300,000 IDF reservists were called after the October 7th Hamas attack and many went into battle wearing tztitzis for the first time under their uniforms. With record antisemitism in the U.S. many Americans felt the same inspiration, with new tzitzis and tefillin selfies flooding social media. The soaring demand has actually led to a worldwide shortage of both, leading hundreds of volunteers globally to tie tefillin for themselves and others.
Recently at Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Passaic Torah Institute, members of the Young Professionals Program connected hands-on with the deeply mystical mitzvah of tzitzis by tying pairs for themselves and for others. Rabbi Meir Miesels, Rebbe at Yeshiva Katana of Passaic Boys Division, and Rabbi Baruch Bodenheim, Associate Rosh Yeshiva of PTI, explained the symbolism of the strings, knots, and windings.
The gematria of tzitzis is 600, corresponding to the 600 general commandments. The 5 knots represent the 5 senses and 5 books of the Torah. The knots combined with the 8 strings represent the 13 specific commandments, adding up to 613 total mitzvos of the Torah. There is a set of 7 windings under the first knot, 8 windings under the second, and 11 windings under the third knot, totalling 26 windings, the gematria of Hashem’s name Yud-kay-vav-kay. The remaining 13 windings under the fourth knot is the gematria for the Hebrew number Echad. The windings total “Hashem is One.”
Every “stripe” of talis katan and “stripe” of individual were present. Wool, cotton, thin tzitzis, thick tzitzis, broad black stripes, and plain white. The young men spanned the gamut–from advanced scholars seeking greater meaning in their lifelong practice, to those wearing tzitzis for the first time. All found it an exciting and inspirational event with a tangible “take away” that several found transformational.
“PTI is a place everyone can feel comfortable and grow,” says Ben Rand who coordinates the program.
The Young Professionals Program meets every Sunday morning for learning with a hot breakfast, Monday night one-on-one and group learning with free hot dinner, and every Thursday night with dinner, guest speakers, and a musical kumsitz.
[Press Release]
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Learn more about all of PTI’s programs for men and women of all ages 7 days and evenings a week, featuring 5 levels of learning, from the complete novice with no background to the advanced kollel yungerman. Visit https://pti.shulcloud.com or contact Ben at 201-280-8145 or [email protected]. PTI is at 441 Passaic Avenue in Passaic NJ.
As Sales of Tzitzis Soar, Pro-Hamas Protesters Call Upon American Universities and the US Government To Divest From The Tzitzis Market
Upon learning that tzitzis sales among the Jewish population has soared in recent months, and that many IDF soldiers are heading into battle wearing the fringed, four corner garments, pro-Hamas, student protesters are demanding that American universities and the US government fully divest from the tzitzis market.
“The US government and universities all across the country must stop supporting the sale of these Jewish, fringed garments, or we will continue to hold the universities hostage, and wreak havoc upon the college campuses, and intimidate the students of Judaic faith,” said Mahmoud Al Intifada, a pro-Hamas immigrant, who heads the prestigious left-wing organization, ‘Students For a Jew-Free & Tzitzis-Free Palestine’. “Bolstering the sales of these non-Islamic garments is a smack in the face to all bomb-toting activists and knife-wielding intimidators.”
However, US President, Joe Biden, refused to say whether he supports a boycott of tzitzis sales, or whether he will order the US Treasury to end all investments in the US tzitzis trade.
“The pro-Hamas protesters definitely have a valid point,” Mr. Biden told reporters during a White House press briefing on Monday. “Tzitzis garments are clearly creating ill feelings among the student protesters, especially when they learn that many IDF soldiers are wearing these garments.”
“I might direct the US Treasury and Commerce Dept. to divest from the tzitzis market,” he said, “but I don’t want make any sudden decisions about this crucial matter until I discuss it with the Mullahs of Iran.”