And my father dwelt in a tent.” –1 Nephi 1:46 [2:15]
Lehi’s willingness to forsake his wealth and worldly possessions to follow God’s will can be seen by his humility to live in a tent. However, there may be a potential deeper meaning in this passage connected to the concept of the tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) and the tzitzits (fringes or tassels worn on the corners of garments). “Tallit” translates to “little tent.” This suggests a possible link between Lehi’s temporary dwelling and symbolic representations of covenant and identity.
What are tzitzits, and where are they mentioned in scripture?
Tzitzits are fringes or tassels that observant Jews and some Messianic believers wear on the corners of their garments as a reminder of God’s Torah and our covenant with Him. The instruction to wear tzitzits is found in Numbers 15:37-41 in the Old Testament (Torah).
Speak unto Yisrael. Say to them that they are to make for themselves tzitzit on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and they are to put a blue cord on each tzitzit. It will be your own tzitzit—so whenever you look at them, you will remember all the mitzvot of YHVH and do them and not go spying out after your own hearts and your own eyes, prostituting yourselves.” -Numbers 15:37-39 TLV
It is also recorded in the plates of brass in 4 Moses 7:23-25, which Nephi would have had access to.
Thou shalt make tzitzits in the four corners of thy garments throughout all your generations, and thou shalt put upon the tzitsit a blue thread. And it shall be unto thee for a protection, that thou shalt look upon it and remember all thy mitzvot unto me and do them, and thou shalt remember that Israel is a holy people, a nation of kings and queens, and of Priests and Priestesses.”
Both accounts specify making tzitzits on the four corners of garments with a blue cord. However, the reason for wearing them differs slightly. In Numbers, the purpose is to remember the commandments and avoid straying after one’s own desires. In the plates of brass, the purpose is to remember the commandments and one’s identity as a holy people, a nation of kings and queens, and priests and priestesses, offering both a preventative and an identity-affirming reason.
Healing in His Wings
The Book of Mormon, both 1 Nephi 11:22 [25:13] and 3 Nephi 11:23 [25:2] (quoting Malachi 4:2), describes Jesus Christ as having “healing in his wings.” This imagery is connected to the biblical account of the woman who touched the hem (corner) of Jesus’ garment and was healed (Matthew 9:20-22). “Wings” in this context can be another translation of tzitzit. It may refer to the corners of Jesus’ tallit. This implies that the healing power of the covenant is associated with these symbolic fringes. This idea speaks to our subconscious, wearing them represent that covenant and our divine connection with God.
The Red Mark of the Amalekites and Tzitzits
The Book of Mormon describes the Amalekites marking themselves with red on their foreheads as a sign of rebellion against God and alignment with the Lamanites, who were under a curse marked by the Lord.
The Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites, nevertheless, they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.” -Alma 1:102 [3:4]
“Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.” -Alma 1:111 [3:13]
“Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed; and I will set a mark upon them, that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and forever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me, that I may have mercy upon them.” -Alma 1:113 [3:14b]
“Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless, they had come out in open rebellion against God; therefore, it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them.” -Alma 1:117-118 [3:18]
Tzitzits can also be translated as “locks” as in locks of hair. In a culture familiar with wearing tzitzits, the deliberate act of placing a red mark on the forehead could be interpreted as a rejection of their covenantal identity symbolized by the tzitzit.
Symbolic Meanings
Wearing tzitzits serves multiple purposes:
- Remembrance of Covenant: The blue thread symbolizes the covenant path.
- Identity as Kings and Queens, and Priests and Priestesses: The tzitzits are a reminder of our divine potential and calling.
- Symbol of Service: The tzitzits signifies a commitment to serve others, mirroring Jesus Christ’s example.
- Visible Sign: The tzitzits can serve as a way for others to recognize them as a follower of Christ who is willing to help.
- Worthiness: It’s a sign that they are worthy to be called God’s people through the grace of Jesus Christ.
The tzitzits are a symbol of belonging to Christ and a reminder to serve others and embody Christ-like qualities.
Should all Believers Wear Tzitzits?
Wearing tzitzits should not be seen as a mandatory commandment for all believers today. Our covenant with God is personal, we should seek the experience of receiving revelation to wear them as a sign of our covenant relationship with God. It is a reminder of their royal priesthood, and a symbol of service. Every individual is encouraged to seek their own personal revelation from the Lord to determine if they are invited to wear tzitzits.
As Israel we did not covenant to wear the tzitzits but to do all that YHVH asks of us (Moses 27:7, Exodus 19:8). The teaching in the Torah does not create a universal obligation to wear tzitzits, but rather gives us an opportunity for individual revelation in seeking personal guidance from the Lord. Every follower of Christ should seek their own experience with tzitzits as an example of how God can communicate with individuals and lead us in our spiritual journeys. Everyone should ask God for themselves what His will is regarding this practice as we do in every other aspects of our faith.
