The Dubno Maggid illustrates this with a mashal: A poor man was once invited to a lavish meal at the home of a wealthy nobleman. Throughout the evening, he noticed that every time the host rang a small silver bell, waiters would immediately appear — serving food, clearing dishes, bringing the next course. The pauper thought he discovered the secret to wealth: it must be the bell! The next day, he went out and bought an identical bell. He gathered his children around the table and proudly rang it — but nothing happened. Again and again he rang, but no one came. Frustrated, he returned to the shop and angrily demanded a refund. “This bell is broken!” he said. The store owner replied calmly, “The bell is fine. But it only works if you’ve done the preparation. The rich man had staff, food, planning — the bell was just the signal.”
So too, says the Maggid, is tzitzis. The Torah promises that by looking at them, one will remember all the mitzvos. But if a person never learns the meaning of the mitzvos, never contemplates the purpose of tzitzis, then looking at them is like ringing the bell with no staff prepared. It takes hachanah – preparation, reflection, and understanding – for tzitzis to unlock its full spiritual power.
Tzitzis also carry many segulos. Chazal say that looking at them can help a person overcome anger, avoid lashon hara, and even bring about refuah sheleimah. It is not just a mitzvah — it’s a tool for growth and spiritual protection.
The great gaon, Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg zt”l, famously wore over 170 pairs of tzitzis every day. He didn’t have a mystical number — he simply wore as many as he physically could. To him, each one represented a priceless mitzvah, a constant embrace of Hashem’s will. Once, while boarding a plane, security was understandably puzzled by his unusual appearance. A guard asked, “What are you wearing?” Rav Scheinberg replied simply, “These are religious garments.” A Jewish security officer was called over and asked, “In Hebrew school, we were taught to wear one pair of tzitzis. Why are you wearing so many?” Rav Scheinberg smiled and answered, “I’m wearing one for you as well. But if you prefer, you can wear one yourself — I’ll happily give it to you.” This was not a joke — it was the heart of a gadol who carried the burden of Klal Yisrael.
We may not wear 170 pairs, but we can begin by wearing one — properly, proudly, and with understanding. Tzitzis is not just a string — it’s a reminder, a protection, a declaration of identity, and a passport to the world of mitzvos. And it’s all for just a few dollars and the willingness to wear Hashem’s seal every day.
