The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels 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 commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’” (Numbers 15:37-41 NIV)
The Prayer Shawl - Tallit (Tallitot pl.)
Say 'Taal-eet' (pl.Taal-eetott)
Ancient Jewish Man wearing A Tallit
The tallit or Prayer Shawl is always white representing the dwelling place of God.
The Royal Blue stripe represents the Ruach HaKodesh – the Holy Spirit.
Praying under a prayer shawl or tallit is like covering yourself with the presence of God – a private prayer closet or a little tent.
In the Brit Hadasha (New Testament) Yeshua (Jesus) discussing "prayer" with his disciples says the following:
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
The tallit sets you apart to pray in secret to the Lord, and Jewish men use their prayer shawls in this way, to shut out the world as they pray.
The Royal Blue stripe represents the Ruach HaKodesh – the Holy Spirit.
Praying under a prayer shawl or tallit is like covering yourself with the presence of God – a private prayer closet or a little tent.
In the Brit Hadasha (New Testament) Yeshua (Jesus) discussing "prayer" with his disciples says the following:
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
The tallit sets you apart to pray in secret to the Lord, and Jewish men use their prayer shawls in this way, to shut out the world as they pray.
In ancient Israel, (and indeed also today amongst observant Jews) men wore 4 cornered outer tunics with tassels or 'tzitziyot' tied to the 4 corners. These tassels were to remind each Jewish man of his responsibility to fulfil God’s commandments.
These tassels are tied into 613 knots to remind them of the 613 laws of Moses of which there are 365 prohibitions (the “thou shalt not” laws) and 248 affirmations (the “thou shall” laws). The knots also correspond with the unspeakable name of God "YHVH" (“Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey,”) and represent God’s authority. Each tzitzit consists of 5 double knots and eight threads, a total of 13 elements. This number is added to 600 the numerical value of the word ‘tzitzit’ and points to the 613 commandments of Torah. |
Tzitziyot in the New Testament/Brit Hadasha
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelations 19:11-13,16 NIV)
A name written that no-one knows but He himself:
1.The indescribable name of God YHVH (v.12)
2.The Word of God (v.13)
3.The King of Kings
4.And Lord of Lords (v.16)
The purpose of the four fringes (tzitziyot) is to proclaim the Word of the Lord, so as to remember His commandments and walk accordingly.
A name written that no-one knows but He himself:
1.The indescribable name of God YHVH (v.12)
2.The Word of God (v.13)
3.The King of Kings
4.And Lord of Lords (v.16)
The purpose of the four fringes (tzitziyot) is to proclaim the Word of the Lord, so as to remember His commandments and walk accordingly.
Kanaph (Wings)
The earliest mention of kanaph (wings) is found in Exodus 19:4 where the text reads: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.’ We can conclude from this verse that through the kanaph there is deliverance, the children of Israel were delivered or set free from the Egyptians because God bore them on eagle’s wings and took them to himself.
We next find David cutting the tzitzit off the corner of King Saul’s garment as recorded in 1Samuel 24:3-4 “He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.”
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David had robbed Saul of his authority, the fringe of his garment that identified him as king. In the Psalms David often refers to the safety of God’s wings, Psalm 17:8 reads “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” and Psalm 91 reminds us to “dwell in the shadow of the most high and find refuge under his wings.”
Because these knots hung from the 4 corners of the Jewish garment, they were a constant reminder to walk according to God’s laws. The Hebrew word we have translated as ‘law’ is better translated as "instruction or direction.” Following God’s law is a daily ‘walk’ and to stay on the path of righteousness, we all need constant reminding. Wearing these tassels would be comparable to a Christian wearing a cross or even a bible around their neck.
Why was so much attention and detail given to the construction of these fringes? Each tassel having 7 white strands equalling the number of perfection, surrounded by a blue strand depicting royalty or a reminder of God in heaven watching over our every action. The fringes were there to remind the Israelites that life was to be lived wholly dependent on God and not independent of Him. A life of faith and trust, a life bound, wrapped and tied up in the Lord.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’
And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8:20-23(NIV)
Because these knots hung from the 4 corners of the Jewish garment, they were a constant reminder to walk according to God’s laws. The Hebrew word we have translated as ‘law’ is better translated as "instruction or direction.” Following God’s law is a daily ‘walk’ and to stay on the path of righteousness, we all need constant reminding. Wearing these tassels would be comparable to a Christian wearing a cross or even a bible around their neck.
Why was so much attention and detail given to the construction of these fringes? Each tassel having 7 white strands equalling the number of perfection, surrounded by a blue strand depicting royalty or a reminder of God in heaven watching over our every action. The fringes were there to remind the Israelites that life was to be lived wholly dependent on God and not independent of Him. A life of faith and trust, a life bound, wrapped and tied up in the Lord.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’
And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8:20-23(NIV)
Refuge "under God's wings"
Ruth and Boaz
In the Book of Ruth we find Ruth gleaning in the fields of Naomi’s relative Boaz and his response to her according to
Ruth 2:12
“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. ”
Then in Ruth 3:9 we find Ruth at the feet of Boaz at the threshing floor:
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (“take me under your wing/Kanaph – cover me,” a term of intimacy).
Boaz was one of Bethlehem's wealthiest citizens, he was an honourable man and married Ruth the Gentile woman who took refuge under his garment or authority. Ruth became grafted in to the house of Israel and subsequently inserted into the lineage of Israel's Kings and recorded in Jesus genealogy.
Ruth 2:12
“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. ”
Then in Ruth 3:9 we find Ruth at the feet of Boaz at the threshing floor:
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (“take me under your wing/Kanaph – cover me,” a term of intimacy).
Boaz was one of Bethlehem's wealthiest citizens, he was an honourable man and married Ruth the Gentile woman who took refuge under his garment or authority. Ruth became grafted in to the house of Israel and subsequently inserted into the lineage of Israel's Kings and recorded in Jesus genealogy.
New Testament (Brit Hadasha) "The Hem of His Garment"
Jesus (Yeshua) heals a sick woman
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:20-22 (NIV)
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:20-22 (NIV)
What was so significant about the hem of Jesus’ garment? At first reading, it appears to be an odd practice, however when we look at the reading from Numbers 15:37-41 we begin to understand the meaning underlying this practice.
The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years referred to in the Gospel accounts knew and understood these traditions, which is why she sought to catch hold of the corner or wing of Yeshua’s garment. She also knew that if indeed He was the promised Messiah, there would be healing in his wings. In the Hebraic context, one wearing a tallit could be said to be dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High” and “under His wings” (Psalm 91:1-4) |
She had heard that Yeshua (Jesus) was the Messiah. It was also apparently the opinion of the crowds that followed him and sought his healing power. She was expressing her belief that He was indeed the Son of Righteousness, the awaited Messiah. When she reached out to catch the fringe of His garment in faith, Yeshua not only restored her physically with healing, but He also restored her socially by calling her ‘daughter’. He accepted her. He blessed her with God’s peace and restored her self-esteem. He told her that her faith in God had brought about her complete healing and restoration.
Let’s look at another Gospel account referring to the corners of Jesus’ garment:
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (Mark 6:53-56 NIV) These verses remind us that “all who touched Him were healed.” They weren’t healed by simply touching His garment in a crowd – they were healed when their faith touched the Power of God and The One who could heal them – the tzitziyot were simply the point of contact to release faith and to receive a touch from the Lord. |
Conclusion:
What about us? How does this apply to us today? No-one is without a need in their life, whether it is for healing, family issues, financial or emotional problems – do we have the simple faith to reach out and touch the tzitziyot of Yeshua’s garment today? If we do, He is waiting for us to reach out to Him in faith and He will meet our needs – even today!
What about us? How does this apply to us today? No-one is without a need in their life, whether it is for healing, family issues, financial or emotional problems – do we have the simple faith to reach out and touch the tzitziyot of Yeshua’s garment today? If we do, He is waiting for us to reach out to Him in faith and He will meet our needs – even today!