Tzitzis and the Tourism Industry
When we take a tour of life, we must know what to look for and how to look for things. Aside from the obvious and literal understanding of not looking at things that G-d forbids us to gaze at, because it can lead us to temptation, the idea of knowing how “to tour” implies the need to see things in their right light.
Tying a String to Remember
When was the last time you tied a knot around your finger to serve as a reminder?
It is interesting to note that the tradition of tying knots to serve as reminders is Biblical in origin.
At the end of this week’s parsha, the Torah requires of us to wear Tzitzis, or the fringes that we are to attach to the four corners of our garments. These fringes, the Torah states, is to remind us of all of G-d’s commandments and we will not be led astray by our hearts and eyes.
In what way are the Tzitzis reminders of all the commandments?
Our sages tell us that the word Tzitzis itself is numerically equivalent to 600. There are eight strands and five knots in each of the four corners. When we combine these figures, 600+8+5, we arrive at the number 613, the precise number of Biblical commandments.
The fact that the connection of Tzitzis to the 613 commandments is arrived at by combining three components of Tzitzis — its numerical value, the number of strands and the number of knots — implies that there are three key characteristics of Tzitzis.
The number 600 in Hebrew is spelled by the two letters Tav reish, or tour. The root of this word is the same as the word used in the verse that describes the effect Tzitzis have on us: “V’lo Sasuru..-and you shall not look after your hearts and eyes.” The Tzitzis — which is etymologically related to the word tzotz that means to gaze — represent the need for the Jew to know how to use his or her eyes.
Remarkably, the same root is used in the very beginning of this week’s parsha with respect to the spies who were told to “scout the land” - V’yasuru. It is very likely that the English word “tour” derives very directly from the same Hebrew word that means to see, survey, or scout. The spies had trouble knowing how to look at the land. Instead of seeing the good in every aspect of the Promised Land, they saw things in a negative light.
Touring the World through the Prism of Tzitzis
Thus, the message of Tzitzis, that numerically adds up to the word “tour,” suggests the need to see things from the correct vantage point. When we take a tour of life, we must know what to look for and how to look for things. Aside from the obvious and literal understanding of not looking at things that G-d forbids us to gaze at, because it can lead us to temptation, the idea of knowing how “to tour” implies the need to see things in their right light.
By way of analogy: A tourist visits the Western Wall and is unaware of its spiritual significance as the remnant of the wall the surrounded the holiest structure on earth, the Bais Hamikdash! This individual can hardly be described as a tourist Every time we wear the Tzitzis, look at them, or even learn about them, it beckons us to learn how to become a good tourist of life.
Detachment
But there are two other components to the idea of Tzitzis. There are 8 strands on each of the four corners. We have had several opportunities in the past to explain the significance of the number eight as a symbol of aloofness and detachment from the ordinary, natural and commonplace that is associated with the number seven.
When “touring” the world around us, looking for opportunities to find meaning in life, a certain measure of detachment from the world is in order. When touring life’s experiences, our task is to illuminate and sublimate them, not to have the experience dominate us.
Creating Connections
The third component of the Tzitzis is its five knots. Knots are the bonds we create to make and strengthen connections.
As we tour life, we must realize that the ultimate goal is to create connections. These include: Connections between us and the world, connections between the world and G-d and connections between one person and another. But, these connections must be associated with the number five, representing the five books of the Torah and the five levels of the soul.
Whatever connections that the Torah does not sanction is not a legitimate connection and will not lead to the goal of 613, representing the totality of Judaism.
Moreover, our connections must be an expression of all the five levels of our soul, I.e., action, emotion, understanding, will and pleasure.
Messianic Age: Perfect Tour
In the present day and age, we cannot observe all of the 613 commandments. This means that our “tour” of life is incomplete, our ability to relate to life’s experiences is compromised, and our capacity to connect is limited. Nevertheless, by committing ourselves to the practice of the law and spirit of Tzitzis, we will soon usher in the age of Moshiach, that will make our tour of life complete.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Shlach by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
