There are two commandments in the Torah addressing the color of tzitzis. One mentions attaching white fringes to the corners of a four-cornered garment, while the other completely independent commandment mentions a thread of techelet to each corner.
While many talit-wearing Jews have little issue with the white string, the idea of the techelet string has caused a bit of controversy.
The chilazon, an aquatic or semi-aquatic organism, was responsible for providing the blood used to create the blue dye on the techelet thread. However, at some point in the history of the Jewish people, the identity of the chilazon was forgotten.
Since the information is no longer guaranteed, many rabbinical scholars wear only white tzitzit, because it would be unacceptable to wear blue thread if it’s not really techelet. However, many have attempted to discover the identity of the chilazon.
Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner (1839-1891), for example, believed the cuttlefish was the chilazon, and he therefore produced dye from that fish for his tzitzit.
Currently, however, the majority of Jewish communities fear the uncertainty of the chilazons identity, and therefore prefer to wear strictly white fringes. The assumption is that during the coming of the Messiah, Elijah will reveal the identity of the actual chilazon.
Until that point, tzitzis will continue to be seen with both white and blue dyed threads.
Ashkenazic Jews are descended from Northern and Eastern European Jews. Sephardic Jews come from the Iberian peninsula, and the Middle East. During the Jewish expulsion from Spain in the late 15th century, many Jews emigrated to Northern Africa. Sephardic means “Spain” in Hebrew, and Ashkenazi means “Germany.”
Sephardic Jews are subdivided into the European Jews and the Eastern Jews, who lived in Arab lands before the creation of Israel, where today, more than half of the Jews are Mizrachim, which means “Eastern.”
Yiddish was the language of Ashkenazi Jews, and was based on German and Hebrew. Ladino was based on Spanish and Hebrew and was the language of the Sephardic Jews.
Sephardic Jews usually follow the practices of Orthodox Judaism, and wear Kippot and tzitzis, while Ashkenazi Jews have smaller sects that differ according to their religious practices. Some Ashkenazi only wear kippot during Passover and in synagogue!
There are other groups of Jews that do not fit into the Ashkenazi/ Sephardic distinction. Ethiopian Jews, also called Falashas or Beta Israel, and Oriental Jews are just some of these. In the U.S. these groups are relatively small. Most American Jews are Ashkenazi, and came to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries, but the oldest Jewish congregations are Sephardic and arrived here during the late 1600’s.
The talit is commonly used in prayer, but the chupah talit is used for wedding ceremonies. The chupah talit is also referred to as a wedding canopy, and depending on certain practices, can be worn underneath a talit.
The chupah talit is usually held by four poles, one at each corner. Although the chupah talit should be held outside, some celebrate weddings indoors. The chupah talit should be an objet d’art, and as such is prized for its beauty and its symbolic meaning.
The canopy is open on all four sides, which means that the Jewish home is welcoming. It is supposed to represent the home of Abraham. There are no designs on the talit, which means that the Jewish home is supposed to be without embellishment. It is simple, and not defined by materiality.
The reason for the talit to be held under the sky is to commune with G-d. It signifies the sacred union of marriage, and its natural origins. The talit should remind the couple of their commitment to each other, and their commitment to G-d.
If you are looking for a chupah talit, visit Eichler’s today. They have all of your Judaica needs.
Wearing tzitzis is a commandment that is easy to fulfill, and helps one to remember to follow the other commandments. There are all kinds of tzitzis. Mesh tzitzis, cotton tzitzis, which are the most popular kind of tzitzis, and even childrens tzitzis!
Wearing a talit is another great mitzvah. These prayers shawls are split into Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Chabad. Many of our talis are smooth and lightweight, and hold steady on to your shoulders without slipping. Most are good for year round, but during summer, a wool talit can be heavy, which is why a lightweight talit is a great option.
With summer and the warmer months approaching, it’s good to have an extra talit or tzitzi, just in case one gets dirty, or sweaty, or you need lightweight mesh tzitzis that are more breathable and comfortable.
Choosing a talit or a tzitzi is simple with our wizard helper. Everything from size to color is covered for you, so you don’t have to worry about what is what. With all that extra time saved deciding on which tzitzi or talit is right for you, you can start looking for summer kippas and a fashionable new yarmulke!