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    THE MERITS AND POWER OF TZITZIS

    Today there are many

    people who do not

    wear tzitzis, or in fact

    do wear them but do

    not know the merits

    and power of the

    c o m m a n d m e n t .

    Through Project

    Tzitzis, over 9,500

    people have had the

    t r e m e n d o u s

    opportunity to wear

    tzitzis. The movement

    has helped people keep

    this mitzvah in over twenty-two countries, with

    one goal in mind. These pages you are about to

    read will provide you with the merits and

    power of this awesome mitzvah, and it is the

    hope that you will have a better understanding

    of what they represent when you wear your

    tzitzis.

    The Source

    The Torah tells us: “Speak to the children of

    Israel and tell them to make tzitzis (fringes) on

    the corners of their garments throughout their

    generations.” The pasuk tells us that when one

    looks at his tzitzis, it should remind him of all

    other mitzvos. Rashi points out the numerical

    value of “tzitzis”— is equal to six

    hundred. To which we add the eight strings and

    five knots on each of the four corners of the

    garment, bringing us to 613, which is an

    allusion to the 613 mitzvos of the Torah. The

    Chinuch says the point of the mitzvah of tzitzis

    is to always remember all the mitzvos of

    Hashem. There is nothing greater in the world

    to enable us to remember this then to have the

    seal of our Master with us, and this is tzitzis.

    Tosafos says that wearing tzitzis reminds us

    that we are slaves to Hashem. The Targum

    Yehonasan mentions that wearing tzitzis is

    compared to us being malachim of Hashem.

    Obligation or Good Idea

    According to the basic halachah, one is only

    required to place tzitzis on a garment that has

    four corners but is not required to buy a

    garment that has four corners and has tzitzis on

    it. Hashem praises those who wear tzitzis even

    when they are not obligated to do so. The Ohr

    Zeru’ah is of the opinion that bringing oneself

    to wear a garment which has four corners and

    putting tzitzis on it is rabbinic in nature. The

    Rambam mentions it is not proper for a

    “righteous” person to exempt himself from this

    mitzvah, and should always make sure to have

    a garment which is obligated in tzitzis. The

    Shulchan Aruch says it is a good idea for all

    people to do so. This is fascinating since we do

    not tell people to buy a home to put up

    mezuzos, or build a fence on the roof of one

    home which requires a fence. In addition, we

    don’t tell people to buy meat to fulfill the

    mitzvah of shechitah. Clearly tzitzis is

    different. Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l says that

    since it has become the practice that we wear a

    garment that has four corners and has tzitzis on

    it, one is obligated to wear such a garment with

    tzitzis.

    Reasons for the Mitzvah

    The Ohr Hachaim says that we have the

    mitzvah of tzitzis on a four-cornered garment

    and not one that has three or five corners. Since

    tzitzis are a sign of servitude, Hashem

    commanded us that the sign itself should

    proclaim our Master, as is common among the

    kings of the earth: each one has his unique

    insignia designated for his servants. So too,

    Hashem commanded us to only use a

    four-corneredgarment, alluding to the fact that

    our King is the Creator of the four corners of

    the earth and the Master over them. A

    three-cornered or five-cornered garment would

    miss the intent and therefore not require tzitzis.

    It is mentioned by the Nachal Kedumim that

    the reason for the mitzvah of tzitzis is that

    Hashem wanted us to wear a garment which

    encompasses all 613 mitzvos, and since tzitzis

    is equal to all mitzvos, we wear it on our

    bodies.

    Reward

    In the business world, one makes sure that his

    investments have the least money and energy

    involved for the best return. The mitzvah of

    tzitzis is the best reward we can get for the

    smallest investment. The cost of tzitzis is

    minimal compared to the price of tefillin or a

    lulav, but the reward is much greater for tzitzis.

    Even if one forgets that the tzitzis is on his

    body, he is rewarded each second. If one does

    not cash in on this mitzvah, it is foolish. You

    can gain millions of mitzvos. The yetzer hara

    (evil inclination) knows where to pick his

    fights, and the place that has so many benefits

    and rewards is where he chooses to fight. He

    tries to persuade us against wearing tzitzis

    since he understands what is at stake. (He tells

    us it is too hot, too uncomfortable, etc.) But this

    is not the place to be lenient, since one is

    wearing an undershirt anyway, so adding

    another garment is not a big deal. However, the

    yetzer hara still fights with us and tries to

    convince us against wearing it. We have to

    fight. Many of the rewards of wearing tzitzis

    will be discussed below. The Gemara in

    Menachos mentions that the mitzvah of

    wearing tzitzis is equal to all of the other

    commandments combined. An interesting

    question is why would Hashem make it that we

    are only obligated in this mitzvah when we

    have a garment of four corners? We would

    expect this to be a mitzvah one is always

    obligated in. The answer is that when a person

    goes beyond the letter of the law (in choosing

    to wear a four-cornered garment), Hashem will

    then lead that person to other mitzvos, and then

    one merits to fulfill all the mitzvos. The

    Gemara in Maseches Shabbos says one who is

    careful with the mitzvah of tzitzis will merit

    2,800 servants in the World to Come. Whoever

    is careful with this mitzvah merits to see the

    Shechinah. The Sifrei says one who fulfills the

    mitzvah of tzitzis is considered as if he did all

    the 613 mitzvos. This is an amazing thought:

    one puts on the tzitzis and is, in essence, doing

    613 mitzvos. The Rabbeinu B’Chai mentions

    that one who is careful with tzitzis merits

    Techiyas Hameisim (Resurrection of the

    Dead). The Midrash Tanchuma mentions

    wearing tzitzis merits one a wife and children.

    Through the mitzvah of tzitzis, one is protected

    from danger and from angles of destruction.

    The Ben Yehoyada mentions that in order for a

    garment to be obligated in tzitzis, it has to have

    four corners, and each corner has five knots

    and eight strings. Thirteen multiplied by each

    corner is fifty-two, which is equal to the word

    . Therefore, one who is careful with tzitzis

    merits a son. The mitzvah of tzitzis protects

    one from being mechalel Shabbos. Tzitzis

    protects one from speaking lashon hara.

    Mitzvah of Our Generation

    The Noam Elimelech mentions that even in his

    generation, the mitzvah that needed correction

    to make sure it was done properly was that of

    tzitzis.

    Focus on Looking at the Tzitzis

    We mentioned that one should look at his

    tzitzis, and then one will be reminded of all

    other mitzvos. This symbolism can be best

    understood with the following parable, told by

    the Dubno Maggid. A certain poor person, R’

    Yonah, was invited to a meal at a wealthy

    man’s house. When all the diners were finished

    with their portions, the rich man, who sat at the

    head of the table, tinkled the bell. Almost at

    once, waiters came in to remove the dishes and

    bring the next course. R’ Yonah was amazed.

    He had never seen anything like that before.

    After the second course was completed, the

    host again rang the bell, and again the waiters

    removed the plates and brought yet more food.

    R’ Yonah was immensely impressed. When the

    meal was finally over, he went to get such a

    bell for his home as well. He can home

    excitedly to his wife. “We’re going to have

    unlimited food and waiters. Wait until you see

    what I brought home!” He immediately placed

    the bell on the table and told his family and

    friends to take their regular seats. He then

    tinkled the bell with conviction. He waited for

    the waiter to walk in—but nothing happened!

    “I don’t understand it! When the rich man rang

    the bell, all the food was served!” The next day

    he returned the bell. “The bell you sold me is

    useless. I got no response when I rang it.” The

    obvious reason nothing happened, says the

    Dubno Maggid, is because there is neither a

    waiter nor food prepared in the next room. The

    bell summons that which is there to be

    summoned. Much preparation is necessary

    before the bell can accomplish anything. In

    some ways many of us are like this man,

    continues the Dubno Maggid. For example, the

    Torah says if we look at our tzitzis, we will be

    reminded to perform all of Hashem’s mitzvos.

    There are many people, though, who can look

    at a pair of tzitzis and not be reminded of

    anything. Only if one studies and understands

    how the tzitzis represent the 613 mitzvos, and

    studies what the 613 mitzvos are, can one

    appreciate what his viewing of the tzitzis

    should accomplish. Merely to look them

    without any preparation is like tinkling a bell

    without having arranged for anyone to respond.

    The Meam Loez asks: How can one remember

    all the mitzvos by looking at the tzitzis? There

    are many people who wear tzitzis all day and

    do not remember all the mitzvos by wearing

    tzitzis. If one wishes to remember to do a

    specific action during the day, he should tie a

    string to his finger, and when he looks at the

    string, he will be reminded of the item for

    which he put the string on his finger in the first

    place. If, however, one tied the string on the

    finger because his finger was in pain and then

    he forgot something, people might say, “How

    did you forget about the specific action for

    which you tied a string to your finger? You

    should have remembered!” However, he only

    tied it to his finger in the latter case because his

    finger was in pain—not to remind him about

    anything. If one wears his tzitzis in order to

    remind himself of the other mitzvos, then it

    will help, but if one wears a pair of tzitzis like

    he wears any other garment without any

    thought, then he will not have the goal the

    tzitzis should be portraying.

    Segulos

    If one wishes to make sure he is saved from a

    situation which is dishonorable, he should look

    at his front tzitzis. The same is true if one

    wishes to avoid getting angry. One who wishes

    to refrain from speaking lashon hara and other

    forbidden words should look at his tzitzis, and

    Hashem will save him. A sick person should

    look at his tzitzis as a segulah to get well.

    Tzitzis saves from an ayin hara. Tzitzis saves

    one from sin. Toothaches can be avoided by

    wearing tzitzis. The mitzvah of tzitzis adds

    kedushah to Klal Yisrael.

    Punishment

    The Gemara says when Hashem is angry, the

    ones who do not wear tzitzis are in danger.

    Why would we get punished if we are not

    obligated to wear tzitzis if we don’t have a

    four-cornered garment? However, the Gemara

    is referring to something else. There is a certain

    level of love if one does a mitzvah even if he is

    not obligated to do it. The Gemara is saying

    one will get punished because Hashem wants

    us to wear tzitzis even when we are not

    obligated. It’s as if Hashem is saying, “If you

    are not going out of your way to put on tzitzis,

    then it is lacking in our relationship, and I will

    not be able to protect you.” However, if we put

    on tzitzis, it shows we love Hashem, like a son

    shows love to his father. The Gemara in

    Pesachim lists not wearing tzitzis as being

    placed in cherem (excommunication) by

    Hashem. The Gemara in Maseches Shabbos

    says that for not fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzis,

    one’s children die.

    Looking at One’s Tzitzis

    The Beis Yosef mentions that looking at one’s

    tzitzis is a mitzvah d’Oraisa. This is also the

    opinion of others. The Shulchan Aruch

    mentions some look at their tzitzis when they

    say “u’re’isem” as well as place them over

    their eyes, and it is a nice custom. The Mishnah

    Berurah mentions that if one places his tzitzis

    over his eyes while saying “u’re’isem,” it is a

    segulah not to become blind. The Elyah

    Rabbah says that looking at one’s tzitzis leads

    one to yiras Shamayim. The Chasam Sofer

    says looking at one’s tzitzis is a segulah for

    remembering. Looking at one’s tzitzis at a time

    when one is having an impure thought can help

    prevent one from having these thoughts. It is

    especially a good idea to look at one’s tzitzis

    throughout the day. This works as well to avoid

    getting angry. There is a segula for a sick

    person to get better by looking at his tzitzis.

    Looking at one’s tzitzis removes ayin hara. The

    Kav Hayosher mentions that looking at one’s

    tzitzis is a great act.

    Kissing Tzitzis

    The Rema says that when one “sees” his tzitzis,

    he should kiss them. However, no mention is

    made by the Rema to kiss them when most

    people do, which is during Krias Shema in the

    morning. The Darchei Moshe does mention

    that some have the custom to kiss tzitzis when

    reciting “u’re’isem…” The Kaf Hachaim says

    that each time one recites the word “tzitzis,” he

    should kiss them. The Aruch Hashulchan

    mentions to kiss the tzitzis a few times when

    reciting the parshah of tzitzis, but does not

    mention when. However, in another place, the

    Aruch Hashulchan says to kiss them by

    “u’re’isem osa,” but he says that if one does

    not, it is not an issue. The Kitzur Shulchan

    Aruch mentions that one should kiss the tzitzis

    when reciting the

    word “tzitzis”

    during the recital of

    Krias Shema.

    When one says

    “u’re’isem,” he

    should look at the

    tzitzis and kiss

    them. One holds the

    tzitzis until

    “u’nechmadim”

    and then kisses

    them and puts them

    away. Some do not

    have the custom to kiss tzitzis during Krias

    Shema, but most people follow the custom

    mentioned in the Darchei Moshe to kiss them.

    The custom of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l was

    to only kiss his tzitzis by “Emes” and not

    during the rest of Krias Shema. On Tishah

    B’Av at Shacharis, many do not kiss the

    tzitzis, since no brachah is made on them.

    When putting on tzitzis, one should not kiss

    them between the brachah and the wrapping

    since it would be a hefsek.

    Tzitzis Protects—Some Stories

    Avoided an Intermarriage

    There was a Belzer Chassid whose son r”l was

    planning on marrying a non-Jew, and he went

    over to the Rebbe to ask him for advice. The

    Rebbe said to him, “Tell your son to come to

    me before the wedding.” The son said, “I will

    not listen to the Rebbe anyway, so I have

    nothing to lose.” He went to the Rebbe, who

    did not even try to persuade him from not

    marrying the non-Jew. The Rebbe said, “I have

    two conditions for you to go on with the

    wedding. One is to invite your father, and

    another is to wear tzitzis underneath your

    shirt.” The son agreed. After all, he grew up a

    Belzer Chassid, and at least the Rebbe was

    allowing him to go ahead with the wedding. In

    middle of the wedding, the music changed, and

    people started taking off their shirts. The

    chassan also started taking off his shirt, and

    people saw his tzitzis. They said, “We thought

    you had nothing to do with this religion, and

    here you are wearing this garment!” The bride

    also saw the tzitzis and said the marriage was

    over.

    Brought Back to Torah

    Harav Chaim Pinchus Sheinberg zt”l was

    fundraising in Florida, and a woman whose

    son was not on the correct Jewish path came to

    him. She thought it may be a segulah if her son

    wore a pair of Harav Sheinberg’s tzitzis;

    perhaps it would reignite the spark of

    Yiddishkeit within him. Harav Simchah

    Sheinberg, his son, said, “If you give one

    thousand dollars to the yeshivah, we will allow

    you to have one pair of tzitzis.” Harav Chaim

    Pinchus said, “I want to meet the son as well.”

    He told the son, “Your mother just gave a

    thousand dollars because she cares about you

    so much, and I don’t want your tzitzis to be

    sitting in a drawer. I want you to promise me

    that you will wear these tzitzis for one minute

    a day—that’s it.” The son could not say no. He

    ending up wearing it for more than a minute a

    day. By the time six months came around, he

    was learning in Ohr Somayach, and he kept

    learning many years in Eretz Yisrael. All from

    one minute of wearing tzitzis.

    Harav Sheinberg zt”l Wore Tzitzis for Klal

    Yisrael

    Harav Sheinberg zt”l was known to wear as

    many as 175 pairs of tzitzis at one time. This

    weighed as much as sixty-six pounds. Harav

    Sheinberg donned no specific number of

    garments but rather as many as he was able to.

    He believed that each tallis kattan represented

    another priceless mitzvah. Harav Sheinberg

    was once going through security in an airport

    before boarding a plane. The security guard,

    seeing the bulk under his garments, stopped

    him, thinking that he was smuggling

    something. When asked what he had under his

    coat, Harav Sheinberg responded that he was

    wearing religious articles. The security guard

    still did not understand, so he called over a

    Jewish guard to explain what the rabbi meant.

    The Jewish guard looked at Harav Sheinberg

    and said, “I don’t understand. When I was in

    Hebrew school, they told me that one pair of

    tzitzis is enough. Why do you wear so many?”

    Harav Sheinberg replied, “I am wearing a pair

    for you as well. But if you want to wear one

    yourself, I will be happy to remove it and give

    it to you.” Harav Sheinberg carried the burden

    of all Jews on his shoulders.

    Saved a Life

    There was a special Yid who became religious

    and, while driving a moped in Eretz Yisrael,

    wondered why he was wearing tzitzis. As he

    was thinking about this, his tzitzis, which were

    long, got caught in the tires, and his moped got

    locked. He fell over to the side of the road and

    got all scratched up. A few seconds later, the

    car behind him rammed into the car that was in

    front of him. He realized that if he would have

    been in the spot he was in moments before, he

    would have died. The tzitzis saved his life!

    The Gra and His Tzitzis

    When the Gra was about to die, he held his

    tzitzis in his hand and, while crying, said,

    “How hard is it for me to leave this world.

    From now on, I’ll be unable to perform the

    mitzvah of tzitzis. Through this simple

    mitzvah, one merits to see the face of the

    Shechinah. Where will I be able to find this in

    the world of souls? Even if I want to be able to

    fulfill this mitzvah in the next world, I will not

    be able to.” This is the Gra, who knew the

    entire Torah, both the simple and deep

    meanings of everything, and all he was

    concerned with at the time of his death was the

    great mitzvah of tzitzis. Truly amazing.