“We don’t have to know why the command is as it is in order to obey it”
-Rashi
In our current discussion of the laws concerning forbidden mixtures or unions, I concluded in my last post that ultimately these particular commands are earthly illustrations of God’s divine principles as established in the heavens.
Therefore, it is futile to try to understand them from a scientific perspective.
God has created things in a certain order, each for a certain purpose and we human beings with our limited perspective do NOT have the right to “adulterate” this order.
It doesn’t matter whether we understand the “why” behind the laws or not.
As I’ve already told you, friggin’ drop your relentless search for the “why”!
There are just some things you’re never going to know this side of heaven.
Understanding WHY is completely secondary to the important thing of actually observing the commandment.
Be satisfied in your heart that the commands are the earthly reflections of eternal truths established in the heavens.
Here’s a sobering reminder from the Prophet Isaiah on this point.
“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
-Isaiah 55:8-9
Alright, with that off of my chest, let’s see what interesting connections we can find starting with the command that forbids wearing garments mixed with linen and wool.
The first thing you should know is that as with many of the commands in Torah, this particular instruction does NOT apply to every individual in the Hebrew community.
Priests who were on active duty were actually required to wear certain pieces of clothing woven from a mixture of wool and linen.
It was only the non-priests or the lay people who were forbidden from wearing the forbidden mixed materials.
In addition, understand that there was actually no prohibition against the action itself of weaving linen and wool together.
The prohibition was only against WEARING garments woven from linen and wool.
Got it?
A grain sack or even a tent made out of such mixed fabric was totally okay.
This is an interesting example of how the same thing can be BOTH holy or unholy depending on the situation.
I mean think about it.
If the gates of hell are automatically unleashed every time clothing made out of a mixture of linen and wool is worn, would God have commanded His own set-apart priests to wear such garments?
I think not.
And here’s another kicker.
There’s one other key item worn by all Israelites (and religious Jews today) that is made up out of the otherwise outlawed mixture of wool and linen.
Which item do you think I’m talking about?
I’m talking about TZITZIT.
Check out verse 12 of Deuteronomy 22.
“You are to make for yourself twisted cords
on the four corners of the garment
you wrap around yourself.”
We first encountered the instructions about TZITZIT in Numbers Chapter 15.
And interestingly, here in Deuteronomy 22, this verse follows right after the one that tells us we can’t wear items made out of mixed threads.
In the ancient writings of the Rabbis, we’re actually given detailed instructions on just how these religious tassels were made.
They were made out of linen threads and then there was one solitary blue-colored wool thread woven dead center amidst the linen threads.
That’s right folks.
Although not all sects of Judaism are in agreement on this issue, the original and most traditional TZITZIT were constructed out of the forbidden mixture of wool and linen.
Ain’t that amazing?
For any other use or purpose, wearing materials woven out of linen and wool is forbidden BUT…
…if it’s in the form of TZITZIT it’s cool beans baby!
Per the Lord’s sovereign decree, what in one form is deemed UNHOLY is in another form considered HOLY!
Interesting !
to me it points to Messiah. Linen being the clothing of priests so they won’t sweat as they work, and being from a plant — that springs out of the ground – as Adam was made from the ground & we are of Adam. The blue — if it was wool — would point to Yeshua being the Lamb Of God, who did not come from any seed planted by mere men.
Interesting thoughts Shilah! Thanks for sharing. Be blessed and shalom!