Not all Jews tie their tzitzit (ritual fringes) the same way. But if you look carefully at any contemporary tzitzit, you’re likely to see a pattern of knots and wrapped threads trailed by loose-hanging strings. That design is largely based on discussions from today’s daf and those that follow, in which the rabbis try to work out the physical details of tzitzit based on the instructions and language in the Torah.
The first instance of this commandment to wear tzitzit is found in Numbers 15:37–41, a passage recited daily as part of the Shema: “Speak to the Israelite people and instruct them to make for themselves fringes (tzitzit) on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a thread (petil) of blue to the fringe at each corner.” This commandment is repeated again in Deuteronomy 22:12, with slightly different wording: “You shall make twisted-cords (gedilim) on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself.”
The Torah’s use of the words “fringes” (tzitzit) and “thread” (petil) in Numbers versus “twisted-cords” (gedilim) in Deuteronomy seems to be one basis for the idea that tzitzit should be composed of a mix of loose and wrapped strings. But there is still much left to debate: the number of strings, the sorts of knots used to attach them, the precise number of wraps. All of these proposals have symbolic significance. So let’s examine some of the discussion.
Rav Hiyya, son of Rav Natan, teaches like this: Rav Huna says that Rav Sheshet says that Rav Yirmeya bar Abba says that Rav says: If one wound the majority of the strings, they are kosher. And even if he wound only one set of windings, they are kosher. But the most beautiful form of the strings is when one-third is windings and two-thirds are loose strings.
There is a range of opinions about how much winding must be included in the fringe. On the minimal end, one set of windings can be followed by loose threads. On the maximal end, the strings are mostly wound or twisted, with only a small tail hanging loose. According to Rav, the ideal ratio is one-third twisted strings to two-thirds loose strings. This seems to be the most aesthetically pleasing or beautiful option in his eyes.
When it comes to the individual twisted or wound sections, the Gemara brings a tradition that each section may not have fewer than seven or more than 13 windings. These aesthetic choices are given symbolic significance:
One who minimizes may not wind fewer than seven sets, corresponding to the seven firmaments. And one who adds may not wind more than 13 sets of windings, corresponding to the seven firmaments and the six air spaces between them.
This numerical pattern of wrapping is meant to recall the seven firmaments or layers of heaven recorded in midrashic tradition. The rabbis imagine that in an ideal world, one who looks down at their tzitzit is reminded of their symbolism for something greater than the objects themselves.
In a final story on the topic of windings, the Gemara recalls two rabbis who encounter unusual tzitzit in the wild:
Rav and Rabba bar bar Hana were sitting together. A certain man was passing by wearing a cloak made entirely of sky-blue fabric, on which he had affixed tzitzit composed entirely of windings. Rav said: The cloak is beautiful, but the strings are not beautiful. Rabba bar bar Hana said: The cloak is beautiful, and the strings are also beautiful.
We know that Rav holds that tzitzit are ideally one third wrapped and two-thirds loose. The Gemara explains that this difference in opinion with his colleague is due to divergent readings of the Torah’s language on tzitzit. Rabba bar bar Hana’s approval of this design stems from reading the terms “twisted-cords” (gedilim) and “thread” (petil) as two valid design options to choose from, not simultaneous requirements — tzitzit can be entirely twisted or entirely loose. Whereas Rav reads the addition of the plural term “twisted cords” as the basis for requiring four strings in tzitzit, not just two.
Read all of Menachot 39 on Sefaria.
This piece originally appeared in a My Jewish Learning Daf Yomi email newsletter sent on February 19, 2026. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter, sign up here.
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