Vayomer

The third section of the Shema is Parshat Tzitzit, which originates in Bamidbar 5:37. It begins “Vayomer Hashem el
Moshe Laymor Daber el Bnei Yisrael Veamarta Alayhem Veasu Lahem Tzitzit” – “And G-d spoke To Moshe saying that
Bnei Yisrael shall make for themselves Tzitzit on the corner of their garments….” It concludes “Ani Hashem Elokaychem
Asher Hotzeiti Etchem Mayeretz Mitzrayim” – “I am the Lord, your G-d that took you out of Egypt”. The Torah
commands us to remember our Exodus from Egypt every day (Deuteronomy 16:3). In this paragraph of Shema we
fulfill that commandment by having in mind the Mitzvah and reciting the Vayomer. In this Tefillah Tip I would like to
explain the Mitzvah of Tzitzit and its connection to our Exodus from Egypt.
Rav S. R. Hirsch zt”l demonstrates from the first verse in Parshat Tzitzit the intense devotion the Jewish people showed
when fulfilling the mitzvah of Tzitzit. He explains the verse the following way: “Daber el Bnei Yisrael Veamarta
Alayhem – Veasu Lahem Tzitzit” – “Speak to the children of Israel and tell them about the Mitzvah and they will make
for themselves Tzitzit.” Rav Hirsch explains that the Torah did not instruct Jews to make Tzitzit; it just informed them
of the Mitzvah. Because of their love, devotion, and dedication to G-d and his Torah, “Veasu Lahem” – The People of
Israel went ahead and fulfilled the Mitzvah with alacrity. Wearing Tzitzit is a unique Mitzvah because in the Shulchan
Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), OC 24:1, it states that unless one is already wearing a four cornered garment, he is not
obligated in the Mitzvah of Tzitzit at all. Yet, in 24:6 it states that one who is careful to fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzitzit
properly will experience spiritual delight, and great will be the punishment of one that avoids the Mitzvah. We are
thereby encouraged to create the situation (wear a four cornered garment) in order to fulfill the Mitzvah.
Tzitzit symbolize and represent so many fascinating and important lessons. In Gematria (numerical equivalent), Tzitzit
equals 600. When we add the 8 strings and 5 knots on each pair of Tzitzith it equals 613 – the number of Mitzvot in the
Torah that we are required to fulfill. Rav Schwab zt”l, in his book On Prayer, writes that although the Tzitzit are filled
with knots, two thirds of each set of strings are left free flowing. This implies that although there are a significant
number of laws and restrictions in Jewish life, in the end these laws and restrictions unleash an unmatched freedom to
live and enjoy life. Additionally, the word Tzitz in Hebrew not only means fringe, but a sprouting flower as well.
Wearing Tzitzit that extend off of our clothing manifests the unique opportunity for every Jew to grow and develop
towards their potential through Mitzvot like a beautiful flower that opens and shares all of its beauty.
The passage concludes, “Ani Hashem Elokaychem Asher Hotzeiti Etchem Mayeretz Mitzrayim Lihiyot Lachem Laylokim”
– “I am the Lord, your G-d that took you out of Egypt so that I will be your Master”. The commentaries explain why the
Parsha of Tzitzit concludes with the memory of the Exodus.
1. Since Tzitzit represent all 613 Mitzvot, the message is that G-d took us out of Egypt specifically so that we can fulfill
all the Mitzvot.
2. The Ohr Hachaim writes that a four cornered garment with Tzitzit is a type of four cornered uniform that indicates
that G-d rules all four directions of the earth: North, South, East and West. Therefore as a reminder that we were
slaves to Pharaoh, and now we are servants of Hashem we don Tzitzit.
Take Home Tip: Jewish Law requires that one does not wear his Tzitzit fringes outward at a cemetery in order not to
degrade the dead that are unable to fulfill the Mitzvah in their current state. After seeing the layers of meaning and
wisdom contained in Tzitzit, we can better understand this law.