The Chilazon according to our sages was the source of the blue Tekhelet dye needed for the commandment of Tzitzit. Rabbi Herzog’s initial assumption was that the Murex Trunculus mollusc is the Chilazon. According to Baruch Sterman a new correspondence of Rabbi Herzog with a leading chemist in German, shows that Rabbi Herzog did not stick with his initial assumption because the chemist told him it was impossible to get a blue dye out of the Murex Trunculus mollusc.
Dr Baruch Sterman contends only recently have we found ways to get blue Tekhelet dye from Murex Trunculus. If Rabbi Herzog had known this information (as well as other discoveries in favor of the Murex Trunculus) he too, would have stuck to his initial assumption that Murex Trunculus is the Chilazon.
Dr Baruch Sterman contends only recently have we found ways to get blue Tekhelet dye from Murex Trunculus. If Rabbi Herzog had known this information (as well as other discoveries in favor of the Murex Trunculus) he too, would have stuck to his initial assumption that Murex Trunculus is the Chilazon.