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- What is Tekhelet/תכלת?
- Tekhelet/תכלת is one of the colors mentioned in the Torah/תורה, traditionally associated with a shade of blue. It is mentioned frequently alongside gold, silver and silk as a precious commodity. There is a Biblical commandment to tie a thread of Tekhelet/תכלת around the Tzitzit/ציצית of cornered garments. In addition, Tekhelet/תכלת is required in the garments of the Kohen Gadol/כהן גדול, as well as for the coverings of the holy vessels.
- What does Tekhelet/תכלת come from?
- The Gemara/גמרה describes Tekhelet/תכלת as coming from a sea-creature called a Chilazon/חלזון. In a homiletic passage, the Chilazon/חלזון is characterized as "similar to the sea, being similar to [but not] a fish, and coming up from the sea once in seventy years [rarely]." Chilazon/חלזון in modern Hebrew means "snail". Rabbinic, historical, archaeological and chemical evidence point to Murex trunculus snails as the source of Tekhelet.
Murex
Murex trunculus snails live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. - How is Tekhelet produced?
- Murex snails possess a gland which contains the source of Tekhelet/תכלת. Dibromoindigo, which originates from glandular secretions of a fresh snail, bonds chemically to wool when put into solution in a reduced state (vat dyeing). In the presence of sunlight, the dibromoindigo debrominates to indigo, leaving color-fast blue wool.
- Why should I wear Tekhelet/תכלת?
- Wearing Tekhelet on tzitzit is a mitzvah prescribed by the Torah. It is a commandment which is intended for all generations, independent of location and unrelated to the existence of the Temple. It is only during the last century that we have had the means and privilege of embarking upon the restoration of Tekhelet/תכלת, which has been denied to us for many centuries. Dare we let this opportunity pass us by?
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