Tekhelet: Frequently Asked Questions

Wearing Tekhelet on tzitzit is a mitzvah prescribed by the Torah. It is a commandment which is intended for all generations, independent of location and unrelated to the existence of the Temple. It is only during the last century that we have had the means and privilege of embarking upon the restoration of Tekhelet, which has been denied to us for many centuries. Dare we let this opportunity pass us by?

The Talmud describes Tekhelet as coming from a sea-creature called a chillazon. In a homiletic passage, the chillazon is characterized as “similar to the sea, being similar to [but not] a fish, and coming up from the sea once in seventy years [rarely].” Chillazon in modern Hebrew means “snail”. Rabbinic, historical, archaeological and chemical evidence point to Murex trunculus snails as the source of Tekhelet.

Murex snails possess a gland which contains the chemical precursors to the Tekhelet dye. These molecules, which originate from glandular secretions of a fresh snail, bonds chemically to wool when put into solution in a reduced state (vat dyeing). In the presence of sunlight, the molecules convert to to indigo, leaving color-fast sky-blue wool.

There are different opinions regarding how Tekhelet should be tied. Bear in mind that the technique chosen does not qualify/disqualify the mitzvah, except for certain minimal requirements. Today, Tekhelet is being tied following the opinions of various legal authorities including the Vilna Gaon, the Rambam, the Sefer HaChinuch, and Chabad.

The dye extraction process is performed by workers under Ptil Tekhelet’s supervision. The actual dyeing of wool with the Tekhelet is undertaken by Ptil Tekhelet, (in Jerusalem and its environs) under the direction of its founder Rav Eliyahu Tavger, and in consultation with various Poskim. The wool is dyed expressly with the intent of the mitzvah, as dictated by halacha.

Murex trunculus snails live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient Israel, the tribe of Zebulun, located on the North-East coast, was attributed with having the chillazon. Archaeological digs have since uncovered mounds of broken Murex shells and remains of the dyeing industry on the North-Eastern coast of Israel. Today, since Murex trunculus snails are a protected species in Israel, snails for Tekhelet are obtained and processed outside of Israel (Greece, Spain, Croatia, etc.) where they are caught and sold for food.

One to make the dye and 29 to tie the tzitzit (just kidding). We estimate that it takes approximately 30 snails to produce a set of Tekhelet strings. However, this number may very well fluctuate based on season, port of origin, extraction technique, etc. Scientific investigation of these influences will hopefully produce more accurate information in the future

Archaeological discovery of mounds of Murex snails at coastal dyeing sites, ancient fabrics dyed blue from Murex, as well as literary evidence from the ancient world of dyeing and chemical analysis of the Murex dye, are all strong factors in support of this conclusion. More importantly, the growing number of Rabbinic personalities and halachic communities wearing Tekhelet today, lends further credence to its authenticity. The results of the “real” test, however, will only be validated by its acceptance in the years, if not generations to come.