Chazal tell us that in the merit of covering Noach, Shem’s descendants, the Jews, merited the mitzvah of the Talis of tzitzis.
Some question this, based on the Gemara in Sota (17a) which says: “In the merit of Avraham saying, “If [I will take] from a thread to a shoelace...” from the spoils of war, his children merited the thread of techeiles in tzitzis.
The Klei Yakar answers the contradiction simply, in that in order to affix blue threads, you must first have the garment. Thus, Shem’s merit brought us the talis and Avraham’s brought us the strings upon it.
He then offers another explanation. We know that tzitzis protect one from debauchery (see Menachos 44a.) This depravity also leads to poverty, as Sota 4b says that one who consorts with a harlot will eventually need to beg for bread.
Now we can explain that because of Shem’s act of covering Noach, we were given the talis which covers our bodies, and its aspect of protecting us from znus and sensual sins.
Then, Avraham’s vow, showing he did not desire other people’s money, provided the secondary result of avoiding sensual sin, that we are protecting from poverty.
How great then, is the mitzvah of tzitzis, and how grateful and careful we should be for it and with it!
