Using more than one thread of Techeiles violates "Bal Tosif." - Blue Fringes - Techeiles - Tekhelet - Techelet

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Debate Categories: Bal Tosif or Bal Tigra
Responses: 2
People Involved: Rabbi Eliyahu Tavger, Rabbi Yisroel Barkin, HaRav Chaim Yisroel Belsky ZT”L
Related Sources: 4

Categories: Bal Tosif or Bal Tigra

Some, including R’ Mordechai Willig, hold that there’s a concern of Bal Tosif if using more than one thread of Techeiles. Conversely, recent Poskim like R’ Yisroel Belsky ZT”L feel/felt that less than two strings of Techeiles doesn’t accomplish anything, so this is apparently a showstopper for wearing Techeiles.

Debate Responses

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Rabbi Eliyahu Tavger, Rabbi Yisroel Barkin • Source: Responses to R' Shlomo Miller's Letter Against Techeiles

Item 1

– Rambam’s concern applies only to the tying thread. Excess dye on untied portions does not count as “adding” (Rabbi Tavger).

– Poskim must determine correct halachic practice. Avoiding Techeiles entirely constitutes “Bal Tigra” (diminishing the mitzvah), which outweighs concerns of “Bal Tosif” (Rabbi Barkin, Additional Insights).

– the Yerushalmi, numerous Rishonim and Acharonim (Raavyah, Shiltei Gibborim, Chavos Yair, Yaavetz, etc); classical writings, and archeological findings identify the Murex as the Chilazon. (Additional Insights)

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Rafi Hecht

Item 2

Some Yemenite Jews add more Hadassim than the minimum of three, and some on Shabbos have the custom to do Lechem Mishne with 12 Pita loaves as a nod to the 12 tribes. Neither of those are considered Bal Tosif. Furthermore, Gedolim like R’ Asher Weiss has said that Bal Tosif applies to adding a new Mitzva on top of the 613, as opposed to doing too much to an existing one (when there’s a Rabbinic basis, as opposed to having too many sections on Tefillin which is bal tosif).