Bar Mitzva Tefillin Set

Size fitting depends on your height. Here is our quick guide for an accurate choice:

Size 50: Suitable for a person 150-165 cm tall (a classic size for a Bar Mitzvah boy or for those who prefer a shorter tallit).

Size 60: Suitable for a person 156-180 cm tall (the standard and most common size for men).

Size 70: Suitable for a person 180 cm and above (the perfect choice for those who like to wrap themselves in a large and roomy tallit).

It is very important to clarify: all the tying of the tzitzit in our workshop is done only by a God-fearing person because according to halacha, tying by a machine is completely invalid.

The difference only refers to the spinning stage (creating the wool threads themselves):

Machine threads (machine spinning): The threads are spun by a machine specially for the commandment of tzitzit. Within this framework, we provide thin threads with standard tying at no additional cost.

Handmade threads (hand spinning): The threads are spun by hand for this purpose and are considered more enhanced. In our workshop, those who choose to upgrade to hand spinning always receive thick threads, including careful tying by an expert and God-fearing staff member knowledgeable in the halachot. This upgrade costs only an additional 80 NIS.

To make things clear and simplify the ordering process for you, we’ve kept it as simple as possible: when purchasing on the site, you can choose from a menu whether you want the Spanish tying method or the Ashkenazi tying method, and we will tie it for you using the most standard and accepted method.

However, for those who have a specific family tradition or prefer a particular tying method, we’ve compiled details of the different styles. You can easily request any of them by specifying the type of tying in the order notes at checkout, and we will do it with love:

The Chinuch tying (the standard Spanish): the most common tying among Jews of Eastern communities. It consists of 26 knots divided into the order of 10, 5, 6, 5 (separated by double knots). This number exactly matches the gematria of the name of God (Y-H-V-H).

Gra tying (the standard Ashkenazi): named after the Vilna Gaon and common among Jews of European descent. It consists of 39 knots divided into the order of 7, 8, 11, 13 (separated by double knots). This number is the gematria of the words “The Lord is One.”

“Tal” tying (special Spanish): based on the Ashkenazi number of knots (39 = Tal), but done in the Spanish method – each knot is tied separately by wrapping the thread around itself.

Chabad tying: based on 39 knots, but divided into groups of three, with a small space between each group.

Rambam’s tying (Yemenite Jewry): a unique tying method without any double knots at all. The threads are divided into 7 or 13 groups (links) of 3 knots each, and at the end of each link the thread is tucked inside instead of tied.

The Torah states: “And they shall put a thread of blue upon the fringe of the corner.” According to halacha, kosher tekhelet is produced exclusively from the blood of a marine creature called “chilazon” (“its creation resembles a fish, and it appears once every seventy years”).

About 1,300 years ago, possibly due to decrees by the Roman emperors or the destruction of the dyeing houses, the exact knowledge about the identity of that chilazon was lost, and Jews began tying fringes from white threads only. In recent generations, with the advancement of research, historic breakthroughs were made in the restoration of the mitzvah. We offer the two leading methods:

Radzin Tekhelet (additional 150 NIS): In 1887 (5647), the Rebbe of Radzin identified the biblical chilazon as the “cutter fish” – a marine creature that secretes a dark liquid. This method is currently mainly prevalent among Radzin and Breslov Hasidim.

Argaman Keheh Kotsim Tekhelet (additional 280 NIS): The major breakthrough occurred in 1985, when researchers discovered how to produce a pure blue dye from a snail called “Argaman Keheh Kotsim,” found in the Mediterranean Sea. This identification is supported by archaeological findings of ancient Jewish dye houses and chemical tests. This method has received endorsement from many prominent contemporary poskim and rabbis.

Tying tzitzit with techelet is a halachic art that requires special expertise, as it combines alternating colors and requires creating “links” (groups of several wraps). There are many methods for tying the techelet throughout history (such as the methods of Rav Amram Gaon, the Raavad, Rambam, the Baalei Tosafot, and Sefer HaChinuch). The differences among them manifest in how many threads are dyed techelet and how many times one alternates between the white and techelet bindings.

At Ot MiShamayim, we specialize in all tying rulings and will ensure your techelet is tied precisely and meticulously, according to the tradition and halachic authority you follow. Simply specify your request when ordering.