Tying Tzitzis Nusach Ashkenazi



There are two basic SYMBOLIC aspects in the making of tzitzis.

1.The numerical value of the word tzitzit is 600, which, together with the eight strings and five knots on each corner, adds up to 613, the total number of mitzvos in the Torah.

2.The first three groups of windings 7, 8, 11 add up to 26, which is the numerical value of one of the names of HASHEM, while the remaining group, 13, is equal to the numerical value of the word echad- one. The tzitzis thus symbolize the words "HASHEM Echad"- HASHEM is one.

Step 1.

Gather together the four white ends and insert them in the corner of the garment...
Step 2.

...so that the techeles is on the top face like this.
Step 3.

Now space the whites, releasing for the time being the techeles strand, so that the top face (the right) is 4 inches longer than the under side (the left).
 

Step 4.

Position the techeles fringe so that the point where the blue meets white is at the aperature of the corner, with the white side joining the white on the left, and the techelet joining on the right.

At this point either make the Brachah or say the following:

"L'shem mitzvat tzitzit"
("for the sake of the commandment of tzitzit").

Note: According to all opinions, at the begining of the tying of the fourth corner, say the words "L'shem Mitzvat Tzitzith", as the tying of the fourth corner is the completion of the act, so if HASHEM forbid, your attention was diverted while you were tying the first three corners, make sure to have special intention for the fourth corner.
Step 5.

Now you are ready for your first of five sets of double knots, all which will be tied right over left, left over right, so that the left side remains stationary and the right side, the one with the techelet, goes back and forth around the left.
Step 6.

right over left ...
Step 7.

and left over right ...
Step 8.

... and tighten.
Step 9.

Prior to beginning the wraps, take the ends of the left side and tie them together in a slip knot.
Step 10.

A good suggestion is to wind the 7 whites into a column and wrap them around the pinky of your left hand; pulling taut against the garment while you are wrapping.
Step 11.

Now you begin the first set of seven wraps, simply wrapping the techelet around the other seven fringes.
Step 12.

Take up the slack, unwind the seven whites, and separate the left from the right side, and join the techelet with the other three whites of the right side.
Step 13.

Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7, right over left, left over right.
 

Step 14.

Repeat step 11, wrapping 8 times.


Step 15.

Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7.


Step 16.

Repeat step 11, wrapping 11 times.


Step 17.

Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7.


Step 18.

Repeat step 11, wrapping 13 times.


Step 19.

Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7, and release the slip knot.

Corner completed


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