038. "They Enlarge the Borders of Their Garments"
"They Enlarge the Borders of Their Garments"
There are zizith or fringes at each corner, and those the Jews reverently kiss. Numbers 15:38 : "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringes of the borders a ribband of blue. In Bible days this robe was the distinctive garment worn by the Jews, but during the Maccabean persecution the Jews were so easily distinguished by their dress that, as a measure of safety, they were allowed by Jewish leaders to wear the fringe on an inner robe, only during the hour of prayer. This they continue to do to the present day. They call it now a "prayer shawl."
Probably Christ, as a strict Jew, wore the fringes on an outer garment. The "hem of his garment" was the zizith (Luke 8:44). The woman came behind Him, and touched the border or fringe of his garment. The talith is generally a gift to a son by his mother when he is made "Son of the Law" (Bar- Mitzvah ceremony) ; and by a bride to her bridegroom.
Women never wear a talith, as they are not obliged to pray. A talith is worn by a Jew over his head or shoulders while praying. It is shaped like a shawl or a scarf now, but in Bible days it was a man’s upper garment. Blue stripes are woven into the white at each end.
"And put upon the fringe at the borders a ribband of blue."