In Zechariah 8:23, a powerful prophecy unfolds: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the hem of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” This vision resonates deeply with those who cherish the Torah, keep the Sabbath, and perhaps even wear tzitzit today, yearning for God’s truth. You might assume it’s non-tzitzit wearers grasping the hem, but here’s the twist: many wearing tzitzit, devoted to God’s commands, may still be among those grasping, because they’re not Jewish. Mind blown? This raises questions: How am I not already part of that covenant? Why wait to learn from God’s covenant people later when you can start now? Let’s look at how this could be and discover how to, “cross the border” properly, rather than assume you’re already Israel.

Around 520 BCE, Zechariah spoke to a Jewish people rebuilding after the Babylonian exile. Jerusalem’s ruins mirrored their hardships, yet God promised restoration, making Israel a beacon for the nations. The “Jew” in this prophecy, from the Hebrew Yehudi, refers to ethnic descendants of Judah, (key point) no matter their personal level of observance, bearers of God’s covenant with Abraham. The “hem,” or kanaph, the garment’s edge, likely adorned with tzitzit (Numbers 15:38-39), symbolizes this covenant identity. These fringes mark Israel as God’s chosen, a visible sign of His holiness, tied to Hashem’s promise, not the individual’s piety. The prophecy envisions nations, seeing God’s presence with Israel, seeking to learn from them. Many from the nations, even wearing tzitzit to honor Hashem and the Torah, may still end up grasping the kanaph of a Jew, recognizing their unique covenant role.

Why does God remain with His covenant people? His promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, to bless all nations through his seed, anchors Israel’s role. Despite exile and trials, Hashem’s faithfulness endures, seen in the deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 6:6-7) and the regathering of exiles (Deuteronomy 30:3-5). The Jewish people, as ethnic heirs, embody this covenant, their survival testifying to Hashem’s unbreakable word, and not their “personal righteousness”. They are a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6), drawing others to the God who keeps His promises.

For those wearing tzitzit and keeping Torah, this prophecy challenges self-identification. Many believers separate themselves from the Jewish people, saying, “I follow God, not the religion of the Jews.” For example, some declare, “I wear tzitzit because it’s God’s command, not a Jewish tradition,” distancing themselves from Judaism. Others assert, “I’m grafted into Israel through faith,” citing Romans 11:17-24, yet overlook the Jewish people’s distinct role, rooted in Hashem’s promise. Another might say, “I’m of the lost tribes, so I’m already Israel,” without evidence or legal conversion. This is like crossing into America without a visa and expecting citizenship. Declaring oneself Israel doesn’t grant covenantal status, just as sneaking across a border doesn’t make one American.

This separation explains why even tzitzit-wearing believers may say, “Take us with you.” They’ll recognize Hashem’s presence with the Jewish people, whose covenant role, upheld by His promise, remains unique. For instance, a believer might insist, “I follow the God of Israel, not man-made Jewish religion,” dismissing the Jewish role as covenant bearers. Another, studying Torah, might claim, “My tzitzit prove I’m Israel,” without undergoing giyur, the legal conversion process. This mirrors claiming citizenship without a passport. The Torah welcomes ger (sojourners) to worship God alone (Leviticus 19:34), but giyur, like Ruth’s journey (Ruth 1:16), requires formal commitment, akin to legal immigration.

Don’t wait to grasp the hem later? Start learning now. Engage with the Jewish people, study their covenantal role, rooted in Hashem’s promise. Even if you wear tzitzit, the prophecy may position you among the nations grasping the kanaph, not as the “Jew” whose hem is grasped. If you feel called to fully join, explore the people’s path to “cross the border” rightly. Attending synagogue and/or wearing tzitzit doesn’t make you Israel, just as living in America doesn’t grant citizenship without proper declaration and documentation. The Jewish people’s preservation through persecution testifies to Hashem’s faithfulness, compelling the nations, even tzitzit wearers, to seek them. Grasp the kanaph now by learning from Israel directly, and if called, pursue giyur. Will you wait to say, “God is with you,” or start learning today?

Author: Victor Schultz