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Numbers 15:39 - Tzitzit: Divine reminders against temptation

Numbers 15:39 - במדבר 15:39

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְצִיצִת וּרְאִיתֶם אֹתוֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֺת יְהוָה וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם וְלֹא־תָתֻרוּ אַחֲרֵי לְבַבְכֶם וְאַחֲרֵי עֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּם זֹנִים אַחֲרֵיהֶם׃

English Translation

and it shall be to you as a fringe, that you may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that you seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you go astray:

Transliteration

Vehaya lakhem letzitzit ureitem oto uzkhartem et-kol-mitzvot Adonai va'asitem otam velo-taturu acharei levavkhem ve'acharei eineikhem asher-atem zonim achareihem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֣ה לָכֶם֮ לְצִיצִת֒ וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תָת֜וּרוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
וְהָיָ֣ה לָכֶם֮ לְצִיצִת֒ וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תָת֜וּרוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Purpose of Tzitzit

The verse (Bamidbar 15:39) establishes the mitzvah of tzitzit as a visual reminder of all the commandments of Hashem. Rashi explains that the numerical value of the word ציצת (tzitzit) is 600, and when combined with the 8 strings and 5 knots in each corner, it totals 613—corresponding to the 613 mitzvot. This serves as a constant reminder to fulfill the Torah's commandments.

Guarding Against Straying

The verse warns against following "your heart and your eyes", which the Talmud (Berachot 12b) identifies as the sources of temptation leading to sin. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 4:1) emphasizes that the tzitzit serve as a safeguard against improper thoughts, redirecting one's focus to divine service.

The Danger of Following Desires

The phrase "after which you go astray" (זֹנִים אַחֲרֵיהֶם) is interpreted by the Sifrei as referring to idolatry, which often begins with uncontrolled desires. The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 15) teaches that the techelet (blue thread) in tzitzit resembles the sea, which reflects the sky, which in turn reminds us of the Divine Throne—creating a chain of contemplation leading back to Hashem.

Practical Halachic Implications

  • The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 24:1) rules that one should look at the tzitzit during recitation of the Shema to fulfill this verse's commandment.
  • The Mishna Berurah (24:5) notes that the mitzvah applies specifically during daylight hours when the tzitzit are visible, emphasizing the visual aspect of the commandment.
  • Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that the physical strings serve to connect the material world with spiritual obligations, preventing the separation between thought and action.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 43b
The verse is discussed in the context of the mitzvah of tzitzit (fringes), emphasizing the importance of remembering and fulfilling all the commandments of God.
📖 Berakhot 12b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the recitation of the Shema and the significance of the commandments, particularly the commandment of tzitzit.
📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the importance of following God's commandments and not being led astray by one's own desires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the tzitzit (fringes) mentioned in Numbers 15:39?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Menachot 43b), the tzitzit serve as a physical reminder of all the mitzvot (commandments) of Hashem. By looking at the fringes, we are meant to remember our spiritual obligations and avoid following our desires blindly.
Q: Why does the verse warn against following 'your heart and your eyes'?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 2:3) explains that the heart and eyes are 'spies for the body'—they lead a person to sin by tempting them with improper desires. The tzitzit act as a safeguard, reminding us to stay focused on Torah values rather than physical temptations.
Q: How does the mitzvah of tzitzit apply today?
A: Today, Jewish men wear a tallit (prayer shawl) with tzitzit during morning prayers, and some also wear a smaller tallit katan (tzitzit garment) throughout the day. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 24:1) rules that this mitzvah remains binding as a constant reminder of our commitment to Torah.
Q: What is the deeper meaning behind 'remembering the commandments' through tzitzit?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 17:6) teaches that the numerical value of the word 'tzitzit' (600) plus the 8 strings and 5 knots equals 613, representing all 613 mitzvot. This symbolizes that observing one mitzvah (like tzitzit) can lead to fulfilling all commandments.
Q: Why is the color techelet (blue) sometimes used in tzitzit?
A: The Talmud (Menachot 43b) states that the techelet dye resembles the sea, which reflects the sky, which in turn reminds us of Hashem's presence (the Divine Throne). While the exact source of techelet was lost for centuries, some communities today use it based on modern research (Rambam, Hilchot Tzitzit 2:1-2).