Halacha Tzitziyot (passed 1999)

Corroboration: Direct Command ordained by YHVH as a way to cause people to remember His commands:

"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 YHVH, 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 commands and will be consecrated to your God. ‘I am YHVH your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am YHVH your God.’"

Requirements & Prohibitions

There must be four tzitzit.

Numbers 15:38 "Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments..."

They must be worn always when dressed. They need not be worn in "specialized" clothing, such as swimming suits, exercise clothing, etc.

They must be worn out so that they can be seen.

Numbers 15:39 "And you shall have the tassel that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments..."

The tzitzit may be attached to the four-corners of either an outer or inner garment. The garment on which the tzitzit are attached must truly be a garment - i.e., made of cloth and covering a reasonable percent of the body.

They must be worn at all times when a person is "dressed." We reject the idea that they need not be worn at night, since when one is not in complete darkness there is enough light to see one's tzitzit. They do not need to be worn to bed.

Each strand ptil - must be made of natural fibers (cotton or wool) and be twisted (ghedeel).

Each of the four tassels must have at least one chord of blue (Techelet). No other colors are to be added to the white and blue strands.

The Tzitziyot should be moderate in size. Yahshua spoke against the Pharisaical practices of the outward appearance of men, certainly looking good with their oversized tefillin and Tzitziyot, thus drawing attention to one’s outward spirituality... which in reality exposed his inward darkness and hypocrisy (Mattityahu 23:5). For men, the size is standardized according to what is worn in Israel today, and commonly sold in the market place. The white strands are usually about 8" to 12", and the blue strands are usually about 3 - 4" longer than the white.

How are they to be tied? The TeNaKh does not specify. The sages say that there should be at least 2 knots. The Beit Din suggests either the Ashkenazi or the Sephardim method. Another popular method is YHVH – Echad. Directions are available for winding.

Women and Tzitziyot

We recognize and understand that women are likewise to observe the commandments, and are to be reminded of them. However, the Torah has prescribed methods to accomplish particular goals, in many instances men are to observe in one way, and women another. Each sex has its unique gifts and contributions to properly form the Jewish community. The Beit Din recognizes the differences. The mitzvot regarding the Tzitziyot is written to men.

As the Beit Din of Nazarene Judaism, we determine that:

Women are not obligated to wear Tzitziyot

* Numbers 15:38-41

Deuteronomy 22:12 "You shall make tassels on the Four Corners of the clothing with which you cover yourself."

Deuteronomy 22:12 "of the clothing with which you cover yourself." "Make tassels on the Four Corners of the cloak you wear." The word "corners" in its original form is "kanph" The meaning is: wing (74), skirt (14), borders (2), corners (2), ends (2), feathered (2), sort (2), winged (2). We interpret this meaning to be on the outside of your garment, in four distinct and separate positions.

Deuteronomy 22:12 "You shall make yourself tassels (ghedeel-twisted strands) on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself."

Numbers 15:38 "... and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners."

Women may wear them if they desire to do so, however care must be taken that she doesn’t wear them "as the garment of a man."

If worn by a woman, the Tzitzit must be worn in a manner that is not similar to the garment or manner in which a man wears them. It is suggested that she wear them on a scarf, sash, head covering, etc. If she desires to wear a talit gadol (prayer shawl), she should do it in her private devotions, etc. The size of the tzitzit for women can vary in order to complement her garment.