Healing tzitzit

[By Grace]

First of all, does/could this verse refer to the Messiah?

Mal 4:2 But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings (kanaph).


Secondly, can the word used here for "wings" (kanaph) also refer to the corners of the man's garments, since it's used that way in Numbers?

Num 15:38 Speak to the children of Yisra'el, and bid those who they make them tzitziyot in the borders (kanaph) of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the tzitzit of each border a cord of blue


Finally, would that explain why people in Y'shua's time wanted to touch his tzitzit to be healed?

Mat 14:35 When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick,
Mat 14:36 and they begged him that they might just touch the tzitzit of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.

Mar 6:56 Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the tzitzit of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.

(And also the woman with the issue of blood.)


Basically, I guess I'm asking, is it too much of a stretch to assume that the people knew to expect Y'shua's tzitzit to have healing powers, b/c of the prophecy in Malachi?

One more thing, were the tzitziyot on their clothes or prayer shawls (aren't those called tallits?)?

TIA,

[Shimshon]

Jill,

I think your right-on in your discernment concerning the tzitziyot. cudos :clap:

As far as the tallit (tallis is yiddish), the custom was to wear four cornered garments. Rounded clothes were not used then. Interesting enough you mention this, as the rabbis (p'rushim) encountered this delema their response was to start using a tallit. And as more rationalization insued, the thought that one can not see the tzitziyot at night came up and it was desided that they should only be worn during the day.

Now, this wrecks havoc on the true intent of the mitzvah. I believe the intent of the mitzvah was to make seen (make visible) the ways, mitzvot and regulations given by Adonai in every corner of our life. They represented the commandments of G-d and reminded us (and others) not only of them...but to DO them, that we may be blessed.

This was done visible and physically by wearing tzitziyot on the four corners of your garments. Representing the commandments of G-d in every corner of your wear. This was meant to be walked out in ones heart proved by ones purity and holiness (2 cor 6:6). Showing that by the power of the Ruach we live new cleansed purified lives in EVERY corner of our life.

David ben Michael

[By Grace]

Now, this wrecks havoc on the true intent of the mitzvah. I believe the intent of the mitzvah was to make seen (make visible) the ways, mitzvot and regulations given by Adonai in every corner of our life.
That's an interesting insight and parallel--I hadn't thought of that!

Thank you for your input. I can't take credit for the idea, though. It's something I read in a book, and I was wondering if others thought it was a legitimate link.

[Sephania]

In essence those who grabbed onto his tzitzit were basically saying , I believe in you and the mitzvot of HaShem. This faith, this belief would bring about the healing.

[Sephania]

And to think those Roman soldiers gambled for that garment, probably wanted to see if it held any special powers, like Hitler in the Raiders of the lost Ark.

As If.

[Talmidah]

Now, this wrecks havoc on the true intent of the mitzvah. I believe the intent of the mitzvah was to make seen (make visible) the ways, mitzvot and regulations given by Adonai in every corner of our life. They represented the commandments of G-d and reminded us (and others) not only of them...but to DO them, that we may be blessed.

This was done visible and physically by wearing tzitziyot on the four corners of your garments.
The talit katan can meet this purpose as well, no?

[Andyman_1970]

First of all, does/could this verse refer to the Messiah?

Mal 4:2 But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings (kanaph).



Around the time of the prophets a legend developed that you could take that prophecy from Malachi literally, and so it developed that when Messiah comes one of the ways we’ll know He’s the Messiah is there will be healing in His wings, there will be healing in His Tzitzit.

Secondly, can the word used here for "wings" (kanaph) also refer to the corners of the man's garments, since it's used that way in Numbers?

Num 15:38 Speak to the children of Yisra'el, and bid those who they make them tzitziyot in the borders (kanaph) of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the tzitzit of each border a cord of blue

Yes.

[Shimshon]

The talit katan can meet this purpose as well, no?
Small or large tallis it makes no difference. The heart of the mitzvah was concerning an "outward show of your inward convictions". That others would see the Ruach HaKodesh in every word and action you make. This was 'symbolized' by placing tzitziyot at every corner of your garments. In my understanding of this, it is the tzitziyot that are the focus not the garments or tallis. But rabbinical othodoxy seems to place a focus on the tallis "BECAUSE" it is adorned with the tzitziyot. Seems to me but yet another method of making fences around Torah, magnifying the object rather than the thing that makes it holy, magnifying the halacha over the mitzvah....the work over the intent.....the creation over the creator....doing things to legalistic perfection only to miss the very heart of the instruction.

David ben Michael

[Talmidah]

All I was saying that since the tallit is worn only during the day, the 'outward sign' is not always there because the tallit is not worn at night (or at work, shopping, etc). The talit katan is worn all of the time and so is visible regardless of where the person is or what time it is. Reminding both the wearer and those who see him of the obligations of Torah.

[Sephania]

Yes Talmidah, absolutely! It is the reason one should and would wear one as a reminder as the mitvah goes, of HaShem and his torah of life. If one choses not to obey them or think that they are done away with one should be wearing one. :)

I don't agree Shimshon about this being a 'heart of the matter' Mitzvah of an outward showing. This basically was to be a visual reminder everywhere you go and every thing you do that HaShem is everywhere and in everything you do to remember that and his holy laws. It is where I believe the tying of a string around your finger to remind you to do something. :)

[Sephania]

First of all, does/could this verse refer to the Messiah?

Mal 4:2 But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings (kanaph).


Secondly, can the word used here for "wings" (kanaph) also refer to the corners of the man's garments, since it's used that way in Numbers?

Num 15:38 Speak to the children of Yisra'el, and bid those who they make them tzitziyot in the borders (kanaph) of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the tzitzit of each border a cord of blue


Jill, I just reread this and two things struck me.

1. The verse ( if translated properly) says 'SUN' not 'SON'
and
2. 'ITS' wings, not 'his wings'.
:scratch:

I think we need debi for this.

[Shimshon]

This basically was to be a visual reminder (outward show) everywhere you go and every thing you do that HaShem is everywhere and in everything you do (inward convictions) to remember that and his holy laws.
I respectfully disagree with your disagreement. I do beleive we agree but from different perspectives.

[Sephania]

I read your other post where you say that the Ruach HaKodesh is our tzitzit, but while that may be beautiful and of an inward means, we still are visual creatures and sometimes seeing something imprints more on us than that still small voice.

:)

[Shimshon]

Jill, I just reread this and two things struck me.

1. The verse ( if translated properly) says 'SUN' not 'SON'
and
2. 'ITS' wings, not 'his wings'.
:scratch:

I think we need debi for this.
Zayit, it's an anthropomorphism. And if understood in the "proper" context indicates just what is being understood by
If you research "Torrey's Topical Textbook" at crosswalk.com you will notice that Malichi 4:2 "sun of righteousness" is listed under "Titles and names of christ". As well as "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible" which takes the understanding that this verse refers to Mashiach.

This is quite interesting as well. The "Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)" has this to say about it;

1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.




greater light The "greater light" is a type of Christ, the "Sun of righteousness" Malichi 4:2. He will take this character at His second advent. Morally the world is now in the state between ; Genesis 1:3-16; Ephesians 6:12; Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9. The sun is not seen, but there is light. Christ is that light John 1:4,5,9 but "shineth in darkness," comprehended only by faith. As "Son of righteousness" He will dispel all darkness. Dispensationally the Church is in place as the "lesser light," the moon, reflecting the light of the unseen sun. The stars Genesis 1:16 are individual believers who are "lights" ; Phillippians 2:15,16; John 1:5.

[Shimshon]

I read your other post where you say that the Ruach HaKodesh is our tzitzit, but while that may be beautiful and of an inward means, we still are visual creatures and sometimes seeing something imprints more on us than that still small voice.

:)
What was it that Shaul said about how he chose to veiw people now in the light of Mashiachs coming? Was it not that he chose only to see the new creation in people. He told us that we are to live our complete lives as "living sacrifice". That our lives were living letters. Our actions were the very testimony of G-d. This is my whole point here. The point that it is the Ruach in us that is the visible and identifiable force that gives us life. This is seen in every breath of a believers life. The Ruach is supposed to be living His life through you. This force in your body is supposed to be seen by all the world. Giving glory to G-d and Kadosh to his ways.

the 'old' creature was a visually physical creature (fleshly) seeing things only through physical eyes, the 'new creature is a visually Spiritual creature (Spirit).

[Sephania]

OK, I understand what you are saying but that is not what I meant. Let me understand you, do you feel that tzitzit are passe? We no longer need to observe this mitvah?

[Shimshon]

OK, I understand what you are saying but that is not what I meant. Let me understand you, do you feel that tzitzit are passe? We no longer need to observe this mitvah?
Heaven forbid! No. I do not see any tool that was given us for the betterment of our souls by Yeshua as "passe". In these fleshly bodies we should adorn the uniform. The same way Yeshua did. But knowing that it is not the uniform that makes the difference but the one wearing it. If we dress up just like Yeshua ...looking as jewish as he was, does that make us jewish? Does that make us Yeshua? Ofcourse not. Yet, if Yeshua stripped all his uniform off and came as buck naked as adamah, would that nullify any of his status or power? Because he didn't wear the tzitziyot? If a soldier takes his flag off his uniform in battle so as to disquise himself to the enemy, does he lose his status as an "american"? (he was ordered to were the flag as part of his uniform) Did he commit "treason"?

We are to observe the mitzvot in rememberance and in honor, understanding it's true meaning and intent. Just like Yeshua who did not come looking like a goy but like a jew, yet claiming that his status did not depend on his being jewish but him being Yeshuati. The G-d of our salvation.