In Levush HaAron (pages 89-92) the question is brought up: “How can the chemical test of Chazal differentiate between תכלת and קלא אילן?” It answers: “… The indirubin that is present in plant indigo is known to make vat dyes…
H/T Rabbi Mordechai Honig for finding this 15th century Ksav Yad on Rashi for Bechoros 38a. Our modern editions have “Chilazon” as “Limon” (almost like a lemon). Apparently this was a misprint, aaaaaand….. it’s yet another reference to Limetz/Limace (snail)!…
A few weeks ago I ran some dyeing experiments to test: a) if dyeing murex trunculus wool at night will produce blue, b) if it’s purple, if heat will turn it blue without UV rays from sunlight (as Ptil Tekhelet…
In case one was wondering if a Rishon was explicit in what Techeiles and the source is, to me the most blatant one is the Raavya (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliezer_ben_Joel_HaLevi) to explain Brachos 1 Halacha 2 in the Talmud Yerushalmi . While more…
Among the Techeiles community, it’s well known that Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky ZT”L wore Techeiles but didn’t actively tell people they needed to wear it. What many people don’t know was his journey to arrive to the conclusion that murex…
Techeiles is a Mitzvah in the Torah that has been lost for 1,300 years. Upon its revival, it naturally has received its healthy dose of skepticism for various reasons. This is my “top 10” list of common objections to wearing…
This is an incredible resource, in that this gives you the recipe. Translated by Dr. Israel Ziderman, and edited by me. That said, I found out about the exact translation of the “mystery chemicals” below: Tartar Deporat – (Cream of…
Let’s build a case, based on the videos shared in the Radzyner album and other resources, for the validity of one wearing Radzyner Techeiles. FWIW I’m aware of R’ Michael Shlomo Bar Ron’s video which I respectfully refuted for the…
Techeiles is a Torah-based Mitzvah which has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. With both scientific and Rabbinical support, plus the length of time it’s been allowed to percolate, the murex Tekhelet has enjoyed more success than the Radziner variant,…
I know I know. Amare’s Jewishness is doubtful and he associated with the Black Hebrews more. He also doesn’t wear a yarmulke. Still, Tzitzis with Techeiles is Tzitzis with Techeiles.