Can you purchase the techelet dye from a gentile? Can you purchase tzitzit that have been dyed with techelet by them, is that valid?
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Since tzitzit must be made lishmah, then we cannot use tzitzit made by a nonJew. I do not know about the techeilet.– sabbahillelAug 4, 2021 at 22:04
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@sabba tekhelet must be dyed lishmah, as it says in my answer below– Double AA ♦Aug 5, 2021 at 0:01
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1@DoubleAA I had read the question as asking if the dye itself had to be made lishmah. That is why I phrased my comment that way.– sabbahillelAug 5, 2021 at 0:52
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1 Answer
התכלת אינה נלקחת, אלא מן המומחה--חוששין, שמא לא נצבעה לשמה.
Tekhelet may not be purchased but from an expert, for we are concerned lest it not have been dyed for the sake of [the commandment]. (my translation)
Whether or not a gentile who makes an item for the sake of a commandment with a Jew standing there telling him to do so counts is a dispute between Rambam and Rosh (OC 11:2 etc.) though many later authorities advise being strict.
המפקיד תכלת אצל הגוי--הרי זו פסולה, שמא החליפה. ואם הייתה בכלי, והיה חתום בשני חותמות, חותם בתוך חותם--כשרה; בחותם אחד, פסולה.
One who deposits Tekhelet with a gentile -- it is invalid, lest he exchanged it [for a cheaper fake]. And if it was in a vessel sealed with two seal, one seal within the other seal, it is valid. With one seal, it is invalid. (my translation)
If buying Tekhelet from a gentile you would need careful supervision and packaging to ensure nothing has been tampered with.
answered Aug 4, 2021 at 20:58
