Without an understanding of the Hebrew language…and it is possible to glean some knowledge from reading and research…we would develop a mental picture of God that is unreal and even grotesque. 

However, to enhance God’s covenant relationship with Israel, He gave them instructions that would help them to understand, from the symbolism, how He and they would relate to each other…remembering that God always desired closeness and trust. 

So, God instructed His people to attach tassels to the corners of their outer garment.  This was, in ancient times, a poncho-like cloak which served as a covering by day and a blanket at night. 

“In biblical times, a tallit was not a separate prayer shawl like it is today, but rather an everyday four-cornered outer garment or cloak worn by Israelites…” (Google AI)

In modern times, the cloak has morphed into a “prayer shawl” with tassels on the corners that have the same meaning as the  tassels on the ancient cloaks. Since the Israelites understood their world and its conceptual realities mainly through their senses…and expressed in their language… God used pictures and symbols to form their understanding of who He was in His relationship to the world and to them. 

For example…He commanded them to tie His laws to their thoughts and actions, to teach them to their children, and to practice them in their homes. 

“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Israelites took this command literally by tying phylacteries (small, black, leather boxes containing specific laws written on strips of parchment) on their foreheads and wrists, and nailed to the doorposts of their houses. 

Since the Jews wore their cloaks (called a “tallit”) as a daily covering, the tassels on the corners were to be a constant reminder of the specifics of their faith. 

Let’s examine the meaning of the tassels…(tzitzit) which they were to fasten to the corners of their cloaks. 

Tassels were to be woven of white threads interwoven with blue threads…

“Tzitzit traditionally consist of white and specific blue-dyed threads, symbolizing purity, remembrance of God’s commandments, and the heavenly throne…” 

“Meaning of Tzitzit Colors

• White: Represents purity, sincerity, peace, and Divine benevolence (chesed). Most tzitzit strings are white to match the main prayer garment (tallit).
• Blue (Tekhelet): The Torah commands including a specific blue/violet thread in each tassel. This shade—traditionally linked to an ancient sea snail dye called the chilazon—resembles the sea, the clear sky, and God’s holy throne.
• Symbolic Purpose: Looking up at the blue thread is meant to draw the mind upward to spiritual duties, reminding the wearer of the commandments and helping to resist temptation.”

(Source: Google AI)

Each tzitzit had five knots, representing the five books of the  Torah…and four spaces between the knots, representing the four letters…YHJH…in God’s name. This pattern was to remind the wearers that they lived under the authority of God’s name and His Word. 

The corners of the tallit were called the “kanaph” which derived its meaning, in each case, from the context. The kanaph on the tallit, was translated as “corners” or, alternatively, ”wings”, for example…

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings…(“kanaph”…meaning “the extremity”of a wing or an army); His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings (again…, “kanaph”). And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Was this the promise the woman with the issue of blood believed when she touched the “hem” of Jesus’ garment? Luke used the Greek word translated “fringe” or “hem” which can also mean “tassell”, a more likely translation given the instruction from God. 

Now let’s examine the implication of the symbolism. 

Three words…tallit…kanaph…tzitzit  would have deep symbolic meaning for each wearer. The tassels (tzitzit) on the corners (kanaph) of the cloak (tallit) were a constant reminder that they were covered by the God of heaven whose name and word were the promise of His covenant. 

Now let’s look at some of the most beautiful words written in Scripture. 

Ruth was a non-Israelite, a Moabite who was the widow of an Israelite man. She chose to remain with Naomi, her mother-in-law…

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”

Ruth chose Yahweh, the God of Israel as her God in place of her Moabite pagan idols. She was commended by Boaz, Naomi’s relative, for her faithfulness to Naomi and to Naomi’s God. 

“May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By her choice, Ruth had come under the same covenant protection as every Israelite who wore the tallit with its tassels. 

Let us never again read “wings” as literal but rather as the deep meaning of the covering and protection of God’s name and Word the Israelites attached to their outer garment when they wrapped it around themselves each day. 

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