LEARNING ABOUT TAGIN

In the second step when you learned three different Hebrew fonts, I identified one as “Ktav Ashuret”. I explained that this was a calligraphy font, used on Torah scrolls, Megillot(1) and other parchment stored in a Tefillin box or a Mezuzah.

Notice that this font uses what is called a Tag () or Tagin(2) () plural (sounds like tahg, tahgin), which are in virtually all traditions a Zayin or “Dagger” which is used to decorate some of the letters. In Jewish teaching each tag has a spiritual meaning.

There are SEVEN letters that use THREE tags. Out of these seven letters, two of them are also decorated in their sofit forms in many traditions.

These letters are (shown right to left in the Hebrew font)

Shin, Ayin, Tet, Nun, Zayin, Gimmel, Tsade


The Nun and the Tsade sofit letter forms are also decorated

The rabbis teach that these letters are bent over and laying down in this life and straightened and standing in the world to come.

There are also SIX letters that are decorated using only ONE tag on each letter. These are (shown right to left in the Hebrew font)

Bet, Dalet, Qof, Chet, Yod, Hey

Acronyms

Tagin were taught using acronyms to make them easy to remember.
The first acronym was “SH`ATNeZ-GeTz"

“SH`ATNeZ-GeTz" (sounds like:sha-ot-nez getz)

Shin, Ayin, Tet, Nun, Zayin, Gimmel, Tsade

The first part () is made up of three Hebrew words used as an acrostic (Combining , Spinning and Twisting ). The Hebrew word voweled as Ša'atnez means "mixture". As for , the best I can find so far for meaning is from the use of [rah-"getz"] meaning "pieces" or "parts". However visually we can see a Nun sofit in many places being planted and a Tsade sofit being the tree that sprouts (or "God Redeemer") in Gimmel-Tsade sofit. This will be the tree/shoot () coming out of the root of David(3) (also messiah in the resurection).

There is a famous place in scripture where all of these Tagin come together in one single place in Torah. Also, this place is actually teaching shatnez. While this is mentioned in the Law three times, it is also seen in use where rabbis teach a halachah from Deuteronomy 22:11(4). The teaching is on Garments that might contain "shatnez" which include different fabrics and threads used for joining linings, inner linings and stiffenings.

What I see from this is the scripture (Deuteronomy 22:11) that shatnez () is wool and linen spun together and then the Getz () is used as acronyms for two different Hebrew words.

In verse 11 and shown above (wool) and in verse 12 we find shown above as (plural for fringes).

In Numbers 15:38-40 we find a mitsvah about these fringes and a reason for them. It was so that after they fall away they can LOOK and REMEMBER. So that they can seek not after their own heart and own eyes and finally keep all of His commandments. The greatest commandment (love) and be woven together both Jews and Gentiles in the future. These wool and linen fringes are an exception to the rule.

"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of messiah; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3)

The following SIX letters were also taught as an acronym:

"BeDeQ-KhaYaH" (ba,da,koo)-(chi,yah) Bet, Dalet, Qof, Chet, Yod, Hey.

This acronym is made up from two Hebrew words

Seeing both meanings from the Hebrew root: , (bedeq) denotes opening or making a gap (badaq) in order to mend. The second word () revives, refreshes and restores life.

All of these letters can be found in different fonts and forms, depending on teachings from different traditions.

I explain more and show many of these different fonts, in another book: 9 Steps to “Understanding” Ancient Hebrew.

However, I will point out one of special significance now since it has to do with the forming of the letter Chet.

The Chet(5), is made up from a Vav and a Zayin.

In some traditions these can be seen drawn as two Zayin, and in others as a Vav and a Zayin (as well as some other differing forms).

Either way, the rabbinic teaching will be the same. There are two figures in Chet and they are under a wedding tent. This is seen in the presence of the chatoteret(6) (chuppah).

The crowned figure (Zayin) is the same as the Vav (also equal) seeing that the Zayin has used or imparted two of it's Tagin to make the bridge.

This letter root from Chet means new life and the letters making up Chet are two men coming together, to make one new man and bring peace.

For now lets learn this step well and learn these letter forms.
It might be a good idea to learn these forms with the acronyms, since they already seem to be in the fabric of God's design.

I have added Tagin Flashcards to the Flashcard Kit to help you with these.

After you learn these well, hurry back for the next step.

References (click the back arrow on your browser to go back to your reading)

1. Megillot plural (Megillah singular) for writings (scroll) or long story (five books): Ruth, Esther, Songs, Ecclesiastes and Lamentations
2. Also Taggin
3. Isaiah 11:1
4. Also Leviticus 19:19
5. Some dialects called Heth
6. A "canopy" or "covering", also huppah, chipe, chupah, or chuppa. This is a canopy that a Jewish couple stands under during the wedding ceremony.