What adjectives come to mind when someone says “Israeli?” The classic description of a native-born Israelis is a “sabras.” It’s the name of a fruit that grows in Israel, with sharp, prickly thorns on the outside, but soft and sweet inside. Some might say that Israelis are like that too - rough on the outside, but soft and kind within.

In truth, the description could apply not only to Israelis but to Jews in general. As is often said, it is the best club in the world, but on the other hand, we are the nation that coined the word “chutzpah.”

This week’s Torah portion teaches about the mitzvah of tzitzit, the fringes that are attached to a four-cornered garment. Unlike most mitzvot, G-d tells us why to wear tzitzit. The third paragraph of the Shema tells us that “you will see them and remember all of G-d’s commandments.” The idea is that when we see the tzitzit, we are reminded of all the mitzvot.

The most well-known explanation of how tzitzit are a reminder of all the mitzvot is that the numerical value (gematria) of the word tzitzit equals 600. If you add the eight strings and five knots of the tzitzit, you get 613, which of course corresponds to the 613 mitzvot.

Another interpretation is that the word tzitzit is related to the Hebrew phrase “metzitz min hacharakim,” which refers to G-d watching over us, “peeking through the cracks,” so to speak. The tzitzit remind us that G-d is always looking out for us, which naturally makes us think of His commandments.

Both these explanations however, mean that one almost has to be a scholar just to remember the explanation, never mind being reminded of all the mitzvot! The straightforward of the verse “you will see it and remember” suggests that just looking at the tzitzit we should immediately be reminded of all the mitzvot.

Although the word mitzvah is often translated a “good deed” that isn’t the best fit. A baby wouldn’t refer to their brit milah as a good deed, neither would we think eating matzah on Pesach fits that description.

When a person looks at their tzitzit, they see strings. A string’s role is to tie things together, to connect two separate items.

Chassidic philosophy explains that the word mitzvah actually comes from the root tzavta, which means connection or bond. Through a mitzvah, we create a connection between ourselves and the infinite G-d. When a person fulfils a mitzvah, they are linking and bonding G-d with the physical world.

For example, when someone puts up a mezuzah on their doorpost, they are connecting their home to G-d. When a person gives charity, they are connecting their personal finances to G-d.

So mitzvot are like strings that connect the world to G-d. When a Jew sees the strings hanging from their garment, they are reminded of all the mitzvot, whose ultimate purpose is to link and bond G-d with the physical world.

To sew with a string, you need a needle. A needle is sharp, and with its point, it pierces the fabric, allowing the thread to pass through. 

The Rebbe explains that the Jew is like the needle, whose job is to make a “hole” in the fabric of the material world, to create space for the mitzvah to enter. The world, by its nature, isn’t always eager to embrace a mitzvah. So, just like a needle has to be sharp and pointed to get the job done, the Jew has to possess a certain boldness to bring mitzvot into the physical world.

This is why Jews tend to have a bit of “chutzpah” - a sense of boldness or stubbornness - because without it, they wouldn’t be able to introduce mitzvot into everyday life. To live as a Jew in this world, you need a little bit of chutzpah.

A person may be hesitant to put a mezuzah on their office door because they don’t want to draw attention. Employees or colleagues might pass by, ask questions, or even challenge them, and they may feel uncomfortable or unprepared to explain themselves. Instead of dealing with it, they might choose not to put up the mezuzah at all.

Or a Jew attending a party where the food isn’t kosher. They don’t want to eat the non-kosher food, but at the same time, they don’t want to make a scene. So, they might say they’re vegetarian, allergic, on a special diet, or that they just ate before coming.

It is perhaps unsurprising that tzitzit have become a symbol of the current war in Gaza. Thousands of pairs are being made for soldiers, many of them requested by soldiers would not call themselves observant. To survive all the challenges that come with being a Jew, we need a fair amount of chutzpah or a “sabra” personality. We are the needle that threads the Divine into the world. Sometimes we may prick or even hurt ourselves along the way, but without that sharpness, we wouldn’t be able to persevere.