The Techelis: More Than Just One Heavenly Reminder

Techelis, the blue dye extracted from the Chalazon is a Torah requirement for the Mitzvah of Tzitzis. As the Torah states, “Make fringes (tzitzis) in the corners of their garments…and put upon the fringes of each corner a thread of techelis”.

The Sages of the Talmud explain the requirement for the blue dye. It is to remind the individual when he gazes upon it of Hashem. The Gemara Chulin explains the connection, the Techlis color is similar to the sea, and the sea is similar to the sky, and the sky is similar to the sapphire stone under Hashem’s throne, which is similar to the throne itself. Essentially, upon gazing at the Techelis color on the Tzitzis one will make these connections in his mind and become focused on the Master of the Universe. Although the series of connections are not as simple and obvious as it could be with fewer steps, for a student of the Torah it is most understandable and within reach.

However, HaRav Moshe Feinstein of Blessed Memory raises the question of why the need for so many steps.  He queries, wouldn’t it be more practical and simpler if the color of the dye was the same as the color of Hashem’s throne itself? It would eliminate a number of seemingly needless steps.

HaRav Feinstein conjectures that the multi-step process was established as an eternal obligation because of the overriding imperative to require hard work and toil (Ameilus) in developing and maintaining a relationship with Hashem.  It is meant to remind us that hard work and toil will ensure a stronger connection less likely to be diminished over time. HaRav Feinstein makes the point that when the Torah says, “gaze at it (tzitzis)” it should be a reminder of both powerful messages.

I remind my readers of the message in a previous post,  “Ameilus (to toil) an Educational Priority”. I wrote, “Given the importance of this principle in our service to Hashem, it begs the question, how are we preparing our children for this life outlook?” The root cause that makes this challenge formidable is the imbalanced focus on achievement over effort. Although parents and teachers say otherwise, the real mark of success is the grades. Too often, the second question parents ask their children after inquiring about their own child’s grade is “how did the rest of the class do”? A case in point, just the other day a parent joyfully spoke of his son’s accomplishment in a particular challenging task. It was quite an accomplishment and it showed tremendous growth on the child’s part. However, the parent added unnecessarily, my son was the only one in the class to accomplish this.

This time of year, the message of effort and toil as the priority takes an even greater hit. At graduation ceremonies in Torah schools everywhere, the real prize is valedictorian-the highest grade point average and other awards that showcase academic achievement. Down the line, toward the end of the list of awardees, comes the recognition for effort and most improved.  It should be duly noted that this standard is not the priority established in Shomayim.