Q. I have two questions in regards to using a blue techeiles thread in one's tzitzis.
1) Is it recommended or permitted for one who doesn't have that minhag in his family to start wearing tzitzis with a string of techeiles?
A. Teshuvos Vehanhogos (O.H. 1: 26) writes that the Radziner Rebbe discovered what he considered to be authentic techeiles. However, the rest of the Gedolim of his generation did not agree with him.
He adds that other new sources of techeiles were found, creating even more doubt as to the veracity of the claim.
He argues that the techeiles corresponded more to the past days when the presence of the Shechina was evident, the blue techeiles indeed reflected the color of Heaven. In the days of the Tanaim they still merited to see that reflection and that is why it was accepted by all. Not so in our spiritually obscure and dark times, until it is revealed soon again in the days of Moshiach. He quotes other sources that maintain, that the Arizal would also not wear it. (Yeshuos Malko O.H. 1-3)
He further asserts that one using it may transgress on the prohibition of "Lo Sissgodedu" or creating division and separation in the community.
Nevertheless, some authorities do wear it. Orchois Rabbenu (1: p. 248) quotes that Horav Itzele MiPonovich zt'l and Maharsham would use it. There are pictures that at least one of the many taaleisim that Horav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg zt'l wore had techeiles. It is also quoted Horav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg Shlit'a, wears techeiles, just to mention some.
Although there is much controversy in our days over the research done on techeiles and what is the correct source, the great majority of contemporary Poskim and communities have not accepted the results as conclusive and avoid using it.
In Maayanei Shlomo (O.H. 1-3) Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a presents evidence that the techeiles available today cannot be real and is only the imitation k'lo ilan or indigo mentioned in Talmud.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
