Lumanny the Space Jew
Hi, it's me again: Lumanny the Reform (but really Conservative, honestly, if you look at the philosiphy and behavior) Jew who's always whining about not being Orthodox.
Is it weird that I'm a Reform Jew but I'm trying to order tzitzit undershirts online? (The first one would be in the mail right now if not for glitches and errors with my favorite Judaica website thta prevent me from ordering.)
Yes, I suppose it is weird.
I'm also reopening my experimentation with the Kippah and wearing it more often.
And I might be taking the bold step into Kosher-Style.
I've been listening to waaaaaaay too much Matisyahu...
Anyway...
-Is it weird?
-How many should I get?
-Should I go Cotton or Cotton-Polyester, now that I have time to rethink my order? I'm not doing wool.
-What is the maintenance of these types of tzitzit? The washing, and the like? How do you make them last and not clump or fray? I'm sure there must be much more to it than just tossing it in the washing machine.
-Should I reconsider my decision to not get Techellet?
-If you wear Tzitzit, do you let them hang out with pride or do you tuck them into your pants with efficency?
-Have I been listening to way too much Matisyahu?
-Is there such a thing as too much Matisyahu?
-Isn't Matisyahu awesome?
Personally, I don't think theres such thing as a reform Jew. I'd say its either observance or not, conservative or orthodox.
Either way, I come from a conservative family, and I recently bought my first Tzitzit. I have just one right now, but in the future, i'd probably get about 5 or 6, for every day of the week, as they are undershirts and do get a lot of sweat on them. (I bought size 20 Keter, 100% cotton V neck, for only 12.00) It says for mine for care instructions: Machine Wash, lukewarm water, mild soap, tumble dry low heat. Which I thought was interesting, cause I thought you can only wash them in the sink so the fringes don't get tied up. I'd never tuck them in, personally, I would if it had to come down to that, only because most people see them and have NO IDEA what they are, unless your on a Jewish Community street, I don't think they'd even know what it is at my conservative temple, which is why I don't go anymore. I went to a concert lastnight and everyone thought it was part of my shirt, like a style, I didn't get any looks, it was interesting. But if you come into contact with another Jew, they instantly know, and you got a new friend.
You said "hang out with pride" and you need to remember pride is not a good thing. pride, in definition, is a "high sense of ones personal status" meaning you think you are above other people, which is in no reason to wear Tzitzit, you wear them to remind you of the 613 commandments, and as your wearing them, its as if you have no choice but to remember them, and observe the daily commandments, such as being Kosher and so on. I'd say the least thing I have when wearing them is pride, because if you get any looks they're mostly bad, so you have no choice but to love the person more than they love you by the way they look at you, I actually feel myself ascend lower on the society scale, it's a way for your ego to become severed, like Chassidic dress. In all, never show or have pride, other people may think you wear it for pride, but for you it's a special reason that goes by Biblical (or Talmudic) terms. It's not the sign for you of a Jew, it's so you can remember Hashem in all your daily activities, and keep faith in his glory, which is humiliation and kindness.
You, like I, have been listening to too much Matisyahu.
Be strong, and take care.
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