Daf Yomi, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a requirement to arrange the tzitzis as follows:
“One is required to separate the ritual fringes like a gentile’s lock of hair, part of which is braided and the rest of which is allowed to hang loose.”
It is interesting, but possibly insignificant, that Abaye uses an example of a gentile hairstyle to describe how to arrange tzitzis.
Yet this type of comparison is also used for another halacha of tzitzis. There is a ruling from the Gaonim that in order to recite a blessing on the talis, it must be worn like a “Yishmaelite wrap” (Beis Yosef, Tur O.C. 8:2). Is it a coincidence that gentile metaphors are used in regard to tzitzis?
Our forefather Yaakov was described as a “wandering Aramean” (see Devarim 26:5—pashut peshat; see Ibn Ezra and Rashbam). The Jewish experience is to wander and spread out into the world, like our forefathers. But the Jew maintains his identity and morals in the outside world by wearing tzitzis. The Gemara (43b) states: “Anyone who has tefilin on his head, tefilin on his arm, ritual fringes on his garment, and a mezuza on his doorway is strengthened from all sides so that he will not sin.”
This is why aspects of tzitzis are measured in gentile terms—to remind us that they accompany us as part of our life in the secular world.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com