Talit and tzitzit (undershawl, i.e., Arba K^әnaphot) must include a p^әtil′  t^әkheil′ ët tied according to Nosakh Teimani.

The G^әmârâ informs us that the t^әkheilët dye comes from a bodily fluid [lit: blood] of the khi·laz·on′  (Masëkët M^әnâkhot 44a, Masekhtot Q^әtanot Masekhet Tzitzit Ch. 1 Halâkhâh 10, Tosëphtâ Menakhot 9:16.)

There are two conflicting schools of contemporary thought on the kâsheir source for t^әkheilët – plus a third alternative, though the last isn't rabbinically kâsheir:

1. Sepia officinalis: The G^әmârâ speaks of red flesh-like warts, forming a snake-like shape in the eye (B^әrâkhot 38a-b). This description cannot fit the Murex trunculus; it can only describe the cuttlefish.

   Those who advocate the cuttlefish dye call it "Radzyn T^әkheil′ ët" or T^әkheil′ ët of the "Radzyner Rebbi" or "Razyner Rebbe." However, they must be corrected.

   1. First, it's cuttlefish T^әkheil′ ët. Don't accede to being categorized as a tal·mid′  of the "Radzyner Rebbi" or "Razyner Rebbe."
   2. Second, when they claim that dyeing only a portion of the p^әtil t^әkheil′ ët is the "Rambam style" that is anachronistic. It was also the Tei·mân·im′  style—and the Tei·mân·im′  have been around since B.C.E. 975… quite a bit before Rambam!!! Judaism is middle-eastern, not European! It's the Tei·mân·im′  style, which the N^әtzâr·im′  adopted.

   So, what you want, after whatever explanation is required, is three things: [1] cuttlefish T^әkheil′ ët, [2] dyed and [3] tied according to the Tei·mân·im′  = N^әtzâr·im′  style.

   Update 2008.04.11: Upon inquiring of the only outlet for this dye ("Beged Ivri"), however, vexing questions emerged. This is best illustrated by simply publishing my inquiry and response with Reuven Prager, who, alone, is "Beged Ivri," in Y^әrushâlayim

   The common variety of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis, photo right) is native to the Mediterranean. There is also a Red Sea cuttlefish and this photo—Sepia pharaonis, by permission of www.sergeyphoto.com—better reflects the ancient descriptions.

   
   
   
2. Murex trunculus: (Prices start at $70/set. To order, click on sea snails at right. Tell them Pâqid Yirm^әyâhu of the N^әtzârim in Ra'anana referred you.)
   
   
3. Indigofera tinctoria (kela ilan): Although not accepted by modern rabbis, the Biblical mitzwâh (Torâh shë-bikhtâv) is to include a p^әtil t^әkheilët, not a p^әtil dyed by khi·laz·on′ -dye.

   In fact, archeology has confirmed by chemical analysis of a tzitzit of one of Bar-Kokhvâ's soldiers, under the rabbinic supervision of Rabbi Aqivâ, dyed their tzitzit with Indigofera tinctoria (kela ilan)! What modern rabbi outranks Rabbi Aqivâ???

   While Talmud describes the khi·laz·on′  as the proper source for t^әkheilët dye, that doesn't logically preclude other dye sources—such as "kela ilan" (Indigofera tinctoria). The rabbis have illogically (read invalidly) inferred this from the Talmudic prohibition against selling Indigofera tinctoria-dyed materials at khi·laz·on′ -dye prices. Such rip-offs are clearly prohibited by Torâh. There is no prohibition against producing, selling, buying or wearing Indigofera tinctoria-dyed materials as long as they aren't misrepresented as khi·laz·on′ -dyed materials or prices.

For tying the tzitzit, however, only www.tekhelet.com shows the proper way to tie tzitzit according to Nosakh Tei·mân′  (specify "Rambam"). Your size is your shoulder width. Remember to tell them the N^әtzârim referred you.

We recommend that you obtain in advance, at any kâsheir Judaica site or store, matching blue velveteen bags to protect your talit and t^әphilin.

Due to the expense of overseas shipping, we recommend that you purchase these items locally where practical.

Kipah: approx. 13.5mm/5.25'' diam. knitted, white with blue, black, and/or red/maroon border - similar, but not identical, to photo ($12.50)	Kipah: approx. 13.5mm/5.25'' diam. knitted, white with brown, green and/or yellow border - similar, but not identical, to photo ($12.50)
Kipot, both ($19.50)
Special: clips for kipah — 2 clips for $1.00 with any Kipah order

T^әphilin Teimâni containing Q^әlâphim handwritten according to Halakhah by sopheir sta"m. (We are presently unable to obtain t^әphilin that incorporate the Aseret ha-Dibrot — the Kasheir standard of the 1^st century according to Qumran, Ribi Y^әhoshua and Rabbi Aqiva.)

Daq (thin) model features larger boxes – 33mm (1 & 5/8") per side – necessary to accomodate the larger scroll that incorporates the Aseret ha-Dibrot, whenever that becomes available again. High quality and durable. Proof-read by computer. Sold to recognized Jews and N^әtzarim geirim only.

Due to the expense of overseas shipping, we recommend that you purchase these items locally where practical.