Dyeing to Be Holy: Techelet Marine Expedition

by Nathan Jeffay

Dor Beach — Bathers on a northern Israel beach witnessed a strange spectacle in late September, when a group of Orthodox Jews arrived, discussed a number of Talmudic passages, and waded into the water, wearing snorkels, to unravel a biblical mystery.

As well as demanding that “the Children of Israel make tzitzit on the corners of their garments,” the Bible calls for these fringes to contain a thread dyed a particular shade of blue, called tekhelet.

But for more than 1,200 years, the source of the dye for this color has been a mystery.

This article appeared in the Oct. 22, 2010 edition of The Forward. To read the entire article, click here>>

Ptil Tekhelet is sponsoring another marine expedition tour for Chol Hamoed Pesach 5771.
For information, click here>>