Otzar HaYirah – Vol. 4 | Tzitzis

1. Every person of Israel in the innermost depth of their soul yearns and burns greatly for Hashem Yisborach — because in their innermost being they constantly gaze toward the purpose [ tachlis ] which is the light of Ein Sof — the source of their root — and they wish to cleave and be included there. But since this state is in the aspect of ratzo v'shov [running and returning] — when it is in the aspect of returning [ shov ] the vessels of the mochin — which are in the aspect of garments — cannot receive the light of the radiance from there. And then mostly the light of the trace-impression [ reshimah ] of total nullification is forgotten. And through the mitzvah of tzitzis one rectifies the garments — which are the vessels of the mochin — so that they can receive the light of the radiance of the trace-impression from the nullification — from which comes the root of all Torah. And this is the aspect of: "and you shall see it" — said essentially about the tekheles [blue thread] of the tzitzis — for one must see and gaze greatly toward the purpose [ tachlis ] which is the aspect of tekheles . And this is: "and you shall not follow after your hearts and after your eyes" — closing one's eyes from the sight of this world entirely and directing one's vision and gaze only toward the tachlis alone. "That you may remember and fulfill all My commandments" [Bamidbar 15:39–40] — for through the mitzvah of tzitzis one merits to remember well the light of the aforementioned trace-impression — from which the totality of Torah and mitzvos is drawn. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Netilas Yadayim Shacharis, Halachah 4.

2. Tzitzis is a great protection from the husks and the Sitra Achara — because within them is bound the aforementioned holy light of the trace-impression. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Ois 14.

3. Tzitzis are in the aspect of the rectification of the bris — the general rectification — for through them one raises the mochin and draws the whiteness to rectify the flaws of all sins. And through this the garments are rectified and become in the aspect of white garments. And therefore there are in them thirty-nine windings corresponding to the dew of lights [ tal oiros ] which one merits through guarding the bris — and twelve finger-breadths of length corresponding to the twelve tribes into which one's soul is included through the general rectification. And through this one merits to speak words that are received and heard. And therefore the essential rectification of prayer — that it be received — is through wrapping in a tallis of tzitzis . Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Tzitzis, Halachah 1.

4. Tzitzis are in the aspect of the sealed utterance of Creation [ ha'ma'amar hastum shel Bereishis ] that includes all the utterances which are the totality of all Torah. And this is the aspect of: "that you may remember all the commandments of Hashem" said in the portion of tzitzis . And therefore they are on four corners — for through them one merits to seek His glory in every direction one turns — in the aspect of: "where is the place of His glory" — which is the aspect of the sealed utterance mentioned above. And therefore they are a protection from the husks and they rectify the thoughts of the heart — for this is the essential rectification of thoughts: that wherever one falls — even to the most distant places — even so one should not despair but seek and pursue His glory there — in the aspect of: "where is the place of His glory." And also through tzitzis one rectifies the aspect of nogah . Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Tzitzis, Halachah 2.

5. Tzitzis is the totality of the Torah — in the aspect of: "and you shall fulfill all My commandments" . For all 613 commandments are included in it, as our Rabbis said. And they are in the aspect of the King's garments — and the aspect of the Throne of Glory — the roots of the souls of Israel. And therefore the beginning of every person's service each day is the mitzvah of tzitzis — and similarly the beginning of a child's initiation into mitzvos is with tzitzis . For the purpose of Israel's service is to merit that they have dominion over the angels — and for this one must hold fast to the Throne of His glory — so that the angels not envy one's service and cause one to fall. And therefore one begins with tzitzis — for through this one holds fast to the Throne of His glory. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Tzitzis, Halachah 3, Ois 1.

6. Through the mitzvah of tzitzis the heart is rectified — namely the awe [ yirah ] within the heart is rectified. For through the threads of tzitzis the da'as and mochin are drawn — which illuminate on the three Shalosh Regalim [pilgrimage festivals] — through which one merits to rectify the three desires that destroy the awe within the heart: money, food, and sexual union. Also through tzitzis one is saved from idolatry, sexual licentiousness, and bloodshed — and one merits complete faith and the guarding of the bris and honouring people — and to fulfill our Rabbis' teaching: "do not despise any person." And through this one merits to the fullness of prayer — until the prayer is in the aspect of the word of Hashem — through which one merits healing from Heaven through any thing in the world — even through bread and water. And therefore tzitzis is a segulah [propitious means] for healing. Also through tzitzis one merits to judge the entire world with compassion and to the scale of merit. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid.

7. Tzitzis at their root are in the aspect of above place [ l'maalah min hamakom ] — and therefore even below, the tzitzis are in the aspect of the small containing the large — as explained in the inner teachings — through which one can ascend from the aspect of place to the aspect of above place. And therefore through tzitzis all the dispersed are gathered — even those very dispersed through their many sins — for they raise them to the aspect of the Place of the world [ mekomo shel olam ] where the root-place of every person — even the dispersed — resides. And there all is judged to the scale of merit and everything is sweetened and rectified. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Ois 9.

8. Woolen tzitzis hint at the great mercy and supremely great supernal will — the aspect of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy — for through tzitzis all is judged to the scale of merit with great mercy and all sins are forgiven. And therefore at the beginning of Yom Kipur one wraps immediately in tzitzis — and this is the aspect of the thirteen sections of the tzitzis corresponding to the thirteen attributes of mercy. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Ois 19, 20.

9. Place [ makom ] is in the aspect of matter [ chomer ] — the aspect of a knot. And from there are drawn all the knots of the Sitra Achara — for one who is not guarded from them is caught in their knots every day. For every place a person falls, G-d forbid — into some sin or stumbling — this is the aspect of a knot — the aspect of: "prisoners of poverty and iron" [ asirei oni u'varzel ]. And therefore all transgressions are called by the language of binding [ isur ] — for through this one is bound like birds caught in a snare. And through the knots and windings of the tzitzis — which are the aspect of the Place of the world — through this all the knots of the Sitra Achara are overturned, sweetened, and nullified. For whoever has been caught in any place — even at the lowest level — and has been bound there by many knots, such that it seems impossible to escape — even so, through the tzitzis which are the aspect of the Place of the world — which is the root of all the knots — all the windings and knots of the Sitra Achara are sweetened and nullified there through the windings and knots of the tzitzis . For a judgment is only sweetened at its root. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Ois 21.

10. The threads of tzitzis are in the aspect of the thread of lovingkindness [ chut shel Chessed ] — upon which the song of the future will be played on seventy-two strings [ nimin ] — the gematria of Chessed — through whose sound one can admonish Israel and add good fragrance to their souls. For tzitzis are in the aspect of admonition — admonishing a person to fulfill all the mitzvos and not to stray after their heart and after their eyes: "and you shall see it and remember" . And through the mitzvah of tzitzis one will merit the aforementioned song that will be played in the future. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Tzitzis, Halachah 5.

11. Through tzitzis one rectifies the garments and vestments — which are the aspect of the medameh [imaginative faculty] — for the medameh is the garment of the intellect. And through this one merits to truly clarify the power of the medameh within one's mind — in order to merit complete faith in His unity and oneness and in the creation of the world anew. For tzitzis is a segulah for faith — and therefore the portion of tzitzis was embedded in the Krias Shema . And therefore the entire Torah depends on tzitzis — for faith is the foundation of the entire Torah. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Ois 5.

12. Cross-reference entry — see "Begadim" [Garments], Ois 7.

13. Tzitzis are in the aspect of the gathering of the dispersed — for the holiness of tzitzis is drawn from the master of power who can pray a prayer in the aspect of strict judgment — through which all the dispersed gather, as explained in the inner teachings. And through this one fulfills the debts of all the covenants and mutual guarantees which Israel undertook for the fulfillment of the Torah — and all of this is alluded to in the threads of tzitzis and their twisting, etc. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Halachah 7.

14. Tzitzis are the rectification of the garments — and through this one draws upon oneself the rectification made through tzedakah — namely to subdue the forehead of the serpent, the root of the wisdom of nature — and one merits the revelation of the faith of the will: to know that everything is conducted only by His will without any compulsion of nature. And one merits strong desires and longings for His service — upon which the entire fulfillment of the Torah depends. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Birchas HaShachar, Halachah 5, Ois 43.

15. Through the mitzvah of tzitzis one merits to draw the light of faith from its root — from the aspect of Atika D'Atikin [the Ancient of Ancients] — from which the light of tzitzis is drawn. This is the aspect of the Holy One blessed be He wrapping Himself in a white tallis and arranging the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy drawn from Atika . And this is the aspect of wrapping in a tallis on Shabbos at Minchah when reciting: "and I — my prayer is to You, Hashem, at an auspicious time" — for the auspicious time is the aspect of ra'ava d'ra'avin [the will of all wills] — the thirteen measures of mercy drawn from Atika . And therefore through the mitzvah of tzitzis specifically — which are drawn from Atika — through them one merits to receive and fulfill the 613 counsels of the Torah [ taryag ittin d'Oraisa ]. As it is written of them: "that you may remember and fulfill all My commandments" — for through this one merits complete faith, since the tzitzis draw the light of faith from its root in Atika D'Atikin — and it descends level by level and world by world — all in the aspect of faith — to vivify the holy faith in every world. Until the faith descends below — to reveal His holy faith even within the dwelling-place of the husks — to fulfill: "His kingship prevails over all." And therefore tzitzis are a protection — for they nullify the power of the husks — by revealing to them the holy faith. And therefore there are four tzitzis corresponding to the four aspects of Atika in the four worlds — from which faith is drawn in each world. For the Atika between one world and the next is the aspect of faith — the aspect of malchus of the upper world — which in the world below it becomes the aspect of Atika — through which all the lights and spiritual intelligences of that lower world are drawn, down to the aspect of faith within that world. For faith is the beginning and end of all the worlds and all the spiritual intelligences — and all receive from the root of faith which is the aspect of Atika D'Atikin — and from there the tzitzis are drawn at their root. And therefore tzitzis vivify all the aspects of faith-sparks rooted in every person of Israel — until through this one has the power to receive the counsel of the Tzadikim — the aspect of the 613 counsels of the Torah — and to be saved from the counsel of the wicked. For all of this itself requires faith — to believe in the counsel of the Tzadikim and to reject the counsel of the wicked. But this one merits through the mitzvos — for through them one vivifies the root of the point of faith rooted within — and through receiving through this the counsel of the Tzadikim which is the aspect of the seed of truth — one afterward merits faith in ever greater fullness. Until through this the redemption will come. And therefore tzitzis come before tefilin — for tefilin are the aspect of the mochin which are the aspect of the totality of Torah and the 613 counsels. And therefore our Rabbis of blessed memory said: "the entire Torah is compared to tefilin ." But it is impossible to receive the totality of the counsels and mochin of tefilin except through tzitzis as above. Therefore one must first wrap in tzitzis . And therefore tzitzis are worn even on Shabbos unlike tefilin , as explained in the inner teachings. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Pesach, Halachah 7.

16. The matter of wrapping in tzitzis immediately upon waking in the morning. Cross-reference entry — see "Begadim" [Garments], Ois 8.

17. The matter of tzitzis : it is in the aspect of drawing the spirit of life from the upper spirit [ ruach d'le'eila ] — which is the aspect of potential [ koach ] — to the lower spirit [ ruach d'lisata ] — which is the aspect of actualization [ po'el ]. And this too is the aspect of the tekheles in the tzitzis , as explained in the inner teachings. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Hechsher Keilim, Halachah 4, Ois 51.

18. The matter of the rectification of garments through the mitzvah of tzitzis . Cross-reference entry — see "Begadim" [Garments], Ois 12; "Emunah" [Faith], Ois 87.

19. The matter of how the essential holiness of the sacred union [ zivug d'kedushah ] is through the mitzvah of tzitzis — which are in the aspect of the four heads [streams] drawn from the river that goes out from Eden — which is the aspect of Binah — the world to come — from which comes the essential greatness of faith. Cross-reference entry — see "Mikveh," Ois 23.

20. Tzitzis are in the aspect of the totality of the Torah novellae that the Tzadikim combine for the good for the rectification of the souls of Israel — for they are in the aspect of the scholarly robe [ chaluka d'rabbanan ]. And through this one merits to rectify and purify the garments from the hold of the dirty garments [ begadim tzoa'im ] — from which come all the obstacles to the service of Hashem — and the essential obstacle is the obstacle of the mind. Cross-reference entry — see inner teachings. Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Orla, Halachah 5, Ois 10.

21. Tzitzis are the rectification of the garments — so that the arrogance of the Sitra Achara should not hold onto them, from which comes the desire for sexual licentiousness. And the essential rectification is through the shields of the earth [ maginei aretz ] who shield us from this desire. And this is the aspect of tzitzis — which are in the aspect of the holy wings that shield and save us from the desire for licentiousness — the aspect of: "and under His wings you shall take refuge" [Tehilim 91:4] . For tzitzis protect against licentiousness as explained elsewhere. And therefore after donning tzitzis one places tefilin — which are the aspect of the holy seal formed and rectified through the aforementioned shields — the aspect of tzitzis that subdue the desire for licentiousness, and elevate the moisture and fat of the body to the mochin — the aspect of the holy seal of tefilin . Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Kil'ei Begadim, Halachah 2, Ois 1.

22. The essential supernal light — the light of Hashem Yisborach and the Tzadikim and the Torah — is drawn specifically through garments. This is the aspect of what we say before wrapping in tzitzis : "Hashem my G-d, You are very great — You are clothed in glory and majesty; You wrap in light as in a garment" [Tehilim 104:1–2] . For Hashem Yisborach is so immeasurably great that from His very greatness we could not receive or endure His great and awesome light at all — yet in His abundant mercy He contracted and clothed the light so that we could receive it. And this is: "wrapped in glory and majesty" — He clothed the glory and majesty of the supernal light so that we could receive it. And in His wondrous mercy He draws the light gradually and in measure according to the capacity of the garments and vessels — so that the light should not be greater than the power of the garments and vessels, which would cause shattering. And this is: "wrapping light as in a garment" — according to the capacity and strength of the garment and garb. And the mitzvah of tzitzis is the first mitzvah performed in the light of day — for tzitzis are the rectification of the garments so that they do not conceal the light, but on the contrary — through the garments specifically one receives the light gradually and in measure as is fitting. And also tzitzis are the aspect of the light of the Tzadik which is the essential light of the eyes. And therefore through tzitzis one merits to avert one's eyes from the physicality of this world and its vanities — from which come all the obstacles and screens that separate one from seeing the holy light of Hashem, the Tzadikim, and the Torah. And then when one averts one's eyes from the physicality of this world — one merits to see the aforementioned holy light. And then from all the obstacles and separating screens — they specifically become holy vessels and garments to receive within them the light gradually and in measure. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Kil'ei Begadim, Halachah 4, Ois 4, 5.

23. Tzitzis and tefilin are the totality of the entire Torah — which is the aspect of the totality of son and disciple. For tzitzis are the aspect of the da'as and the encompassing lights which the Tzadik illuminates in his disciples — the aspect of the attainment of: "the whole earth is full of His glory" — the aspect of: "and I saw Hashem" [Yeshayah 6:1] . And this is the aspect of tzitzis which are in the open — and everyone sees them. Whereas tefilin — their essential holiness is in the parchment scrolls hidden and sewn within the boxes — the aspect of the son's attainment — the aspect of: "where is the place of His glory" — the aspect of: "how great is Your goodness that You have hidden for those who fear You" [Tehilim 31:20] . For tefilin are the very supernal mochin — which are in the aspect of the supernal encompassing lights — which are in the aspect of silence. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Reishis HaGez, Halachah 3, Ois 17.

24. Tzitzis are in the aspect of the thread of lovingkindness [ chut shel Chessed ] that Hashem Yisborach draws over us every day — for these threads of Chessed — the aspect of tzitzis — are braided and spun from the holy hairs [ se'aros ]: from Hashem Yisborach inclining always toward merit and finding good points in every person of Israel — the aspect of holy hairs — for every person pulls themselves at every moment by at least a hairsbreadth from evil toward good — and this too is very precious before Hashem. These hairs gather together and are braided and spun — and from them are made the holy threads of tzitzis that illuminate upon Israel every day. For it is known in the sacred intentions [ kavanos ] that the aspects of tzitzis are drawn from the supernal strings and hairs — from the aspect of the hairs of Atika etc. — from which the light of the holy tzitzis emerges. For Atika is the aspect of supremely awesome supernal Chessed — the aspect of "abundant in lovingkindness" — for there all is good and Chessed — and there is the root of all Thirteen Attributes of Mercy — the Taryag Tikkunei Dikna — where all sins are forgiven and converted to merits. And all the holy lights drawn from there — all in the aspect of strings and hairs — for from the very essence of the Chessed and wonderful goodness there — Hashem Yisborach regards only the good in Israel — and even within the most sinful of Israel regards only the holy hairs — the hairsbreadth by which every person at some moment pulls themselves from their physicality toward Hashem. And through these hairs great and awesome lights radiate — called the aspect of the strings and hairs of Atika . And through these supernal hairs all judgments are sweetened, all sins forgiven, and all Chasadim and goodness drawn upon Israel — all through the aspect of the supernal hairs drawn through the good hairs Hashem finds in every person of Israel — even the most degraded. And from them emerges the light of tzitzis . Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Halachah 4, Ois 2.

25. Tzitzis are the rectification of the garments — which are the aspect of honor. For Rabi Yochanan called his garments "that which honors me" — and they are the aspect of: "who is honored — one who honors others" — the aspect of: "do not despise any person." Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Ipusik'i, Halachah 5, Ois 26.

26. When a person dons a tallis and tefilin — through this one draws upon oneself the holiness of the parchment and ink of the Torah scroll. And afterward when one prays and recites Krias Shema — one engraves and inscribes the letters of the Torah in ink upon the parchment. And then specifically the holiness is completed and perfected — which is the aspect of the writing of the Torah scroll which includes everything. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Erev, Halachah 4, Ois 7.

27. At the light of morning comes the essential ascent of faith from its falling — in the aspect of: "they are new every morning — great is Your faithfulness" [Eichah 3:23] . And through the ascent of faith, converts come into being. And this is the aspect of tzitzis which one wears then — for they are the rectification of the garments which are the aspect of malchus and faith — and there lies the essential hold of the converts: as it is written: "ten men from all the nations will grasp the corner of the garment of a Jewish man" [Zechariah 8:23] — specifically the corner [ kanaf ] — the aspect of the wing of the mitzvah [ kanfei mitzvah ] of tzitzis — for there they hold to convert and come under the wings of the Shechinah . But converts can cause damage to Israel through the arrogance they introduce — through which the desire for licentiousness intensifies. And all of this is rectified through tzitzis — for through this the arrogance of the Sitra Achara is subdued and the arrogance is elevated to its root toward Hashem: "Hashem reigns — He has clothed Himself in pride" [Tehilim 93:1] . And through tzitzis one also nullifies the flaw of licentiousness that intensifies through arrogance — as it is written: "and you shall not follow... after your eyes" as our Rabbis expounded. And afterward one places tefilin — for this is the aspect of elevating from the aspect of the seal in the flesh [ chosem bivsaro ] to the aspect of the engraved seal: "holy to Hashem" [ pis'chei chotam kodesh l'Hashem ] — which is the aspect of tefilin . And this is the aspect of the hairs of the tefilin — and the aspect of the head- tefilin and hand- tefilin , as explained in the inner teachings. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Hefker V'Nichsei HaGer, Halachah 4, Ois 5, 6.

28. The essential guarding of the mochin from the desire for licentiousness is through the mitzvos of tzitzis and tefilin which one dons every day. For every day the mochin are renewed — in the aspect of: "they are new every morning" — and through this the lights of tzitzis and tefilin emerge as explained in the sacred intentions. And through wrapping in tzitzis and tefilin every day — through this the holiness of the mochin is drawn upon us — which are the partitions set before this desire. But sometimes the evil inclination and Sitra Achara intensify so greatly that they wish to undermine and overturn even this — wishing to damage the partitions of mochin drawn upon the Jewish person every day through tzitzis and tefilin — which are the aspect of ox and sheep [ shor v'seh ] — for the ox's hide makes tefilin and from the sheep's wool one makes tzitzis . And tzitzis and tefilin are in the aspect of four and five: tzitzis are four, and tefilin are four boxes of the head- tefilin and one box of the hand- tefilin . And therefore when the Sitra Achara — called the thief — overcomes and as it were slaughters or sells, the holiness then overcomes through the power of the true Tzadikim and forces the Sitra Achara to disgorge all the holiness it had swallowed — and pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Gneivah, Halachah 4, Ois 2, 3, 4.

29. Tzitzis and tefilin are in the aspect of the light of truth through which one sees how to emerge from all darkness and impurity. For tzitzis are the rectification of the garments — to rectify them from the falsehood that most holds onto the garments — as is visible to all. For beged [garment] in Atbash [letter substitution] is the letters of sheker [falsehood], as brought. And tefilin are the light of the face — which is the aspect of truth. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., Halachah 5, Ois 15.

30. Tzitzis are in the aspect of the revelation of the supernal colors [ govnin ila'in ] — when all desire to gaze upon them — which is the aspect of the garments of salvation [ bigdei yesha ] — the aspect of: "coverings for the eyes." And this is the aspect of the tekheles in the tzitzis — which is the joining of black and white — the aspect of the totality of colors. And this is: "and you shall see it" — for when the colors are included together all desire to gaze upon them. And therefore tzitzis are a protection against harmful forces — for through the tzitzis which are the aspect of the revelation of the supernal colors — the aspect of the revelation of the Creator's greatness — through this the husks and imaginations which are the harmful forces of the world are subdued. And then one merits to ascend level by level. And therefore the essential rectification of prayer is through tzitzis and tefilin — for during prayer one ascends level by level — which one merits through the revelation of the aforementioned colors which are the aspect of tzitzis and tefilin . Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Me'abed Mamon Chaveiro, Halachah 2, Ois 8.

31. The mitzvah of tzitzis is in the aspect of the clothing of the light so that we can receive it — in the aspect of: "You clothed Yourself in glory and majesty — You wrap in light as in a garment" — which is the aspect of the scholarly robe [ chaluka d'rabbanan ]. And therefore the first service every morning is the mitzvah of tzitzis — and similarly a child's first initiation is the holy mitzvah of tzitzis . For tzitzis are the aspect of the clothing of the supernal light — so that every person can receive it according to their level. And therefore the portion of tzitzis is recited in Krias Shema — for it is impossible to draw upon ourselves the light of the faith in His unity and oneness in fullness except through the aspect of tzitzis — the holy garments through which all lights are drawn. Also tzitzis are in the aspect of transgressions being converted to merits — in the aspect of: "though your sins be as crimson, they shall become white as snow" [Yeshayah 1:18] — the aspect of the Holy One blessed be He wrapping in a tallis and arranging the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy through which all sins are forgiven and converted to merits. And therefore on Yom Kipur one wraps in tzitzis even from the night. Also tzitzis are in the aspect of the rectification and filling of the moon's diminishment. Source: Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Ma'akeh V'Shmirat Nefesh, Halachah 4, Ois 7, 11, 2.

32. Tzitzis and tefilin are in the aspect of holy boldness [ azus d'kedushah ] — through which comes the essential fullness of holy faith. Source: Likutay Halachos, ibid., summary notes of the halachah.