Main Text
One should not use fewer than seven chulyos, corresponding to the seven heavens. This is because techeiles resembles the sea, and the sea resembles the sky. Since we do not have techeiles today, we do not insist on this requirement. And regarding the statement that one should tie a knot on each segment (chulia)—this is meant to make the techeiles distinct. The practice of tying five knots is explained in Rashi’s commentary on tzitzis, which is considered equivalent to all the commandments. This is because the gematria (numerical value) of tzitzis is 600, and with eight threads and five knots, the total is 613, the number of mitzvot in the Torah.
However, every occurrence of the word tzitzis in the Torah lacks a yud. There is a verse, “And it shall be for you as tzitzis,” and there are three times tzitzis is written in the parsha. According to some, this completes the count, and so Rabbeinu Tam’s practice was to make five knots: two close to the garment and three close to the p’til (fringe), in order to ascend in holiness and not descend, as it says that one should finish with white. Each knot has two ties to ensure it is strong.
However, we do not find explicit support in the Talmud for exactly five knots. It could be that the statement about needing to tie on each “chulia and chulia” refers to one white and one techeiles chulya (each), which makes two (between each set of 5 knots). Now, if one does not use fewer than seven (chulyos), he makes five knots close to the Tallis. The first (double) knot is followed by two chulyos: one of techeiles and one of white. Another knot is made (and then two more chulyos) etc. up until completing six chulyos, thereby creating four knots. Then a seventh chulya in white is made, finishing with white, and one final knot is tied, making a total of five knots.
And, there are others who interpret this as not using fewer than seven windings between each knot.
Here’s an expansion of the abbreviations (Roshei Teivos) used here:
- ת״ר – Taf Reish – This is a gematria for 600, which is the numerical value of the word tzitzis.
- ח׳ – Chet – This represents 8, referring to the eight strings of the tzitzis.
- תרי״ג – Taryag – This gematria stands for 613, symbolizing the 613 mitzvot.
- יו״ד – Yud – The letter “Yud,” which has a gematria of 10, refers here to instances where the word tzitzis in the Torah is missing the letter Yud.
- וג׳ – V’Gimmel – “And three,” referring to the three times tzitzis is written in the Torah.
- למ״ד – Lamed Mem Dalet – Stands for L’man Da’amar, meaning “according to the one who says” or “according to some opinions.”
- בהש״ס – B’haShas – “In the Talmud” or Bavli HaShas, meaning the Babylonian Talmud.
- אח׳ – Aleph Chet – “Echad,” which means one.
