fringes

The talit is a common garment that has been worn by Jewish people for 1,000’s of years. Some call it a prayer shawl, however its origins are not connected to prayer, rather a command that God gave to his people in the book of Numbers.

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.

The question then became, “On what garments should we place the fringes?” As a result of this question the talit was created. Talit simply means “little tent” -- some believe this name was given as a reflection of the tabernacle, “the big tent.” The rabbis teach that when Balaam looked down and saw the Camp of Israel in Numbers 24 and said, “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!” He was speaking about the talits that were worn by the people.

The talit became a regular garment for the Jewish people, and was worn at all times by the observant. The most interesting thing that I learned about all of this was from the Jewish Book of Why. When a person died, they were buried wrapped in their talit. However, before they were buried one of the fringes was cut off, the corner of the garment was cut off. The reason behind this, is that as a dead person one was no longer bound to keep the commandments.

I read this, and immediately thought of David and Saul. In 1 Samuel 24 David cuts off a corner of Saul’s garment. Then David is conscious stricken. I have always wondered why … could it be that David was telling Saul, “You are a dead man! You are incapable of obeying the commandments!” David was letting Saul know, “I could have killed you, but I did not, but you are going down that road anyway.” This is a chilling thought in many ways.

It made me think about the way I have always thought of David. I always saw him as this victimized kid, who was never got pissed-off at Saul … rather when he got mad he smiled, held it in, prayed and never told his men how at that moment, maybe he even hated Saul. This gives me a picture of David when he was running for his life that I have never had. Moreover, it makes me realize that he was human … a person. Even with these feelings that would creep up from time to time God never withdrew his anointing from David.

This story gives me hope. Knowing what rolls around in my brain sometimes ... it is comforting to know that although like David, I must be conscious stricken that God continues to have his hand on me.