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Tassels / Tzitzit
Mark 6:56 “Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.”
The greek word for edge or hem (of the garment) is G2899 – kraspedon meaning “a little appendage hanging down from the edge of the mantle or cloak“, an ornamental trimming, consisting of loose hanging threads, cords, or tassels, that is applied to the edges of clothing for decoration. In the case of Hebrews and Jews, the edge tassels are called Tzitzits H6734 – ṣîṣiṯ, a specific fringe, tassel. We read this command from Numbers 15, “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.”
The purpose of this tassel is also given in Numbers 15:39-40, “And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of YHWH and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your El.” It is to help us, and serve as a reminder to follow the commandments of YHWH, not to follow our own will or other gods. It’s purpose is to draw your eyes to it, basically “in your face” method, to remind you – as we get so easily distracted. See the post from yesterday, about Yeshua keep saying “Pay attention, Heed!” and what that really means.
The people obviously saw Yeshua’s tassels and knew the meaning of it. When they see it, and are reminded of YHWH’s commandments, they repent. In a way, “touching the tassels” is almost “touching the commandments”. Click here to see the post from Numbers 15 on Tassels / Tzitzit.
Yeshua also made a remark on the Pharisees’ tassels in Matthew 23:5, “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” These people make their tassels extra long and big and beautiful, so people will admire them for it. They take pride in themselves, which is ironic when one remembers how many times YHWH says He hates Pride. The verse from Numbers 15 says it is to help us “be holy”, but if you do it wrong and think of yourself as being “holy”, you have missed the mark.
Pharisees, Saducees and Scribes
Mark 7:1 “Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him”
It seems the Pharisees were a lot on Yeshua’s case.. always trying to ask trick questions, conspiring against Him and constantly watching Him. But many times we read the Scribes were right there with the Pharisees, and then at some instances the Saduccees also had questions. But Yeshua was very outspoken against them, giving parables about bad rulers, and the Pharisees got real angry as they knew Yeshua was pointing back at them. A few times Yeshua called them snakes and vipers! Matthew 12:34 “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil?”, and Matthew 23:33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”
Who exactly were these people:
- Scribes – In 1 Chronicles 24 we posted about Scribes, the meaning of a scribe and their purpose, who often served as royal officials, secretaries, and keepers of records. They were skilled in reading, writing, and seen as professional interpreters of the Law, and were frequently depicted as experts in religious law. Their role evolved to include preserving, copying, and teaching religious and legal texts.
- Pharisees – an influential Jewish religious and political party during the Second Temple period, known for their emphasis on ceremonial holiness and strict adherence to religious law. They believed in both the written Law and oral traditions, and they also held unique beliefs such as the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, Pharisaic beliefs became the foundation of Rabbinic Judaism.
- Sadducees – a wealthy, aristocratic Jewish sect who controlled the Temple and priesthood in Jerusalem, and were known for their strict adherence to the written Torah, rejection of resurrection and an afterlife, and close ties with the Roman rulers of Judea. As political elites, they were rivals to the Pharisees. The Sadducees disappeared after the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, as their power was tied to it.
