Shema (part 4)

The final paragraph

Numbers 15:37-41, “And LORD spoke to Moses saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel and say to them that they are to make themselves tzitzit [tassels] on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations. And they are to place upon the tzitzit of each corner a dark blue thread. And it shall constitute tzitzit for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of LORD and perform them; and not explore after your heart and after your eyes after which you stray. So that you may remember and perform all my commandments; and be holy to your God. I am LORD, your God, who has removed you from the land of Egypt to be a God to you, I am LORD your God.’”

This paragraph I understand as being literal, not figurative. This is because tzitzit are actual objects that you can attach to your garments. And they have the stated purpose that they are to be seen and they will remind you of the commandments. The passages that I interpreted as figurative did not describe an object to tie to your hand and head; the passages said that you are to tie the commands themselves to your hand and head. The commands are spoken words requiring actions, they are not objects, unless you claim that the written words are what he’s referring to, which would mean that you have to tie the entire bible (or the original stones or scrolls) to your hand and forehead. However, though the tzitzit are actual objects that you can see, they are also symbols.

The Hebrew word translated as corners is “kanaph.” In the rest of the Bible it is translated as wings. For instance Malachi 4:2 says, “the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.” Now look at Matt 9:20, 14:36. The woman with the issue of blood as well as many others may have been healed when they touched Jesus’ tzitzit.

The tassels represent the commands of God and are a reminder of the holiness of his people. The dark blue thread can be seen as a picture of Messiah. According to the only tradition we know of for making tzitzit, the blue thread is doubled over and wrapped around the other threads, so it looks like two blue threads. We can understand this as representing the two comings of the Messiah. The blue thread can also be seen as the two greatest commands, the first of which is contained in the first paragraph of the Shema, “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” and the second is similar, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Just as the blue thread wraps around all the other threads, these two commands, which are in essence one command, hold together all the other commandments.

I find it interesting that the tzitzit are made to be seen and their purpose is to prevent you from straying after your eyes. Also note that both the wearer and the others around see them. They surround the person who wears them.

The purpose of the tzitzit is twice stated as so that you will remember and perform LORD’s commandments. The first time this is followed with the idea of not straying and following your own desires, the second time it is followed with the idea of being holy to LORD. So being holy is paralleled with not following your own desires. Most of us know that following our eyes can often lead to sin, but we are often told to follow our hearts; but our hearts are deceptive and can lead us into sin. We must be holy (which means separate, unique, and distinct.) and follow God’s desires, his Word, his commands.