?Speak to the Israelites and have them make tassels (tzitzit) on the corners of their garments for all generations. They shall include a thread of sky-blue wool in the corner tassels.? (Numbers 15:38)
How do we recognize the soul? We make speak about three levels:
1. The soul itself.
2. Character traits (compassion, generosity, quickness to anger, kindness, etc.).
3. Actions, conduct.
The innermost level, the soul itself, is hidden from the outside world. It is only observable through the lower two levels, through its attributes and actions. Thus, the character traits are like the 'clothing' of the soul. Through its distinctive characteristics, the soul is revealed and judged by the outside world.
The ultimate manifestation of our personality traits is in our day-to-day deportment. A certain trait will influence our viewpoints and opinions, but its strongest external expression occurs when it dictates our actions. If our character traits constitute a metaphoric garment, clothing the soul, then our deeds are the tassels that emanate from the 'corner of the garment'. Each attribute of the soul is revealed in a variety of actions, as different situations require specific responses. These actions are like the many tassels, extending naturally from the corners of the garment.
To summarize the parable:
The inner soul is represented by the body itself.
Personality traits are represented as the garment covering the body.
Actions are represented by the tassels extending from the garment.
We are accustomed to the tassels being white, but the actual legal requirement is that they be the same color as the garment. This common color indicates that actions derive their power and direction from the 'garment'; i.e., the character traits.
However, we add an additional thread, of sky-blue (techelet). This color reminds us of hidden, sublime matters: the sea, the sky, the sapphire stone, and the Holy Throne. Sky-blue is the background color of the universe. The techelet thread connects us to the very Source of life, from Whom all forces flow. Together with the other threads, which match the color of the garment and represent the diverse range of activity, the sky-blue thread complements and completes the function of the tassels.
The Sages taught that the mitzvah of wearing tzitzit corresponds to all of the other 612 mitzvot. ?When you see (the tassels), you will remember all of God's commandments.? (ibid. 15:39) Wearing this special garment and its tassels reflects the splendor of attributes and deeds by which the Torah envelops and clothes the Jewish soul.
[Based on Olat Riyah I, pp. 4-5]
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Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs a website (RavKook.n3.net) dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.
How do we recognize the soul? We make speak about three levels:
1. The soul itself.
2. Character traits (compassion, generosity, quickness to anger, kindness, etc.).
3. Actions, conduct.
The innermost level, the soul itself, is hidden from the outside world. It is only observable through the lower two levels, through its attributes and actions. Thus, the character traits are like the 'clothing' of the soul. Through its distinctive characteristics, the soul is revealed and judged by the outside world.
The ultimate manifestation of our personality traits is in our day-to-day deportment. A certain trait will influence our viewpoints and opinions, but its strongest external expression occurs when it dictates our actions. If our character traits constitute a metaphoric garment, clothing the soul, then our deeds are the tassels that emanate from the 'corner of the garment'. Each attribute of the soul is revealed in a variety of actions, as different situations require specific responses. These actions are like the many tassels, extending naturally from the corners of the garment.
To summarize the parable:
The inner soul is represented by the body itself.
Personality traits are represented as the garment covering the body.
Actions are represented by the tassels extending from the garment.
We are accustomed to the tassels being white, but the actual legal requirement is that they be the same color as the garment. This common color indicates that actions derive their power and direction from the 'garment'; i.e., the character traits.
However, we add an additional thread, of sky-blue (techelet). This color reminds us of hidden, sublime matters: the sea, the sky, the sapphire stone, and the Holy Throne. Sky-blue is the background color of the universe. The techelet thread connects us to the very Source of life, from Whom all forces flow. Together with the other threads, which match the color of the garment and represent the diverse range of activity, the sky-blue thread complements and completes the function of the tassels.
The Sages taught that the mitzvah of wearing tzitzit corresponds to all of the other 612 mitzvot. ?When you see (the tassels), you will remember all of God's commandments.? (ibid. 15:39) Wearing this special garment and its tassels reflects the splendor of attributes and deeds by which the Torah envelops and clothes the Jewish soul.
[Based on Olat Riyah I, pp. 4-5]
--------------------------------------------------------
Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs a website (RavKook.n3.net) dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.