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The following pages describe, in detail, the
necessary steps to tie tzitzit according to the Ba’alei Tosafot. This method consists of making 5
knots, in between which there are four groups of winds. Groups 1, 2, 3 consist of a white
chulya (of three winds) and a blue chulya (of three winds). Group 4 consists of a single white
chulya.
The photographs below show how to make the chulyot
for group 1 – which is to be repeated for groups 2 and 3. Group 4 is also the same without
doing the blue chulya.
The description begins assuming that the tier has
placed the four strings into the corner hole, folded them over evenly, and
tied them with a double knot.
Click on any picture to view it enlarged.
(The enlarged picture will open in a separate window,
and all subsequent enlargements will open in this existing window).
General Glossary
Finger names: thumb, index, middle, ring, little.
Shamash: primary winding strand
Chulya: triplet winding
Special thanks to my wife Deena for the photography
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THE FIRST GROUP
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1
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Take hold of the
white shamash with the right thumb and index finger. Hold the remaining seven strings
(“core”) in the left hand.
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2
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Wrap the shamash
around the core strings – going over the top of the core and away from
oneself, then pulling down and under the core towards oneself.
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3
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Wrap the shamash
around the core again – going over the top of the core and away from oneself.
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4
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Complete the wrap
of the shamash around the core strings – pulling down and under the core
towards oneself.
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5
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Repeat step 3.
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6
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Repeat step 4.
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7
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Complete the third
wind of the white shamash, wrapping it up and over the core and then hanging
it down behind the core. Use the
left index finger to keep the wrappings in place.
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8
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Take hold of the
blue shamash with the right thumb and index finger. Hold the remaining seven (“core”) strings – including the
white shamash – in the left hand.
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9
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Wrap the shamash
around the core strings – going over the top of the core and away from
oneself, then pulling down and under the core towards oneself.
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10
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Wrap the shamash
around the core again – going over the top of the core and away from oneself.
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11
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Complete the wrap
of the shamash around the core strings – pulling down and under the core
towards oneself.
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12
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Repeat step 10.
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13
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Repeat step 11.
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14
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Complete the third
wind of the blue shamash, wrapping it up and over the core.
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15
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While never
letting go of the blue shamash, gather the remaining 3 strings of the
shamash’s group of 4 strings (recall that when the 4 strings were folded
through the garment hole – two groups of 4 strings are made).
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16
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Prepare to make
the first knot of the double knot using the two groups of 4 strings. Holding the shamash’s 4 string group
between the right thumb and index fingers, place the right middle and ring
fingers between the 2 string groups.
Take the 4 strings in the left hand and place them on top of the other
4 strings, taking hold of them with the right thumb and index fingers.
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17
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Now, insert the
left thumb between the right middle and ring fingers and strings going over
them in order to open the “hole” (not shown). Using the left index finger, push the strings being held
by the right thumb and index finger through the hole.
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18
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Use the right
thumb and index finger to take hold of the strings being pushed through by
the left index finger.
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19
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Use the left hand
to pull the left string group to the left and the right hand to pull the
right string group to the right.
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20
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Pull the two
string groups tight – thus creating the first single knot of the desired
double knot.
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21
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Prepare to make
the second knot of the double knot.
Holding the one group of 4 strings between the right thumb and index
fingers, place the right middle and ring fingers between the 2 string
groups. Take the other 4 strings
in the left hand and place them on top of the right-hand 4 strings, taking
hold of them with the right thumb and index fingers. Take hold of the right-hand group
with the left thumb and index finger, and widen the space between the two
groupings using the left index finger.
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22
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Now, use the left
thumb in order to hold open the “hole” (not shown). Using the left index finger, push the strings being held
by the right thumb and index finger through the hole (as in step 17). Use the
right thumb and index finger to take hold of the strings being pushed through
by the left index finger, and pull them through the hole.
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23
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Pull the two
string groups tight – thus creating the second single knot of the desired
double knot.
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24
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The completed
chulya should appear as shown.
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THE COMPLETE TIE
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