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Rambam /Arizal THICK Radzyn Blue Techelet Tzitzit Strings Jewish Judaica
$ 20.06
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
A pack of four blue Techelet Tzitzit strings. These Techelet strings are dyed according to the Radziner Rebbe's tradition and are produced by his Chasidim in Bnei Brak. For several generations, these Techelets have been adopted and worn by Breslover Chasidim as well.This is the difficult-to-find Techelet dyed according to Rambam/ Arizal's opinion, meaning half of the string is dyed blue.
- 4 Strings/ Pack
- Rambam/ Arizal Dying Method (Half of String is Blue)
-Hand-Spun Tzitzit
- 220cm length
-Think Stiring Thickness
Free shipping!
One string is added on each corner with accompanying white strings when tying Tzitzit. Wash in cold or lukewarm water, avoid scalding water when washing!
Techelet is a hot-button issue! The blue strings commanded by the Torah (Num. 15:37) to be worn on Tzitzit seemed to be lost to history. Their production method was forgotten and made impossible because of exile and foreign occupation in the Holy Land.
Yet, one brave scholar and leader, the Radzyner Rebbe, Rabbi Gershon Chanoch Henech Leiner (1839-1890) dedicated much time and effort to renew this Torah commandment. He was successful, and these Techelet are made by the succeeding generations of his Chasidim.
One main obstacle in procuring the correct dye for Techelet is a sea creature identified in the Talmud. In ancient times, there were two types of blue dye. One is made from this specific sea creature which produced fine quality dye that held its color, is deemed kosher. The other dye, Idigo, did not hold its color and was made in India by Idolators (who were incapable of dyeing the wool strings "for the sake of the Mitzvah" as is required), not kosher.
While in an aquarium in Italy, the Radzyner Rebbe noticed a creature he believed to match several characteristics of the one needed to make Techelet described in the Jewish sources. He experimented, consulted a chemist, and eventually arrived at a dying method that produced beautiful blue dye. His adaptation of Techelet into Tzitzit was extremely controversial, as it had not been done in one thousand years!
Most scholars of his generation rejected his innovation, but a small group were convinced by his evidence and adopted the practice themselves. One of them was the leader of the Breslov Chasdim, Rabbi Avraham bar Nachman of Metultshin. Since then, Breslov Chasdim traditionally wears Radzyn Techelet in their Tzitzit. Techelet also has significance in Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teachings, and he compares them with "Tachleit" the Hebrew word for purpose.
In the last several years, an alternative Techelet manufacturing process has been discovered using the Murex snail. Many have become convinced this snail is the true Techelet-producing creature, and it does fit some descriptions found in the Talmud. Some scholars, however, question the dyeing process' legitimacy. This new Techelet manufacturing process requires UV activation, and the strings leave the soaking solution a white color, before changing after exposure to the sun. Many question is this can be considered "dying" in the first place.
The debates are ongoing. Some get so confused they avoid Techelet altogether! For many however sources such as Rambam, who seem to imply any dye is fit for Techelet in Temple use, so long as the dye matches the quality of true Techelet, feel comfortable and confident both from the side of Jewish Law and tradition in using Radzyn Techelet to fulfill the Mitzvah of Techelet in Tzitzit.
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