Did Jesus wear a prayer shawl (tallit)?

baraqemet · #1 20th February 2007, 03:50 PM

I received this in an e-mail:

Did Jesus wear a Jewish Prayer shawl (tallit) ??

Did Jesus wear a tallit? According to John Hagee, Benny Hinn, and many of the Hebrew roots/Messianic teachers, they have stated publicly that He did, without supplying any Biblical proof for their assertions. The modern day conception of the what is known today as a tallit or "prayer shawl," came about from a rabbinic interpretation of a passage from the book of Numbers, of a statute given to the children of Israel by God to put fringes on the borders of their garments and to “use blue thread.” The command was given to Israel so that they would remember the statutes in the future, after a man broke the Sabbath by doing work when he gathered sticks to build a fire, and was then stoned to death because of his transgression of the fourth commandment.

Numbers 15
37 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
38 Speak to the sons of Israel and you shall say to them that they shall make
Themselves fringes on the corners of their garments, for their generations. And
thread of blue with the fringe of each corner.
39 And it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look on it and remember all
the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that you do not go about
after your own heart and your own eyes after which you fornicate;
40 that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy to your
God.

Let’s review the details about the fringes, or tzit tzit. The fringes were to be attached to the corners of their garments. This was a garment already being worn, and was clothes that they were already in possession of. The passage does not state that it was to be a separate special piece of Holy clothing. Researching the Hebrew text and the meaning of kanaph (H3671) and tzittzit (H6734), one will find that the fringe or tassel is attached to the wing or edge of the garment. It has also been debated by some whether tzit tzit indicates the fringe around the edges of a garment, or a tassel at each corner.

The mention in the English Bibles of "blue" (techelet H8504) is more accurately defined as violet or purple. The people of the land of Canaan were historically known for wearing garments purple in color. This same "blue" was the color of the cloth that was used repeatedly to cover almost all Holy items found in the Tabernacle of God. Purple or scarlet was also recognized as the color of royalty, and with a purple robe they clothed Jesus before His crucifixion as the Roman guards mockingly hailed Him as “King of the Jews”.

Historically the violet color was made from a cerulean mussel (Heb. Chilazon). These produced a purple like dye used to make blue, scarlet, and various other shades of purple. This species of mussel eventually became scarce and increasingly difficult and expensive to obtain, so the Rabbis changed the Scriptural requirement given by God that the fringe, or tzit tzit, be dyed with the purple color. The Mishnah permitted the use of tzit tzit with all white threads.Today it is mostly the custom to have undyed fringes. Below is how the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon defines techelet.

H8504
תּכלת
tekêleth
BDB Definition:
1) violet, violet stuff
1a) violet thread
1b) violet stuff or fabric
2) (TWOT) blue (covering spectrum from brilliant red through deep purple)

The Jewish prayer shawl used today, came about by a rabbinical decision at some point in the latter Middle Ages. The construction of this garment was related to a misinterpretation of the Biblical command found in the book of Numbers, and even more likely from the man made teachings/traditions found in the Talmud (Mishnah 3rd Century). The color, and the two blue lines, representing a modern prayer shawl that is found on the flag of the state of Israel, and most modern four cornered tallits, is very likely the wrong color according to historical sources.

Today there many Messianics who are unknowingly following the rules established by Talmudic Judaism as they use the prayer shawls during services and to cover their heads while praying. They are not aware that the fringes are tied numerically by using gematria in order to form the knots.There are four threads which go through the corner and are doubled back. 4 x 2 = 8. There are five knots on each tassel. 8+5=13. When you add in the numerical equivalent of the word (tsitsit) which is 600. 600+13 = 613. The 613 is a rabbinic interpretation of the ten commandments. (603 interpretations +10 commandments = 613) A Jewish person cannot be buried with a tallit, unless the fringes are first cut off, which symbolizes that the deceased is no longer under the rabbinic interpretation of the Law. Conversely it stands to reason then, that by wearing one, it symbolizes that one is under the rabbinic interpretation of the law (613). Since the 613 is a late rabbinic interpretation, it would also stand to reason that the fringes that were originally commanded by God to be worn in Numbers, would be the ten commandments, and not the 613. If one studies what is written in the Torah, you will find the the tablets with the ten commandments inscribed on them were to be kept inside of the Ark of the Covenant, while the five books of Moses, or the Torah were commanded to be kept outside. Since the man was stoned for breaking the fourth of the ten commandments in the passage found in the book of Numbers, it would be logical that this is what they were to admonished by God to remember.

LittleLambofJesus · #2 20th February 2007, 04:02 PM

Did Jesus wear a Jewish Prayer shawl (tallit) ??

Did Jesus wear a tallit? According to John Hagee, Benny Hinn, and many of the Hebrew roots/Messianic teachers, they have stated publicly that He did, without supplying any Biblical proof for their assertions. The modern day conception of the what is known today as a tallit or "prayer shawl," came about from a rabbinic interpretation of a passage from the book of Numbers

Could He have worn a garment of "sackcloth" at times?
The "2 witnesses" in Revelation are shown wearing that is the reason I ask.

Psalm 69:10 When I wept [and chastened] my soul with fasting, That became my reproach. 11 I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them. 12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I [am] the song of the drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer [is] to You, O LORD, [in] the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

http://www.scripture4all.org/

Reve 11:3 and I shall be giving to the two Witnesses/m of me sackcloths, having been about cast, and they shall be prophesying a thousand, two hundred, sixty days;

LittleLambofJesus · #3 20th February 2007, 05:47 PM

Did Jesus wear a prayer shawl (tallit)?

Interesting thread. Any other views from others on this? Thanks.

letmercylead · #4 20th February 2007, 06:37 PM

A beloved friend and teacher of mine who has since gone to be with the Lord taught me that in Matt. 9:20 where it discusses the woman with the issue of blood that touches the hem of Jesus' garment, that the word for "hem" means "fringe or tassel" as in the tzitzit that were worn on the corners of the garments. He said the reason that the woman specifically touched the hem was because of the prophesied scripture concerning the Messiah in Malachi 4:6 where it says:
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings

He said that this was a sign that she may have recognized Jesus as Messiah and therefore why she thought that if she would just touch his garment (the "wing"--fringe/ tzitzit) that there would be healing for her.

Just thought I'd toss that out there for some food for thought.

God Bless!

baraqemet · #5 20th February 2007, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by letmercylead

A beloved friend and teacher of mine who has since gone to be with the Lord taught me that in Matt. 9:20 where it discusses the woman with the issue of blood that touches the hem of Jesus' garment, that the word for "hem" means "fringe or tassel" as in the tzitzit that were worn on the corners of the garments. He said the reason that the woman specifically touched the hem was because of the prophesied scripture concerning the Messiah in Malachi 4:6 where it says:
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings

He said that this was a sign that she may have recognized Jesus as Messiah and therefore why she thought that if she would just touch his garment (the "wing"--fringe/ tzitzit) that there would be healing for her.

Just thought I'd toss that out there for some food for thought.

God Bless!

Yes, you are correct. There is a second part to the OP that I posted that talks about some of the very things you brought up. I will try and post it later.

SeekingTheTruth0819 · #6 20th February 2007, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by baraqemet

I received this in an e-mail:

Did Jesus wear a Jewish Prayer shawl (tallit) ??

Did Jesus wear a tallit? According to John Hagee, Benny Hinn, and many of the Hebrew roots/Messianic teachers, they have stated publicly that He did, without supplying any Biblical proof for their assertions. .

Not everything is in the written in the Bible; indeed, John tells us that if everything were to be written down the whole earth would not be big enough to hold it all.

Jesus was a perfectly faithful Hebrew; the most perfect, in fact. As such He perfectly fulfilled all of the law and the commandments without exception.

baraqemet · #7 20th February 2007, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by SeekingTheTruth0819

Not everything is in the written in the Bible; indeed, John tells us that if everything were to be written down the whole earth would not be big enough to hold it all.

Jesus was a perfectly faithful Hebrew; the most perfect, in fact. As such He perfectly fulfilled all of the law and the commandments without exception.

No where in the scriptures is anyone commanded to don a tallit. As a matter of fact, the word tallit can not be found in the Hebrew Scriptures.

LittleLambofJesus · #8 20th February 2007, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by baraqemet

No where in the scriptures is anyone commanded to don a tallit. As a matter of fact, the word tallit can not be found in the Hebrew Scriptures.

So how did cardinals and popes come to wear them those types of garments?
Did Paul or the Apostles wear them [I myself think not] or the same garments as Jesus wore? Just curious.

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/things/tallit.htm

The tallit (also spelled talit; Yiddish tallis; plural talitot) is a prayer shawl worn by Jews during weekday morning services, on the Sabbath, and on holidays.
During Sabbath and holiday evening prayers, only the cantor (prayer leader) and Torah reader wear a tallit. The tallit is normally made of wool and has special twined and knotted fringes (tzitziot) attached to each of its four corners. The tallit is thus sometimes called the arba kanfot, "four corners."

SolomonVII · #9 20th February 2007, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by letmercylead

A beloved friend and teacher of mine who has since gone to be with the Lord taught me that in Matt. 9:20 where it discusses the woman with the issue of blood that touches the hem of Jesus' garment, that the word for "hem" means "fringe or tassel" as in the tzitzit that were worn on the corners of the garments. He said the reason that the woman specifically touched the hem was because of the prophesied scripture concerning the Messiah in Malachi 4:6 where it says:
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings

He said that this was a sign that she may have recognized Jesus as Messiah and therefore why she thought that if she would just touch his garment (the "wing"--fringe/ tzitzit) that there would be healing for her.

Just thought I'd toss that out there for some food for thought.

God Bless!

I think that this is quite a convincing passage that Jesus indeed did wear a prayer shawl.

baraqemet · #10 20th February 2007, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by solomon

I think that this is quite a convincing passage that Jesus indeed did wear a prayer shawl.

The directive in Numbers from God said that the fringes were to be a part of your garment. No where is it instructed that you don a special additional garment.