
Tzitzit are fringes worn by Jews on the corners of four-cornered garments, including the Tallit (prayer shawl) and Tallit Katan. The Tallit is typically worn by men and boys during prayer services, although it is sometimes worn by women as well. The Tallit Katan is a form of the Tallit that some Jews wear all day and conceal beneath their clothing. The tzitzit may be tucked inside or worn on the garment's sash.
The Hebrew word tzitzit means fringes and refers to the threads that are tied to the four corners of a Tallit. The tzitzit addition to the garment worn by Jewish people is in obedience to God's commandment in the Torah.
The threads attached to the fringes of the Tallit are called tzitzit. They have almost always been made out of white wool and another colour, and they must be spun with a sacred intention in order to serve their function. Four threads are threaded through a hole and looped over on each corner, resulting in eight hanging strings.
The first few inches of each corner's tassel are joined into a single cord with a sequence of double knots and coils. The remaining six threads are then left to hang down. The eight strings and five knots that form the tzitzit on each side of a prayer shawl represent 613 Commandments.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of garments | 2: an undershirt and a T-shirt |
Undershirt type | A rectangular piece of fabric with a head-hole |
Undershirt fit | Shoulders covered, no sleeves |
T-shirt type | Regular T-shirt |
T-shirt fit | Tucked in |
Tzitzit type | Wool or linen |
Tzitzit position | Strings out, or tucked in |
What You'll Learn
- Tzitzit undershirts are available, but some people prefer to wear a regular undershirt with a tzitzit over it
- Tzitzit should be worn throughout the day, per Jewish law
- The tzitzit can be worn on the outside of the t-shirt, or tucked into the pants
- The tzitzit is a reminder of God's law and should be worn to commemorate God and his commandments
- The tzitzit is made up of eight strings and five knots, representing the 613 commandments
Tzitzit undershirts are available, but some people prefer to wear a regular undershirt with a tzitzit over it
The more common style is a rectangular piece of fabric with a head-hole that is worn between an undershirt and your regular shirt. This style is worn by both Ashkenazim and Sephardim. The Sephardic custom is to wear the tzitzit tucked in, while the Ashkenazic custom varies.
Some people prefer to wear an undershirt under their tzitzit to keep the tallit from getting dirty, especially when it is made of wool. However, this can defeat the purpose of wearing just one layer.
When wearing a suit, some people prefer to wear the tzitzit over their shirt, keeping the shirt tucked in. This can be difficult to do neatly.
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Tzitzit should be worn throughout the day, per Jewish law
The tallit katan, or tzitzit, is a small four-cornered garment with tzitzit attached that some Jews wear all day, per Jewish law, and conceal beneath their clothing. The tallit katan is a form of the tallit, a Jewish prayer shawl. The tzitzit are attached to the tallit's corners and can hardly go unnoticed. The Hebrew word tzitzit means "fringes" and refers to the threads that are tied to the four corners of a tallit.
The tallit katan is worn to remind the wearer of their commitment to observe all mitzvah throughout the day. The keyword is "remind" since the laws of God should be kept in mind at all times. Having a symbol that evokes a reminiscence of the law of God close by will help with obedience.
The tallit katan should be worn throughout the day, per Jewish law. However, it is not obligatory to wear tzitzit at night. According to the master Kabbalist the Arizal, it is proper to wear the tallit katan at all times, even at night, although halachically a "night garment" is exempt from tzitzit.
The tallit katan is typically worn under a shirt, with the tzitzit tucked in or worn on the garment's sash. The front and back will be tucked in properly, and the sides slightly less so. Some people allow the tzitzit from their tallit katan to hang out, while others wrap them up in their belts.
The idea is that while reciting the lines from Numbers regarding tzitzit, the wearer will untuck their tzitzit and look at the fringes as a deterrent against sinful thoughts. This is why some men today wear their tzitzit outside their garments for easy access but tuck them away or wrap them around their belts, making them less conspicuous.
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The tzitzit can be worn on the outside of the t-shirt, or tucked into the pants
The tzitzit can be worn in a variety of ways, depending on personal preference and the specific situation. One option is to wear the tzitzit on the outside of the t-shirt, allowing it to be easily seen and accessed. This can be done by pulling the tzitzit up and over the waist of the pants, ensuring that the shirt remains tucked in. This method is often chosen by those who want to fulfil the commandment of wearing tzitzit while also maintaining a neat and dignified appearance.
Another option is to tuck the tzitzit into the pants. This can be done by first tucking in the shirt and then bringing the tzitzit through small holes or slits in the side of the shirt, allowing them to hang down inside the pants. Alternatively, the tzitzit can be tucked into the pants along with the shirt, ensuring that the shirt is tucked in properly around the tzitzit. This method is often chosen by those who want to keep their tzitzit discreet and out of the way, or who prefer a more streamlined look.
In terms of Jewish law, there is no strict requirement regarding whether the tzitzit should be worn inside or outside the t-shirt. The key requirement is that the tzitzit are worn throughout the day and are attached to a four-cornered garment. As most modern clothing does not have corners, the tzitzit are typically worn on a special small tallit, called a tallit katan, which is worn under the clothing. The tallit katan can be worn either tucked into the pants or left outside, depending on the individual's preference and comfort.
It is worth noting that some Rabbinical texts specifically permit tzitzit to be tucked in, while others encourage wearing them outside the garment as a more visible reminder of God's commandments. Ultimately, the decision of how to wear the tzitzit with a t-shirt comes down to personal preference, comfort, and the specific situation or environment one finds themselves in.
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The tzitzit is a reminder of God's law and should be worn to commemorate God and his commandments
The tzitzit is a garment with a long history and significance in Judaism. It is a physical reminder of God's law and commandments, intended to keep people on the righteous path and commemorate God.
The tzitzit is a four-cornered garment with tassels or fringes, worn by Jewish men and women. It is a physical reminder of God's commandments and the covenant with God. The Torah commands the people to wear tzitzit:
> "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them a tassel on the hems of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the tassel of the borders a twine of blue: And it shall be unto you for a tzitzit, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God." -Numbers 15:37-40
The blue thread of the tzitzit is a reminder of the blue robes worn by priests, symbolising the identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. The tzitzit is a way to fulfil the commandment to wear these tassels and to constantly remind oneself of God's law.
The tzitzit is usually worn under a shirt, with the tassels hanging out. It can be worn with a t-shirt, but the shirt must be long enough to cover most of the tzitzit, or the tzitzit must be long enough to be tucked into the shirt. Some people wear a jacket over it, or a sleeveless undershirt underneath. The tassels are worn on the outside, with two in the front and two in the back, or with all four together at the hips.
The tzitzit is worn during the day, and it is customary to wear it at night as well, so that one is not devoid of mitzvot when sleeping into the daytime. It is preferable to put on a new set in the morning and say a blessing over it.
The tzitzit is a powerful symbol and reminder of God and His commandments. It is a way to fulfil the Torah's commandment and to constantly keep God's law in mind throughout the day.
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The tzitzit is made up of eight strings and five knots, representing the 613 commandments
The tzitzit is a set of tassels or "fringes" worn by observant Jews on the corners of four-cornered garments. The Torah commands Jews to wear tzitzit, and the practice is derived from biblical commandments found in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy. The commandment to wear tzitzit is one of the 613 commandments in the Torah.
The tzitzit is made up of eight strings and five knots. The word "tzitzit" in gematria (a system of assigning numerical value to words or phrases) adds up to 600. If you add the eight strings and five knots to this number, you get 613—the number of commandments in the Torah. This is why wearing tzitzit is said to remind Jews to follow all of the Torah's commandments.
The Talmud describes how to tie the tzitzit:
> The four strands of the tzitzit are passed through holes near the four corners of the garment [...] Four tzitzyot are passed through each hole, and the two groups of four ends are double-knotted to each other at the edge of the garment near the hole. One of the tzitzit is made longer than the others; the long end of that one is wound around the other seven ends and double-knotted; this is done repeatedly so as to make a total of five double knots separated by four sections of winding, with a total length of at least four inches, leaving free-hanging ends that are twice that long.
Before tying the tzitzit, a Hebrew blessing is said: "L'Shem Mitzvat Tzitzit" ("for the sake of the commandment of tzitzit"). Some rabbis say that a full blessing should be recited instead: "Baruch atah Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam, asher kiddishanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu la'asot tzitzit" ("Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to make [the] tzitzit").
There are different customs for how to wear the tzitzit. It is usually worn underneath a shirt, but some people wear it over their shirt. The tassels can be left hanging out and visible, or they can be tucked in. Given the purpose of the tzitzit as a reminder of God's commandments, it is considered better to wear them "untucked" so that they can be seen often. However, if this would cause embarrassment or dissent when living among non-Jews, it is acceptable to tuck the strings in.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can wear a T-shirt with Tzitzit. The Tzitzit is a Jewish prayer shawl that is worn over the shoulders during prayer services, on Shabbat, and on other important occasions. It is typically worn by men and boys, but sometimes by females as well.
The Tzitzit should be worn on top of the T-shirt. The Tzitzit is draped over the shoulders, with the fringes hanging down in front and back.
Yes, you can tuck in your T-shirt if you are wearing Tzitzit. However, make sure that the Tzitzit is still visible, as it is meant to be a reminder of God's commandments.
It is important to remember that the Tzitzit is a religious garment and should be treated with respect. It should not be worn in a way that is disrespectful or undignified. Additionally, it is customary to hold the fringes of the Tzitzit while reciting blessings over them.