The commandment of tzitzit is for every Jew, and it teaches us that every Jew is part of a framework of identity and belonging, with a purpose and a role.
By RABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZTHE POWER of tzitzit: A haredi man gets dressed after immersing in a mikveh near a water spring in Bat Ayin(photo credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)
After completing the Book of Leviticus last week, we move on to the fourth of the five books of the Torah: the Book of Numbers.The Book of Genesis described ancient periods, from Creation up to the stories of the Jewish people’s forefathers; Exodus dealt with the exodus from Egypt, the Revelation at Mount Sinai and the building of the Tabernacle; Leviticus focused on Jewish laws pertaining to the priesthood, holiness and purity. And now we reach the Book of Numbers and ask: Where are we headed? What will be this book’s focus?When we examine the connection between Numbers and the books that precede it, we discover that actually it is a continuation not of Leviticus but of Exodus. The Book of Exodus ends with the description of the cloud that hangs over the Tabernacle and with the regulations regarding travel and camping for the Children of Israel during their desert journey. At this point, there is a split in the narrative: one path goes on to the Book of Leviticus and deals with the Tabernacle and related issues; the other continues on to Numbers which describes the journey in the desert and the internal and external hardships this entailed.However, there are several parallels between Leviticus and Numbers that teach us something about the content of both books. One deals with the holiness of the Tabernacle and the priesthood, while the other deals with the holiness of the camp, the nation and the family.Thus, for example, if, in the Book of Leviticus, we read about priests sacrificing offerings, in the Book of Numbers there is a focus on the sacrifices brought by the leaders of the tribes who dedicated the Tabernacle with their offerings. If, in Leviticus, we read about stealing as an offense against God demanding atonement, in Numbers we learn about stealing from a ger (stranger) as an offense against someone without rights. Leviticus provides an in-depth description of the holiness of priests and the restrictions incumbent upon them, while in Numbers we read the section on the sotah, which deals with the holiness of the Jewish family. We can also compare the high priest and his work, which is described in detail in Leviticus, with the monastic nazir (Nazirite) described in Numbers, who can come from any tribe and any part of the nation and is compared in many ways to the high priest.In Numbers, we take on a different outlook from the one we had in Leviticus. Until now, we read and learned about the Tabernacle and the priests – a restricted space and specific people whose spiritual level and role served as a beacon for the entire nation. But from here on we speak about the nation itself and aspire that the holiness will be expressed within the family, not just in the Sanctuary; in interpersonal relationships, not only in worship of God; in the army and not just in the synagogues. Judaism aspires not only to elevate a limited number of places and people and make them holy, but for those sacred places and people to spread that holiness to the entire nation.We find this idea expressed in the commandment of tzitzit (fringed garment) which also appears in Numbers. In all cultures, clothing is first and foremost a way to cover the body, protect it from the cold and the heat, and a mode of decoration. It also categorizes. So, for example, there is special clothing for soldiers, doctors, judges, etc. In the previous books we read about the special clothing worn by the priests during their work in the Temple, clothing that expressed their special status.But the commandment of tzitzit is for every Jew, and it teaches us that every Jew is part of a framework of identity and belonging, with a purpose and a role. A plain item of clothing becomes characteristic of Jews, carrying cultural and spiritual significance. This Jewish item of clothing does not belong to any specific level of society. It teaches us that the entire nation is holy, carries a spiritual message, has a unique culture that aspires to transcend and ascend, and strives to elevate all of humanity toward holiness and purity, toward a life of God worship and moral spirituality.The writer is the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites.
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