation of Yisrael faithful to YHWH.

It was during this time that we saw the Great battles of the Maccabean wars which saw great heroes emerging being inspired by a love for YHWH and his Torah with the result that finally the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) and the National faith in the Torah known today as Judaism restored, with the Feast of Chanukah (Hanukah) being the Feast of the dedication of the Temple observed yearly in remembrance of this difficult but victorious time in Yisrael’s history.

The Treaty of Friendship with Rome:

A notable truth that emerges in the Book of the Maccabees is found in the following:

1 Maccabees 8: 17- 21 Judas accordingly chose Eupolemus son of John and Jason son of Eleazar and sent them to Rome to conclude a treaty of friendship and alliance so that the Romans might rid them of tyranny for it was clear that the Greek empire was reducing Yisrael to slavery.

What we can conclude from all this is that Rome became an ally of Yisrael and due to the successes against the Seleucid rulers Yisrael finally gained autonomy and at the collapse of the Seleucid (Greek) Kingdom the Yahudim gained independence.

This however only lasted about 80 years due to corruption within the Hasmonean family that produced infighting which eventually resulted in Roman rule being established.

Rome then appointed Herod King of Yahudah (Judea) who also appointed his own man as the High Priest though often this was achieved through bribes paid to Herod.

King Herod did however enlarge and beautify the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) as well as build Fort Antonio on the Temple Mount.

In accordance with the will of YHWH and his promises through the Prophets we come to a time when Yisrael had all the fundamental tenants of the faith of the Fathers, making it ripe for the coming of the Promised Moshiach (Messiah) so it is to this time and the coming of Yahshua that we turn to establish the significance of the Torah.

Now that Yisrael was ruled by Rome its Religion is once again able to function since Rome was more tolerant and allowed Judaism to flourish with the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) performing all the functions it was designed for and the Nation as a whole able to be Torah observant.

In this Religious climate we find King Herod appointing the Cohen Ha Gadol (the High Priest) who was often not even of the line of Aaron or the tribe of Levi. The group known as the Sadducees were Priests but even these were often political appointees. The other Major group was the Perushim (the Pharisees) whose name means separated ones and though they were more favoured by the people because of their religiousness they also burdened the people with their many added rules & regulations called “takanot”:

Yisrael & the Torah:

Since we are on this journey of reclaiming the Original faith we need to begin firstly to observe the significance of Torah in the life of Yisrael, Yahshua and the Talmidim (Disciples). It is our endeavour to establish what the faith of the earliest Kehilot (Assemblies) was before the rise of compromise that came with Ignatius of Antioch in about (98 CE) and finally the emergence of the Roman Assembly under Pontifex Maximus or Emperor Constantine who solidified all the changes to separate Christianity from the forms of the early Hebraic Nazarene Assemblies.

It is only by the restoration of the faith of the forefathers that sees Yisrael fulfilling its call to establish YHWH as their Elohim and the restoration of all the Torah that makes sense of the coming of Yahshua for without Torah he would come to a grossly Pagan Nation and be unable to fulfil his divine purpose as this promise reveals:

Yochanan (John) 1:17 For the Torah was given by Mosheh (Moses) prophesying favour (grace) and truth to come to fulfilment through Yahshua the Messiah. (Hidden Truths Hebraic Scrolls N.T.)

However at the time of Yahshua the faith of the Torah had been greatly distorted so we see Yahshua doing many things contrary to the customs of the Elders as it is often called but we know he was making a point to reveal the true Torah which was never as burdensome as the many regulations the Perushim (The Pharisees) implemented.

e.g. The Perushim (Pharisees) enacted over 500 laws concerning the keeping of the Sabbath including what was work, how far one could walk etc;

Talmud Shabbat 108b:19-25 details the prohibition of putting saliva on one’s eye on the Shabbat.

It was because the Pharisees so misrepresented Torah that Yahshua also warned his followers to be wary of “the Leaven of the Pharisees.” Matt 16:6

This can be often a great challenge for us as well that in our passion we impose many of the “Halachah” which have great merit as though they are Torah much like the Perushim (Pharisees) with their “Takanot.”

One particular example that caused a confrontation Yahshua had with the Scribes & Pharisees was over the washing of hands which he does not address but Yahshua’s rebuke goes far deeper to show how the Pharisees were overruling the true Torah which Yahshua was always in his ministry reviving:

MattithYahu Matthew 15: 3-6 But Yahshua answered & said to them, why do you also transgress the commandment of Elohim by your tradition? 4 For Elohim said respect your father and mother and he that curses father or mother let him be put to death ( Sh’mot 21:17). 5 But you say whosoever shall say to his Father or Mother, it is a gift to Elohim by whatever you might have been helped by me 6 and does not respect his father he shall be free. Thus have you made the word of Elohim of no effect by your tradition.

To those however who disregard the Mitzvot (Commandments) there is a grave reminder to establish the truth of obedience to the Commands since scripture details those who are the Set-apart believers in:

Hitgalut (Revelations) 14:12 Here is the steadfast endurance of the Kedoshim (the set-apart saints); here are they that guard and keep the commandments of Elohim (G_d) and the faith of Yahshua.

This verse shows that Yochanan (John) clearly reveals that the true set-apart Saints or believers are those who display the evidence of Keeping the Mitzvot (Commandments) of Elohim as well as having the faith of Yahshua but even more thought provoking is this next verse:

Hitgalut (Revelations) 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Yahshua & the Torah:

To fully grasp the significance of Torah we need to look at the life of Yahshua and understand some truths that are clearly revealed in his Ministry that demonstrate his desire to restore the Torah in many ways since the Torah had by then been grossly mishandled.

The Torah as Defence

We read that Yahshua was led by the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) into the wilderness to be tempted by Ha Satan and he reveals that he used Scripture to defeat Ha Satan as we should also:

Matthew 4:2- 4 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of Elohim, command that these stones become Lekhem (bread).” 4 And Yahshua answered and said, it is written; Man shall not live by Lechem (bread) alone but by every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of YHWH.

It is interesting that Yahshua did not use experience as his defence when Ha Satan questioned his identity since we know that forty days earlier a voice from heaven verified that he was the son of Elohim at his Mikveh (immersion). In this confrontation we see Yahshua quoting directly from Devarim (Deuteronomy) two times and Tehillim (psalms) once showing that the word that proceed out of the Mouth of YHWH to all Yisrael was the Torah and the writings as written by Mosheh and the Neviim (Prophets). This teaches us that we like Yahshua should use the Torah in defence of the onslaught of the enemy.

The Misunderstood Statements of Yahshua:

Now we come to the statements that Yahshua made which have so often been misunderstood in order to impose a meaning that they were not intended to bring. One particular verse that many today fall over is the following:

MattithYahu (Matthew) 5:17 Think not that I have come to destroy the Torah (Law) or the Prophets: I have not come to destroy but to reveal its full intended meaning. (Hidden Truths N.T.)

Many versions use the term Fulfil or complete which has brought much misunderstanding to this verse. This verse needs to be understood as an Idiom. To destroy from a Rabbinical point of view meant to misinterpret or misrepresent the Torah while to fulfil would mean to correctly interpret or represent the Torah. The language of Yahshua indicates that he was well versed with 1st Century Judaism and the Rabbinic ways of saying things. Yahshua in speaking to the Multitudes was saying that nothing would change until all the prophecies of Torah would come to fulfilment meaning until the last day “hoshanna Rabbah” the Great day also called Shemini Atzeret or Simcha Torah (the Joy of Torah).

To fully appreciate Yahshua’s meaning we read further a word with regards keeping of the Commandments (the Mitzvot):

MattithYahu (Matthew) 5: 19 Whoever therefore shall break one of the least of these commandments and shall teach men to do so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of the heavens and whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of the heavens.

We know that the entire ministry of Yahshua was meant to culminate in him taking the sins of the whole World upon himself which was only necessary, in compliance with Torah that mankind could have relationship with YHWH renewed but he also spent much of his ministry correcting and opposing the “Takanot” or added commandments of the Pharisees that would often override and smother the True Torah which was truly quite liberating. In so doing Yahshua was bringing the true understanding of Torah and in no way casting it aside.

What we find of Yahshua is a perfect picture of complete obedience to the Torah through obedience to all aspects of the Feasts, the Shabbat and through his preaching which was in perfect accordance to the Torah so the verses in the Letter of Yochanan (John) truly demonstrates the importance of Torah Keeping for every believer:

Yochanan Aleph (1 John) 2:4-6 He that says I know him and does not guard his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. 5. But whoever guards his word, the love of Elohim is made whole in him; this is how we know that we are in him.

6. He that says he abides in him ought also to walk just as he walked.

The Hebrew word for guard is “shomer”which is like a Soldier guarding his post in time of War. According to Yochanan (John) the true measure of a person that is saved is whether he guards his Word the Torah to the best of his ability and walks in Torah as Yahshua did.

Another challenging Scripture that Yahshua spoke is found in:

MattithYahu (Matthew) 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in the Heavens. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in your name and done mighty works in your name? And then I will say to them openly I never knew you; depart from me you who act wickedly [disregarding My Commands].” (Amplified Bible)

Who then are those that the Master does not know! We find here that the ones the Master rejects are defined by their action of lawlessness or as the Torah would say walking in Torahlessness. What particular people today can be seen doing mighty works in his name without the obedience of Torah?

Many also will tell you that there are only two Commandments that are needed and this understanding comes from the following:

MattithYahu (Matthew) 22:36- 40 Rebbe (Teacher) which is the great commandment in the Torah (Law)? 37 Yahshua said to him “Shema Yisrael YHWH Eloheinu YHWH echad” And you shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Torah & the Prophets.

From this has come much teaching that all that one needs to obey is these two yet Yahshua is simply quoting Torah and not making anything New and then revealing that the love of YHWH and one’s neighbour is the foundations that the Torah & Prophets are built on. Torah without love becomes legalism and love without obedience is disobedience and selfishness. Nothing Yahshua ever said ever negated the Torah so we always come back to these words of Truth:

Yahuchanan (John) 14:15 “If you love me, keep my Commandments (Mitzvot).”

Yahuchanan Aleph (1 John) 5:3 For this is the love of Elohim, that we guard his Mitzvot (Commandments) and his commandments are not burdensome.

In Summary:

In this Journey that the faith of YHWH has taken we now have discovered that if we view the many miracles and confrontations that Yahshua had, there is a thread that pervades them all. In truth he was often confronting the Takanot (added commandments) of the Pharisees in order to reveal the truth of Torah which had so often been hidden to make the commands of men superior. In so doing he was revealing the heart of the Father which was compassionate thereby establishing Torah as a blessing and not a burden. The Torah was always meant to bring us to understand that we need Yahshua who is the perfect sacrifice for sin as Shaul (Paul) puts it but even this has been grossly misunderstood by making it sound as though the Torah has ended:

Romi’Yah (Romans) 10:4 For Messiah is the goal of the Torah for everyone that believes.

In the Greek it is “telos nomou Chrestus” which has a more accurate meaning of to reach a desired place or goal. When we reach Moshiach (Messiah) we do not stop doing Torah but rather we learn to do it afresh and from a heart filled with gratitude. To the gentiles it was the entry point into the Covenant that would prevent contention over who was better since Shaul (Paul) also says:

Romi’Yah (Romans) 3:9-10 What then? Are we better than they? No in no wise: for we have before proved that both Yahudim and Greeks are under transgression.

10 As it is written “there is none right ruling (Righteous) no not one.

Quoted from Tehillim (Psalms) 14:3 & 53:3

The aim of this discussion is simply to establish one of the central purposes for Yahshua’s Ministry. We find apart from acknowledging that his Purpose was to give his life for the World he also came for the purpose of revealing the True Kingdom of Elohim:

Luke 4:43 He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of Elohim to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

What then was he teaching? Was it that he would die so all might live free of the Torah. If this was his teaching why did none of his disciples understand when he was crucified! Was he teaching however the understanding of true Torah that revealed a true love of Elohim and by so doing was he revealing the True heart of the Father whose words were given to Mosheh and the Neviim (Prophets) to bring liberty and cause Mankind to know true freedom!

It was in fact a “New Heart” that Mankind needed and not a watered down law and so by Yahshua’s sacrifice Man through faith in him received a change in heart that his Torah could be written on the heart.

The Truth of the Matter

The Torah of YHWH has undergone many hard fought challenges to come to us.

With the Revival of the Beyth Ha Mikdash (The Temple) and the faith of Yisrael restored the coming of Yahshua Ha Moshiach (the Messiah) was fully prepared.

Yahshua did not come to destroy the Torah but to see it fully revealed.

To say we know Him we must also walk as he walked.

The goal of Torah was to bring us to Moshiach (Messiah).

If we believe the Torah is good we need to be uncompromising and zealous to see his truth revealed.

Finally based on all we have seen we can now truthfully investigate what the early Kehilot the Assemblies believed and how they walked out their Faith.

Amein.

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The Obligations of the Student - Part 9 - Spiritual Wardrobe

September 3, 2016

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The Obligations of the Student Part 9

Spiritual Wardrobe

Introduction

Since the fall in Gan Eden (Garden of Eden) clothing, the application of a foreign object to provide man with warmth, dignity and protection, has been a staple part of human existence.

The first fashioner of clothing was the Creator Himself. “Yahweh Elohim made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)”

Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) who’s slogan is “Animals are not ours,” an animal rights movement who protest and lobbies against the use of animals for just about every purpose, appose the use of animals for producing clothing made with fur, leather, wool, or silk. It also opposes the use of down from birds and the use of silk from silkworms or spiders. The group notes on its website: “Every year, millions of animals are killed for the clothing industry—all in the name of fashion. Whether the clothes come from Chinese fur farms, Indian slaughterhouses, or the Australian outback, an immeasurable amount of suffering goes into every fur-trimmed jacket, leather belt, and wool sweater.”

This organisation’s stance on the use of animals for clothing and food is a direct affront to the natural order and the will of the Almighty Himself who sanctioned these practices for human kind. “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. (Genesis 9:3)”

If Peta and many similar organisations had their way, it would be against the law to manufacture and own kosher Torah scrolls, mezuzot, and Tefillin (prayer phylacteries), three objects made from the hide of sheep, goats, oxen, cows or donkeys.

Wearing clothing is the fulfillment of a command and is seen in our faith and Orthodox Judaism as a vehicle for religious observance.

We are also commanded in the Torah not to wear clothing that is a mixture of different material. “Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together. (Deuteronomy 22:11)” The wearing of non-kosher clothing is called Shatnez (mixture).

Many fabrics today have mixed fibers and are not 100% any particular one material, and this is usually permitted, unless wool and linen (or wool products and linen products) are mixed.

“Wool and linen attached to each other by any means is forbidden. It does not matter whether they are sewn together, spun, twisted, glued, or any method of attaching whatsoever. Any method of combining wool and linen is forbidden. Wool that has linen thread through it, linen that has woolen thread through it, wool and linen fabric sewn together by silk (or any type of thread), wool or linen held together by a needle or pin - all these are forbidden. However, it is permitted to wear a linen garment over a woolen garment, or vice versa, since they are not attached to each other.” Source - www.beingjewish.com

The first and most striking feature of clothing of the male Netzri or Yehudi (Nazarene or Jew) is the tallit, a prayer shawl, which is designed to support four tassels or cords made of wool. The first and most impactful thing a Christian notices about a gathering of true Netzarim (Nazarenes) is the wearing of these garments. At the point of donning these vestments a newcomer is either in or out. They’re either intrigued or they’re looking for the door as the room fills with ghost like images.

The tallit is a garment one can wear to create a sense of personal space during prayer - the name comes from two root words: TAL meaning tent and ITH meaning little. Thus, you have a ‘little tent” or a mini mishkan (tabernacle) By wrapping yourself in it, you create a buffer zone between you and the outside world. In doing this your prayers, conversations and reflections are given privacy.

King Messiah Yahshua said “when you pray, enter into your chamber, and shut the door…” (Matthew 6:6) This passage refers to the Jewish practice of using one’s tallit (prayer shawl) to create a private chamber over one’s head in which to pray with some privacy even in a public location. According to the Book of Jasher Enoch often concealed himself in his “chamber” (same word in the Hebrew) and his soul was “wrapped up” in the instruction of Yahweh (Jasher 3:2, 5)

Interestingly the tallit is not mentioned specifically as a command to wear it, however, the tzitzit (fringes) are commanded, which rely upon the staging of a four cornered garment.

“Yahweh said to Moshe, 'Speak to the Israelites and say to them: Throughout the generations to come, you are to make tassels on the corners of one's garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so will remember all the commands of Yahweh, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all My commands, and will be consecrated to your Elohim. I am Yahweh your Elohim. (Numbers 15:37-41a)”

We’ve talked about the symbolism of the tallit in the past, mentioning its relationship to the tabernacle and its symbolism of the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) and even its Kabbalistic link to the Cloud of Glory that adorned the first humans before the fall, but there is yet another significance to its design.

In Judaism it is taught that wearing a tallit (prayer shawl) combats depression, protecting an occupant from tormenting spirits. But in what way? In Isaiah 53:5 there is mention of Moshiach’s afflictions and the final form addressed is an interesting word. It’s usual English rendering is “stripes.”

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)” This is interesting, because we can see symbolism not only on the tallit with its customary stripes, but across several religious icons, such as the mishkan (tabernacle), Israeli flag and the matzah bread (unleavened bread).

But I still haven’t answered the question. In what way does it combat evil. Well, the blue stripes represent the wounds, the blue bruises and the blood of Messiah rising to the surface. What does the word say? “…when I see the blood, I will pass over you. (Exodus 12:13)”

The notion of a powerful mantle, robe or cloak is imbedded in the psyche of every human being. A special garment or ‘mantel’ that enwraps is a feature of nearly every wise and powerful figure throughout ancient history. So ingrained is this feature that it has risen up through the ages as a chief article of adornment of specially empowered individuals, even fictitious superheroes.

Next up is the tzitzit (fringes or tassels).

Tzizit also called gadilim, which means ‘twisted tassel with a knot,’ is a lock, a fringe, a tassel, or a forelock of hair.

As we’ve said, wearing of a tallit is a commandment by proxy, because though it is not officially directed, the tzitzyot, which are commanded, are supported by it. Note Numbers 15:38; “…they shall make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments…affix a thread of tekhelet on the fringe of each corner.” And in Deuteronomy 22:12; “You shall make tassels on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself.”

Observing the mitzvah of tzitzit is equivalent to all the mitzvot in the Torah, because it reminds us of all of them based on Numbers 15:40; “So that you shall remember and perform all My commandments, and you shall be holy to your Elohim.”

The colour of the tzitzit are also mandated in Scripture. “…and that they shall affix a thread of tekhelet sky-blue [wool] on the fringe of each corner. (Numbers 15:38)”

The observant eye will notice that the commandment to wear tzitzit is accompanied by mention of a colour, תכלתtekhelet, usually translated as ‘blue wool’ and yet most Orthodox Jews refrain from wearing a blue colour in their tzitzit. Why is this?

There are a myriad of reasons. The most common is that the sea animal that provided the unique royal blue coloured dye is in dispute. The Murex trunculus, a type of sea snail is said to not match various descriptions given by certain Rishonim (leading rabbis of the past). Some rabbis around the 19th century believed the Sepia Officinalis (the common cuttlefish) fulfills the requirement of tekhelet. There are other species of sea animals as well and the debate is very complex.

According to the Talmud, the dye of tekhelet was produced from a marine creature known as the kḥillazon (also spelledchilazon). And according to the Tosefta (Men. 9:6), the khillazon is the exclusive source of the dye. Which animal is the khillazon is an ongoing debate.

The means of obtaining the techelet dye is from the cuttlefish call Chilazon: “The Chilazon is this: its body is like the sea, its creation is like fish, it comes up once in seventy years and with its blood one dyes techelet - consequently it is expensive”.(Menacchhot 44a)

The main argument Jews have against wearing tekhelet is over false sources, but there are other excuses. Here are some:

* Haredi rabbis: We don't deviate from the previous generation's mesorah, even if they call left "right" and right "left".

* Haredi layfolk: Because my rav doesn't wear it.

* Modern rabbis: We probably should, but it's not my mission.

* Modern layfolk: Eh, not interested. Plus, the people who wear it tend to be, er... "eccentric" types.

Encouragingly, many Orthodox Jews are beginning to reincorporate the wearing of tekhelet in their tzitzit, but as we can see the debate over the source of the dye and the other reasons given should not discourage the observance of a clearly exhibited commandment.

Photo at Kotel (discuss)

Tzitzit teach us to make spirituality a part of our daily reality. In seeing the tzitzit, we have a tangible reminder of an incorporeal Elohim, in this way we catch a glimpse of the Divine in all things. This idea is evident from Song of Songs 2:9, where it says “Behold, says the maiden, he stands behind our wall, looking in through the windows, and peering through the lattice work.”

The Hebrew words May’tzeetz min ha’chah’rah’keem, are translated as ‘peers’ or ‘peaks’ through the lattice work. The implication of this interpretation is that through the mitzvah of Tzitzit, Elohim peeks at His people, constantly keeping an eye on them, watching out for their benefit and well-being, reminding them to be faithful and good.

(Slide) Worshippers kiss the Tzitzit when they are mentioned in prayers. Since the Tzitzit points to Messiah, kissing it reminds us of Psalm 2:12, ‘‘Kiss the Son lest He be angry.’’ With this rightly understood, kissing the Tzitzit is in obedience to this commandment. This is proper because we see the Messiah in the fringes.

(Slide) Each Tzitzit consists of 7 white strands representing the number of perfection and the tekhelet (blue thread) makes 8, the number of new beginnings. The numerical value of tzitzit is 600. This combined with the 8 strands and 5 knots makes a total of 613, the total number of commandments in the Torah.

Did you Know? When people wear tzitzit they are literally donning the 613 commandments of the Torah. This in effect places spiritual armour over all the 248 organs of the body and its 365 sinews, which add up to 613.

(Slide) The tzitzit that hang from the four corners of the tallit contain numerical values that teach and re-enforce Torah principles. This is what’s called gematria (Hebrew) a form of ‘Biblical numerology.’ Every thread, twist and tie of the thread that make tzitzit is pregnant with meaning.

Each tassel (tzitzit) should have 39 windings (7+8+11+13), which are separated by 5 lots of 2 double knots (7+8 =15 + 11 = 26) 26 is the total numerical value of the name of Yahweh. 13 is the value of Echad (one). Therefore the windings of each Tzitzit say “Yahweh is one.”

Each tassel (Tzitzis) should have 39 windings (7+8+11+13), which are separated by 5 lots of 2 double knots (7+8 =15 + 11 = 26) 26 is the total numerical value of the name of Yahweh. 13 is the value of Echad (one). Therefore the windings of each Tzitzit say “Yahweh is one.”