What is

Mexican murex – what makes Kilayim Kilayim?

Mexican murex – what makes Kilayim Kilayim? 150 150 rhecht

A1: אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֘ תִּשְׁמֹ֒רוּ֒ בְּהֶמְתְּךָ֙ לֹֽא־תַרְבִּ֣יעַ כִּלְאַ֔יִם שָֽׂדְךָ֖ לֹֽא־תִזְרַ֣ע כִּלְאָ֑יִם וּבֶ֤גֶד כִּלְאַ֨יִם֙ שַֽׁעַטְנֵ֔ז לֹ֥א יַֽעֲלֶ֖ה עָלֶֽיךָ There are 3 types of Kilayim – Crossbreeding animal species, crossbreeding plant species, weaving wool and linen together. The question is “what is a species” according to the Torah. Since there are a number of places that the definition of species plays…

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If it’s not too much trouble, can you please tell me where in the Gemara or Rishonim that Argaman is also sourced from a Chilazon? Or is it my imagination that it’s mentioned somewhere and we basically need to derive that from the word Purpura?

If it’s not too much trouble, can you please tell me where in the Gemara or Rishonim that Argaman is also sourced from a Chilazon? Or is it my imagination that it’s mentioned somewhere and we basically need to derive that from the word Purpura? 150 150 rhecht

It is not mentioned in a single place in the Gemara or the Rishonim to my knowledge. It all comes from being based  ספרים חיצונים Such as וכדומה  יוסיפים But in my opinion, there is ample evidence to 2 things: 1. There is no Halacha that dictates as to what the source of Argaman should…

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How do I know this Tekhelet is really it?

How do I know this Tekhelet is really it? 150 150 rhecht

Archaeological discovery of mounds of Murex snails at coastal dyeing sites, as well as literary evidence from the ancient world of dyeing and chemical analysis of the Murex dye, are all strong evidence in support of this conclusion. More importantly, the growing number of Rabbinic personalities and halachic communities wearing Tekhelet today, lends further credence…

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Why should I wear Tekhelet?

Why should I wear Tekhelet? 150 150 rhecht

Wearing Tekhelet on tzitzit is a mitzvah prescribed by the Torah. It is a commandment which is intended for all generations, independent of location and unrelated to the existence of the Temple. It is only during the last century that we have had the means and privilege of embarking upon the restoration of Tekhelet, which…

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How should I tie Tekhelet on my tzitzit?

How should I tie Tekhelet on my tzitzit? 150 150 rhecht

There are different opinions regarding how Tekhelet should be tied. Bear in mind that the technique chosen does not qualify/disqualify the mitzvah, except for certain minimal requirements. Today, Tekhelet is being tied following the opinions of various legal authorities including the Vilna Gaon, the Rambam, the Sefer HaChinuch, and Chabad.

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Who does the dyeing?

Who does the dyeing? 150 150 rhecht

The dye extraction process is performed by workers under P’til Tekhelet’s supervision. The actual dyeing of wool with the Tekhelet is undertaken by P’til Tekhelet, (in Jerusalem and its environs) under the direction of its founder Rav Eliyahu Tavger, and in consultation with various Poskim. The wool is dyed expressly with the intent of the…

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Where do the snails live?

Where do the snails live? 150 150 rhecht

Murex trunculus snails live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient Israel, the tribe of Zebulun, located on the North-East coast, was attributed with having the chilazon. Archaeological digs have since uncovered mounds of broken Murex shells and remains of the dyeing industry on the North-Eastern coast of Israel. Today, since Murex trunculus snails are a…

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How is Tekhelet produced?

How is Tekhelet produced? 150 150 rhecht

Murex snails possess a gland which contains the source of Tekhelet. Dibromoindigo, which originates from glandular secretions of a fresh snail, bonds chemically to wool when put into solution in a reduced state (vat dyeing). In the presence of sunlight, the dibromoindigo debrominates to indigo, leaving color-fast blue wool.

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What does Tekhelet come from?

What does Tekhelet come from? 150 150 rhecht

The Talmud describes Tekhelet as coming from a sea-creature called a chilazon. In a homiletic passage, the chilazon is characterized as “similar to the sea, being similar to [but not] a fish, and coming up from the sea once in seventy years [rarely].” Chilazon in modern Hebrew means “snail”. Rabbinic, historical, archaeological and chemical evidence…

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What is Tekhelet?

What is Tekhelet? 150 150 rhecht

Tekhelet is one of the colors mentioned in the Torah, traditionally associated with a shade of blue. It is mentioned frequently alongside gold, silver and silk as a precious commodity. There is a Biblical commandment to tie a thread of Tekhelet around the tzitzit (fringes) of cornered garments. In addition, Tekhelet is required in the…

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