FFOZ Blogs

I would like to see research on the commandment in regard to women wearing tzitzit.
Thank you,
Darnell Rogers
Arden, NC

***Toby's Response:*** Excellent idea.

Darnell Rogers | October 29, 2008 6:53 AM

I'm looking forward to this resource. I have recently been discussing the topic of tzitzit with a few Orthodox Jews...specifically regarding tekhelet. I am curious to hear different opinions within the Jewish community regarding the use of it. Being a Gentile myself, of course I am interested to hear more regarding differing views on non-Jews wearing tzitzit. These are both very basic questions, but I am still looking to hear more on the subject.

***Toby's Comments:*** Great suggestions. I plan to present a lot of research into techelet and gave various different opinions. Good idea to address the issue of Gentiles and tzitzit. I have done a little research into the traditional thought on this. Thanks.

Aree Ogir | October 29, 2008 6:55 AM

I'm so glad you are working on this resource. I look forward to it.

I am interested in the mechanics of wearing tzitzit... belt loops, tallit katan, etc. I've seen so many people with differing opinions of how to observe the mitzvot. I would like clearer guidance on what are appropriately respectful ways to wear tzitzit, especially in non-schul environments (i.e. daily life) and especially as a non-Jewish person observing the mitzvot.

Thanks again for doing this and allowing us to chime in as well.

Blessings in Messiah,

Lee :-)

Lee Acker | October 29, 2008 9:07 AM

Hi Toby,

I would like to see the question addressed of whether Gentiles should/could wear Tzitzit. I appreciate the change in course that is presented in the TC1 and hope this will be continued in the production of these books.

This summer on the airport while being on my way to Israel I saw a man with his children wearing Tzitzit (white) but no Kippah. This amazed me but then I saw one of his children wearing a bracelet with WWJD, and suddenly it made sense again:P No seriously, this is embarrasing. I hope attention will be paid to what one conveys when wearing Tzitzit.

Blessings,

Daniel

***Toby's Response:*** Well said. I agree that there are some sensitivities in regards to wearing tzitzit that we in Messianic Judaism have at times ignored. This will certainly be addressed in the book.

Daniel K | October 29, 2008 9:37 AM

I would like to see how this commandment was carried out in the time of the second temple, how Yeshua carried it out and also how carrying out the commandment has changed since 2nd temple times, (if it has). Also explaining this phrase in particular, "Speak to the children of Israel", does it mean male, female, what does the Hebrew say and mean? And why should we fulfill this commandment according to how 'greater Israel" does it. Is that enough, ha ha? Oh yeah, and what about that "techelet"? Looking forward to the completion of this booklet. Thanks

***Toby's Response:*** There will definitely be a section on archeology and the history of this practice. Thanks for all the other suggestions as well!

Frances Denman | October 29, 2008 9:52 AM

Daniel K

I'm confused. Am I supposed to wear a kippah if I wear tzitzit? If so, please explain to me why. In love, shalom.

-Jay

***Toby's Response:*** Daniel K. can answer as well, but I will add that although I am not one to try to tell people what to do, this might be an area that we could show some sensitivity to the Jewish community. When we as Messianic wear our tzitzit's out and don't cover our heads it sends a very confusing message to the Jewish community. they would never think of doing this. Now putting aside the argument of whether one should cover their head or not, I would suggest that while in public it might be a good idea to either tuck one's tzitzit's in or where some kind of hat. I will talk about this much more in depth in the book. I am not dogmatic about this but I add it here as food for thought.

Jay | October 29, 2008 9:58 AM

I am interested in the history regarding the persecution that led to only donning tzitzit during prayer; same with phylacteries. Maybe that is too much to go into for this resource.

I'm sure you will address the halachic balance that is necessary with this commandment; i.e. is it appropriate to always walk around with strings hanging out vs. do we always tuck them in, so no one would ever know they are there. We should always be mindful that we are called to be holy (separate), but we also want to heed the Master and not become a spectacle everywhere we go.

These booklets are great.

Shalom

Cliff | October 29, 2008 10:02 AM

Toby,
The series has been wonderful so far, and I look forward to more to come. I'd like to see some information on the age at which our sons should start wearing tzit tzit. With our oldest son, we started him at age five, but with our other two boys, they started as soon as they were potty-trained. What approach does Judaism take?
Blessings,
Sarah C.

Sarah C | October 29, 2008 10:50 AM

The other books in this series has given me a great deal of confidence in carrying out those commandments. In other words, I'm not left dangling out in no-man's-land in terms of how to "do" those commandments. If we are truly a part of Israel, shouldn't we embrace at least the basics of Orthodox Jewish expression? These books have shown how we can do that as Gentile Believers. I don't really have any new suggestions but if this book will be like the others, then I'll be happy. Thanks Toby for all of your hard work (and the rest of the staff, of course!).

Daniel C | October 29, 2008 11:15 AM

To wear or not to wear, and if so, where, has been a big problem with me. The question comes up, we have the Ruach Kodesh that lives within us, and if we do, we should not allow lust to enter into our minds. On the other hand, I have had conversation where a person thought I was a Jew and I was able to witness the gospel to him. I have seen people wearing zitzits and they were the long kind and as far I am concerned, they were not living a Torah life style, they were caught up in intellectual ego. The key, if wearing them helps in the walk, wear them. There are times not to, the best witness is love G-d with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. Live it.

Jim Moore | October 29, 2008 11:50 AM

Intersting comments, and ones that I deal with myself, and watch others deal with. I just hope and pray that as we all deal with the commandments of God, that we take what James wrote pretty seriously.
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undeflied before God, the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in thier affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)
Are we helping those who need help? If not why not?

May the Lord bless those at FFOZ who seek the Father's heart and bring these teaching on Torah to us.

***Toby's Response:*** Amen!

Jim Rickard | October 29, 2008 12:12 PM

Toby said: "I would suggest that while in public it might be a good idea to either tuck one's tzitzit's in or where some kind of hat."

Lucky for me I usually have a hat on at all times. ;J

So, it's a respect thang....cool with me. Peace!

jay | October 29, 2008 1:18 PM

Hi Toby,

I would like to know if there is a connection between tzit-tzit and the tallit, either men's or women's. Also, I am curious about not only the Orthodox expression of this commandment, but also the Conservative expression (if there is one). Specifically, I am curious whether there is a way for me as a Gentile woman to participate in this commandment without being offensive to all Jews and without necessarily wearing a head-covering all of the time. (For that matter, do you plan to ever do a booklet on head-coverings?)

Do you plan to make any recommendations to the Messianic community on how to keep this commandment, for unity's sake?

Thanks for your work on this project!

--Carrie

***Toby's Response:*** Good suggestions. I will attempt to address these in the book. A paper on head coverings will God willing be coming out soon.

Carrie | October 29, 2008 4:21 PM

Thank you for this upcoming booklet. I just recently started wearing tzitzit on a daily basis, but on the inside of my clothing. I debated with myself as to whether or not to wear them on the outside - was I being a coward by not wanting to be hasseled at work? I decided discretion was the better way to go. Besides, they are for ME to see and remember God's commandments, not for others to see and remember. I also would like to see you include in the booklet how they wore tzitzit in Yeshua's time. I know they didn't have prayer shawls at that time, but wore them on the corners of their outer garment. How were they tied? When did the custom of tying them in knots to equal 613 start, and do we have to follow that custom today? As for techelet, is using a blue cord or string of similar color OK or does it have to be made from snails? I'm looking forward to reading this new booklet and hopefully finding some answers to these long held questions. Thanks for all your work. Shalom

Yvonne | October 29, 2008 4:45 PM

hey toby, hows it going? i was wondering about the way or ways of tying (with diagrams(childproof ones are always good!!)), as well as prayers for donning and doffing? as well as differing ways of wearing them (like belt loops or talit katan )and general stuff about good manners, because for some us in the middle of nowhere we could wear our tzitzit on our hats( hey, would be handy when running out he door late!) and nobody would know the differnce, so for unitys sake a common thread would be good. thanks, take it easy.

brucks w | October 29, 2008 11:26 PM

There are practical questions, as well. If one works around heavy machinery (as my husband does), wearing tzitzit can be a serious safety hazzard. Is it acceptable to wear them only on one's "off time"?

MJ

MJ Belko | October 30, 2008 8:20 AM

Please discuss the conept what it means according to Yeshua, to repent for the Kingdom of God or the Kindom of Heaven is at hand. And the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven with authority to bind and loose.

***Toby's Response:*** Can you explain to me how you feel this is connected to tzitzit?

Henry Anderson | October 30, 2008 11:23 AM

Shalom Brother Toby,

Please do a section addressing the commandment in Deuteronomy 22:5

5 A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the Lord thy God. (ASV)

Shalom to you and yours take care.

D.A. Fluker Jr. | October 30, 2008 4:56 PM

Toby,

I would be interested in knowing what tzitzit looked like on the ancient Israelites' garments and how they were worn in the days of the Master.

Shalom,
Ryan

Ryan Blackwelder | October 30, 2008 6:48 PM

Great questions! I would ask that the lines between commandment and tradition are clearly drawn. The link between head covering and tzitzit would also be a great topic for us coming from the gentile side of the house. One question I have about tucking the tzitzit in is that I don't "see" them, though most of the time I know they are there. I do need to tuck mine in while at work for safety reasons, but generally wear them out at all other times (and was unaware of any issue of not wearing a head covering). Thanks for all you do and Shalom!

Tyler M | October 31, 2008 8:16 AM

Shalom Toby,
I too appreciate all that FFOZ does in providing guidance and teaching in regards to this lifestyle.

In regards to tzit-tzit, I would recommend addressing cotton versus wool. belt loops versus tallit (neatzit type), and in or out. Do we call them tzit-tzits, tassles, or fringes? I have also seen a variety in tying styles (traditional as well as very short with Kariate "chains"). Additionally, colors...traditional white...white with techelet...or even techelet with a color other than white. And lastly, how do the Jewish view our wide variation in application of this mitzvot? Shouldn't we all simply be trying to emulate them?

Don | November 1, 2008 8:34 PM

Toby, a few years ago we spoke on tzitzit and you mentioned the Yemenite tie as being an older way to tie tzitzit. The closest thing I could find to this was the Yemenite way of tying the chulyot, which is used in the "Rambam" tie on P'til Techelet's website. I think many of us would be interested in older methods of tying such as this. Also, please include the blessings surrounding the tying, in Hebrew and English.

***Toby's Response:*** Yes, I will include info on that as well as documentation.

Ya'akov | November 3, 2008 12:12 PM

Thank you everyone for your comments! these were very helpful I am going to close this out now but anyone who has posted comments above please e-mail me toby @ ffoz.org with your name and address and I'll send you a free copy of the book when it comes out.

Toby Janicki | November 3, 2008 12:20 PM