The Tzitzit between the Glamorous life and the Book of Zohar

The Parasha in our everyday life – Shlach Lecha - 5782

Rabbi Eliezer Shenvald - Rosh Yeshivat Hesder 'Meir Harel' Modi'in

When Rabbi Uri Zohar Z''L passed away, I wanted to explain to the young Yeshiva students, the vast majority of whom did not know him, who he was, and what a dramatic course of repentance he underwent, more than forty years ago. And it was such a wonder to them.

It was the years after the Yom Kippur War, we were young men and we were exposed to what was going on in the secular general entertainment culture, which had quite a bit of defiance, sexuality, and bluntness. The content did not, to say the least, fit the path of the Torah. It can be said, in retrospect, that those were years of trial, examination, and embarrassment. The influence of the late R' Uri Zohar Z"L of those days on the character was very noticeable. Blessed with talent, sharp-tongued, an admirable figure for many, award-winning, leading, who stood in front of the stage, was seen and heard.

He changed his last name Jadek to Zohar, probably not by chance. It suited his status in the world of entertainment and the glamorous life of those days. (in Hebrew חיי זוהר)

One day the rumor spread that he was in the process of religious observance! Returning to our roots! It was hard to believe! It was so unlikely! Until one day he showed up to an entertainment event wearing a "Tzitzit-fringe" falling over his clothes and a Kippa on his head. This was the symbol and the sign that marked the turning point. This struck the country in astonishment. There were still those who did not believe, they were sure it was another 'prank', and after a few days he would stand on stage and slap the public, 'I was just kidding, and you believed me!' However, this did not happen.

He said that he met an ultra-Orthodox Rabbi and argued with him for three consecutive days! Is there any truth and what is it? And after three days he was convinced that the world has a Creator and the Torah is true.

From then on he stuck to it without deviation and without rounding corners. Said of himself that he was not endowed with the attribute of self-deception. And if there is truth, one should go with it accordingly. This principle accompanied him until his last day. The story of R' Uri Zohar's Z"L 'Chazara BiTshuvah' – "return to the roots" is perhaps the most dramatic and powerful story of repentance in the last generation. He was a model for many who followed him and took upon themselves a world of repentance. And also for us young men from the religious community, who saw in this course a model of true devotion to faith and Torah and devotion to Torah study with diligence and perseverance, and the transition from the glamorous life to the Book of Zohar. And of the willingness to live a life of modesty, and to some extent even asceticism, in testifying that he is the happiest person: "Because everything I really want I have!".

At the end of Parashat Shlach Lecha, we read about the commandment of the Tzitzit. It is not for nothing that this is the symbol that distinguishes the garment of the people of Israel, and the complete acceptance of the yoke of Heaven.

וראיתם אותו וזכרתם את כל מצות ה' תזכרו שאתם עבדים לאל יתברך ושקבלתם מצותיו באלה ובשבועה וזה בראותם הציצית שהוא כחותם המלך בעבדיו

"you will be reminded that you are G-d’s servants whose commandments you have accepted reinforced by oaths known as אלה and שבועה. This reminder will be due to your looking at the “fringes” that may be viewed as if their king had placed a stamp on your bodies confirming that the wearer is one of his subjects". (Sforno Bamidbar 15:39)

The Tzitzit is one of the first Mitzvot we observe every morning. And among the first commandments to which a little child is accustomed. It is therefore not surprising that the Tzitzit was also the symbol of the dramatic turning point in one of the greatest processes of religious observance of this generation. Observance of the commandment of the Tzitzit shapes the spiritual world of man:

ובזה תחדלו מתור אחרי לבבכם להשיג שרירות לבכם כעושר וכבוד אפילו בגזל

"And in this, you will cease from following your heart to obtain the arbitrariness of your heart in wealth and honor even in plunder". And prevents the gaze from being diverted to sights that will distract the mind and the heart to the realms of lust:

ואחרי עיניכם להשיג תאוות שנתתם עיניכם בהן:

"This in turn will lead to your ceasing to follow the inclination of your hearts and eyes to indulge your diverse urges, originating in your bodies. Without these fringes as a constant reminder of your purpose on earth, you would be likely to fall prey to these urges inspired by the evil urge".

אשר אתם זונים אחריהם מטים נפשכם השכלית בהן מדרכי חיי עולם לדרכי אבדון ומות:

"This would eventually diminish the influence of your mind over your body to such an extent that it would lead to your premature death both in this world and in the hereafter". (ibid)

And it turns and focuses the gaze on the spiritual world and holiness:

למען תזכרו, למען תהיו פנוים ממחשבות הבליכם ובזה תזכרו גודל האל וחסדו:

"so that you would be free from thoughts of vain matters; once you are no longer concerned with the pursuit of the transient material allusions in this life, you will be receptive to the marvelous ways of the Torah, through the study of which you will come to recognize the greatness of the Creator and His amazing love for His creatures". (Ibid 15:40) 

וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺ֣ת ה' וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם

"look at it and recall all the commandments of Hashem and observe them…" (Bamidbar 15:39)

"The sight of the blue thread, resembling the sea, the sky, and the Throne of Glory, reminds us of the commandments of G-d, encourages us the spiritual memory of the sanctity of the commandments, the divine light flowing through all passages of the soul, which is clothed in the holiness of the revelation of the divine life, which erupts to be revealed in the deeds of all the commandments” (Olat Reiyah Part I pp 5).

והזהיר במצות ציצית זוכה ורואה פני שכינה:

"And one who is careful in the Mitzvah of Tzitzit will merit and see the face of the Divine Presence" (Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim Siman 24)