~The Fringes of Rememberance~
Tsiytsiyt is the Hebrew word for "tassel" (fringe). I've heard it is pronounced "zeet-zeet" or "zit-zit". They are fringes/tassels that are worn on your clothes. I am in the process of learning, so I am in no way an expert in the area--but what they speak to me about is YHWH's heart for His people... the continual Love and Mercy of our GOD. He instructed Moses to have the Israelites make and wear these immediately after the man broke the Sabbath and was stoned (Num. 15:32-41). It shows me that YHWH has no pleasure in the perishing of His people [even though it was Him, out of His righteousness, justice, and wisdom, that told Moses to have the man stoned] and that HE- once again -makes a way to HELP us. It's His mercy reaching out to help us REMEMBER His ways. What a loving heart!
As for making them, we know that there is to be "a" (singular, but not necessarily limited to "only" one) ribbon of blue to be woven in. We also know they are to be worn on the borders and/or on the four corners of our garments. That's pretty much all I know about making and wearing them... not real specific- so I feel there is a lot of liberty in making them and wearing them. What I DO see emphasized is the REASON for making and wearing them... THAT is where I feel like our main focus and attention should be.
The reason for wearing tsiytsiyt is "that we may look upon it, and REMEMBER ALL the commandments of YHWH, and DO them; and that we seek NOT after our OWN heart and our OWN eyes after which we use to go whoring:
That we may REMEMBER and DO all HIS commandments and be holy (SET APART) unto our Elohiym".
[*Notice: the tsiytsiyt are for US, not "others"... as in every aspect of our lives- it may lead to a conversation that could bring an opportunity to share with someone... but that is not their purpose. They are not "a cool 'witnessing tool' "... they are for US. We are the ones "in need".
**Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12 is where we find instruction for "tsiytsiyt"...
As for making them, we know that there is to be "a" (singular, but not necessarily limited to "only" one) ribbon of blue to be woven in. We also know they are to be worn on the borders and/or on the four corners of our garments. That's pretty much all I know about making and wearing them... not real specific- so I feel there is a lot of liberty in making them and wearing them. What I DO see emphasized is the REASON for making and wearing them... THAT is where I feel like our main focus and attention should be.
The reason for wearing tsiytsiyt is "that we may look upon it, and REMEMBER ALL the commandments of YHWH, and DO them; and that we seek NOT after our OWN heart and our OWN eyes after which we use to go whoring:
That we may REMEMBER and DO all HIS commandments and be holy (SET APART) unto our Elohiym".
[*Notice: the tsiytsiyt are for US, not "others"... as in every aspect of our lives- it may lead to a conversation that could bring an opportunity to share with someone... but that is not their purpose. They are not "a cool 'witnessing tool' "... they are for US. We are the ones "in need".
**Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12 is where we find instruction for "tsiytsiyt"...
"And YHWH spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of YHWH, and do them; and ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye used to go a whoring:
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
I am YHWH your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am YHWH your God." Numbers 15: 37-41
"Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself." Deuteronomy 22:12
I have heard of there being a question of "if the tsiytsiyt are for women, too-- or only men?" I don't really know "why" there would be a question... according to the Scripture above, Moses was told to tell the "children of Israel"-- which (in *my* perception) INCLUDES women, and even the children. When certain instructions weren't intended for the entire congregation, they were SPECIFIED-- only for certain tribes, or only for the priests, or only for men, or only for women, or only for a certain age, etc. I do not see any specifications for the tsiytsiyt, but they were instructed for the "children of Israel"-- the entire congregation. That's *my* perception.
I have also heard of there being a question of "if the tsiytsiyt even matters anymore"... once again, according to the Scripture above, it is instructed to be "throughout their generations"... (in *my* perception) that means ALWAYS.
I have also heard of there being a question of "if the tsiytsiyt even matters anymore"... once again, according to the Scripture above, it is instructed to be "throughout their generations"... (in *my* perception) that means ALWAYS.
Tassels~
teaching by Jeff A. Benner
Below is an excerpt from Jeff A. Benner's "Living Words" book, taken from his website. He offers several words as pdf files on his website. If you are interested in his complete "teaching" on this word, you can go to his website, the Ancient Hebrew Research Center ( http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/ )-- click on the red "The Living Words" tab across the top of the page, then scroll down to the pdf file for the word "tassels". Click on the word-- you *can* read it without printing it if you want. For more information on the Hebrew language, or his books, you can go to the Ancient Hebrew Research Center website: http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/
*The bold underlined letters in the brackets below are suppose to be HEBREW letters (words), they did not print that way on my computer... you can go to the Ancient Hebrew Research Center's website to read it with the Hebrew words.
~~ Tassels ~~
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Hebrew language is its clear connection between a word and its illustrative meaning. The Hebrew word [ tuyu ] tsiytsiyt [H:6734] is a good example of this relationship.
38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them
that they make them fringes (tsiytsiyt) in the borders
of their garments throughout their generations, and that
they put upon the fringe (tsiytsiyt) of the borders a ribband
of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe (tsiytsiyt),
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: 40
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy
unto your God. Numbers 15:38-40 (KJV)
From the above passage we learn the [ tuyu ] tsiytsiyt [H:6734], translated as “fringe,” are worn on the four corners of the
garments. The standard dress of the Hebrews was a rectangular piece of cloth with a hole in the center for the head and was worn similar to a modern poncho. A sash was then tied around the waist to secure the garment. The fringes were then tied to each corner, border in the KJV translation, of this garment as reminders of God’s commands for his people.
The word tsiytsiyt is derived from the noun [ Uyu ] tsiyts [H:6731] and the verb [ Uwu ] tsuts [H:6692], both of which can be found in the following passage.
And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness;
and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds,
and bloomed (tsuts) blossoms (tsiyts), and yielded almonds. Numbers 17:8 (KJV)
When I first began studying the word tsiytsiyt, I pondered the connection between tsiytsiyt, meaning fringe, and tsiyts, meaning blossom, and wondered if the fringe originally looked like a blossom. I then reminded myself I was concentrating on the physical appearance of these objects, a Greek way of thinking, and had forgotten the Hebrews were concerned with function. When I realized the function of a blossom was to produce fruit on a tree, I was amazed to discover this was the exact same function of the tsiytsiyt, to produce fruit within the man.
But his delight is in the teachings of Yahweh and in his teachings he meditates
day and night, and he will be like a tree planted by streams of water which gives
his fruit in its season. Psalm 1:2,3
The function of the fringe, according to Numbers 15:38-40, is to remember the commandments, the teachings of God, which according to Psalm 1:2,3, is like producing fruit.
*The bold underlined letters in the brackets below are suppose to be HEBREW letters (words), they did not print that way on my computer... you can go to the Ancient Hebrew Research Center's website to read it with the Hebrew words.
~~ Tassels ~~
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Hebrew language is its clear connection between a word and its illustrative meaning. The Hebrew word [ tuyu ] tsiytsiyt [H:6734] is a good example of this relationship.
38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them
that they make them fringes (tsiytsiyt) in the borders
of their garments throughout their generations, and that
they put upon the fringe (tsiytsiyt) of the borders a ribband
of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe (tsiytsiyt),
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: 40
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy
unto your God. Numbers 15:38-40 (KJV)
From the above passage we learn the [ tuyu ] tsiytsiyt [H:6734], translated as “fringe,” are worn on the four corners of the
garments. The standard dress of the Hebrews was a rectangular piece of cloth with a hole in the center for the head and was worn similar to a modern poncho. A sash was then tied around the waist to secure the garment. The fringes were then tied to each corner, border in the KJV translation, of this garment as reminders of God’s commands for his people.
The word tsiytsiyt is derived from the noun [ Uyu ] tsiyts [H:6731] and the verb [ Uwu ] tsuts [H:6692], both of which can be found in the following passage.
And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness;
and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds,
and bloomed (tsuts) blossoms (tsiyts), and yielded almonds. Numbers 17:8 (KJV)
When I first began studying the word tsiytsiyt, I pondered the connection between tsiytsiyt, meaning fringe, and tsiyts, meaning blossom, and wondered if the fringe originally looked like a blossom. I then reminded myself I was concentrating on the physical appearance of these objects, a Greek way of thinking, and had forgotten the Hebrews were concerned with function. When I realized the function of a blossom was to produce fruit on a tree, I was amazed to discover this was the exact same function of the tsiytsiyt, to produce fruit within the man.
But his delight is in the teachings of Yahweh and in his teachings he meditates
day and night, and he will be like a tree planted by streams of water which gives
his fruit in its season. Psalm 1:2,3
The function of the fringe, according to Numbers 15:38-40, is to remember the commandments, the teachings of God, which according to Psalm 1:2,3, is like producing fruit.