Shabbat Prayers: Iyun Tefillah: Third Paragraph of Shema

The 4th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg, author of HaKesav Vehakabala and Iyun Tefillah (1785-1865). “Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them that they are to make themselves Tzitzit on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations. And they are to place upon the Tzitzit of each corner a thread of Techeilet. And it shall constitute Tzitzit for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of God and perform them.” It is interesting that the verse is describing numerous strings and yet, once combined with the thread of Techeilet, it speaks of it in the singular. The streams and the garment become a unity by virtue of the Mitzvah they fulfill.

We transform everything we use for a mitzvah. This awareness is the true understanding of sanctity, as the verse says, “and be holy to your Lord.” (Iyun Tefillah)