The Scriptures command all males who have come of age to enter into Shavu'ot covenants and to wear tzitzit, tassels or fringes as signs that they are Sons of Covenant or Bar Mitzvah:
"You shall make tzitzit (tassels, fringes) on the four corners of the clothing with which you cover yourself" (Deut.22:12, NKJV).
This was bound by a blue cord and served to remind the wearer of Yahweh's mitzvot (commandments), the need to obey them and to be qadosh (holy, set-apart). More than that, wearing them is an ordinance which demonstrates outwardly that a man has been consecrated as Yahweh's:
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tzitzit (tassels, fringes) on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the mitzvot (commandments) 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 mitzvot (commandments) and will be consecrated to your Elohim (God)" (Num.15:38-40, NIV).
Various monuments show Hebrews wearing fringed garments, as does the art of the Middle East. The illustrations here are taken from such art. Notice how little they resemble the tzitzit of modern Judaism. In New Testament times those ostentatious Jews who delighted in an outward show of piety put noticeably wide fringe borders on their garments (Mt.13:5).
A Hebrew Captive in Egypt
from around the time of Hezekiah (probably of the Tribe of Joseph) - notice the olive-coloured skin, blue eyes, black hair & the colour, arrangement & positioning of the tzitzit
Various biblical passages attach significance to the hem of the garment as in the well-known story of David secretly cutting off the corner of King Saul's garment while he was on the run (1 Sam.24:4-20). Perhaps the most important account concerns the woman with an issue of blood, illustrating the great seriousness with which the Hebrews viewed this mitzvah (commandment) that men wear tzitzit:
"And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem (kanaf = borders) of His garment. For she said to herself, 'If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.' But Yah'shua (Jesus) turned around, and when He saw her He said, 'Be of good cheer, daughter; your emunah (faith) has made you well.' And the woman was made well from that hour" (Matt.9:20-22, NKJV; also Lk.8:43-47).
This word kanaf (borders, hem) is also found in a revelation received by the navi (prophet) Malachi which the woman must have understood, for it reads:
"...to you who fear My name Shemesh Tzadakah (the Sun of Righteousnes = Yah'shua/Jesus) shall arise with healing in His wings (kanaf = borders, hem)" (Mal.4:2, NKJV).
Yah'shua (Jesus) obeyed the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah (Law) without sin, being the Righteous One of Israel, who indeed brought healing in His kanaf (wings, hem, tzitzit). The woman knew this and touched them, believing she would be healed, and was healed - by her emunah in the One who is the Divine Physician.
The tzitzit, then, represent many important things and should be worn by men at all times. Learn more about this emet (truth) and why it is still relevent and mandated in the New Covenant of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) in the articles that follow.
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