What is “Biblical Blue” and why would a piece of jewelry or even a bookmark in that rare color be considered precious?
In the Bible (Book of Numbers 15:37-40), the Lord speaks to Moses as follows:
“Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them that they shall make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations, and they shall affix a thread of sky blue on the fringe of each corner. This shall be fringes for you, and when you see it, you will remember all the commandments of the Lord to perform them, and you shall not wander after your hearts and after your eyes after which you are going astray. So that you shall remember and perform all My commandments and you shall be holy to your God.”
In ancient Israel, the Children of Israel wore fringes of authentic biblical blue – in Hebrew, Techelet – on the corner of their garments. The color, mentioned numerous times in the Bible, was also critical for ritual use in the Holy Temple.
The significance of this unique color, the sages explain, is that it is similar to the color of the sky, which in turn calls to consciousness the existence of God and his lasting presence in our lives.
According to the Talmud, the source of this unique blue color is a marine creature referred to as hilazon, which is the modern-Hebrew word for “snail.” The Talmud also mentions a counterfeit dye for a plant that provided a common, blue-colored coloring agent thousands of years ago. Jewish law absolutely forbids the intentional use of a simulated dye.
For nearly 1,500 years, in the aftermath of the Roman exile, scholars and experts who possessed the hidden knowledge necessary to produce the real biblical blue no longer existed. However, thanks to modern science, archaeological discoveries and biblical research, these secrets have been revealed. This, as well as other phenomenal events, such as the return of the Jewish nation to its native homeland, according to Jewish writings, is a sign that the End Times are near.
In these miraculous days, it is now possible to own a treasured piece of material in biblical blue. The Biblical Blue website offers information on a wide selection of beautiful, affordable items that also provide spiritual motivation. Ranging from lovely jewelry to books and bookmarks, these exclusive items from the Holy Land would be cherished forever.
The Rarest Blue, a book written by Baruch Sterman and Judy Taubes Sterman, discusses the fascinating phenomenon of the mysterious biblical blue. The authors are the premier experts on the subject, and this exciting book is one of several inspirational items described on theBiblical Blue site. For more information, visit www.biblical-blue.com.
Author: United with Israel staff
Date: Dec. 5, 2013