Tekhelet in Judaism

Short description: Blue colour symbolizing divinity in Judaism

A set of tzitzit with tekhelet thread. The Flag of Israel

Tekhelet in Judaism is the holiest color of Judaism. It is a blue or violet dye.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 In modern times
* 3 See also
* 4 References
* 5 Further reading
* 6 External links

## History

Like their non-Jewish neighbors, Jews of the Middle East painted their doorposts, and other parts of their homes with tekhelet (a blue-violet color) dyes; have ornamented their children with tekhelet ribbons and markings; and have used this color in protective amulets.[1] Tekhelet has been considered especially effective against the evil eye.[citation needed]

In the Torah, the Israelites were commanded to make tassels, tzitzit, on the corners of their garments, and to weave within these tassles with Tekhelet."[2] The oral law requires that this thread be made from a dye extracted from a sea creature known in rabbinic literature as the Ḥilazon.[3] Staring at this color aids in meditation, bringing us a glimpse of the "pavement of sapphire, like the very sky for purity," which is a likeness of the Throne of God.[4] Many items in the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary in the wilderness, such as the menorah, many of the vessels, and the Ark of the Covenant, were covered with blue-violet cloth when transported from place to place.[5]

It represents equilibrium, since its hue suggests a shade midway between white and black, day and evening.[6]

## In modern times

The Flag of Israel has two blue stripes and a blue Star of David against a white background. Because of its association with the State of Israel, blue became very popular in contemporary Jewish design.[7] Modern tallitot, especially those used by Religious Zionist Jews, often have blue stripes on a white background instead of black stripes common in Haredi communities.

## See also

* Green in Islam
* Jewish symbolism
* Political colour

## References

1. ↑ Frankel, Ellen; Teutsch, Betsy Platkin (1992) (in en). The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9780876685945. https://books.google.com/books?id=PASL_g8JDqsC&q=doorposts%2C%20heads%2C%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20their%20bodies&pg=PA22.
2. ↑ Numbers 15:38.
3. ↑ Mishneh Torah, Tzitzit 2:1; Commentary on Numbers 15:38.
4. ↑ Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:26; Hullin 89a.
5. ↑ Numbers 4:6-12. None of the leading poskim, such as Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky have given their approval to the claims of the Ptil Tekhelet organisation. Many famous Jewish sages such as the Chazon Ish have maintained that the real colour will be rediscovered at certain time in human history. See "The Twelfth Article of Faith" by Maimonides.
6. ↑ Mishnah Zeraim 1:2
7. ↑ "Zivei Eretz Yehudah" (1860), Ludwig August von Frankl.

## Further reading

* Zvi Ruder (1999): The National Colors of the People of Israel: Tradition, Religion, Philosophy, and Politics Intertwined ISBN 965-293-059-8

## External links

* The Ptil Tekhelet Organization dedicated to the manufacture and distribution of tekhelet fringes.

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