Rashi comments that, even after Klal Yisrael has been exiled, they should distinguish themselves through the performance of mitzvos. For example: put on Tefillin; make mezuzos, so that, when we ultimately return from exile, these mitzvos (and others) should not be new to us. Throughout our tumultuous journey in exile, we have confronted oppression and degradation with pride in the practice of mitzvos. Our perseverance and fidelity to Hashem have provided continuity, identity and a connection to the traditions that prevailed in various Jewish communities. We distinguished ourselves through our religious values which we maintained regardless of the challenging circumstances which we confronted. Furthermore, mitzvah performance has served as a form of resistance against our oppressors, asserting our dignity and autonomy. They can hurt us, but they cannot – and will not – break us. Thus, amidst the adversity which has often been our companion, our commitment to mitzvos has become a powerful symbol of our perseverance and faith.
An incident took place during the Holocaust which inspired an interesting halachic query. The incident, in and of itself, is an indication of the greatness of our people – the question adds to it. A Jew had occasion to walk into a factory that processed raw wool. He saw a pile of wool strands that were being prepared to be used as thread for the Nazi uniforms. The Jew looked around, saw that the coast was clear, and helped himself to some of the wool. He returned to his barracks where he was interred in the camp. After a long day of slave labor, he would sit down at night, ignore his weary bones and attempt to convert the wool into makeshift Tzitzis manually. He twisted and wound the wool until he had successfully made what, with a little imagination, would be considered kosher Tzitzis. He now needed a four-cornered garment to which he could attach his precious Tzitzis. After days of searching, he found an old, discarded, towel, in which he cut a hole, and voila! He now had a Tallis kattan.
Word spread in the camp, and our hero lent his Tzitzis to whomever wanted to make a brachah and fulfill a mitzvah of the Torah. Soon, one thousand Jews were making brachos on these Tzitziyos. The man was able to keep this Tallis kattan for the duration of his internment. Following his liberation, he was vexed by the question concerning what he should do regarding the mitzvah of Tzitzis. He was now able to purchase a brand-new pair. He was, however, emotionally attached to his four-cornered towel with the makeshift Tzitzis. On the one hand, we have the directive of zeh Keili V’Anvehu, one must beautify mitzvos. Certainly, a brand-new pair of Tzitzis would be more beautiful than his towel. On the other hand, this Tallis kattan’s Tzitzis were spun with tears and nurtured with mesiras nefesh. Which takes precedence? When the question was presented to Horav Chaim Kanievsky, zl, he replied that beautifying a mitzvah was a halachah, thus it should prevail. The man who made this Tallis kattan, however, was allowed to wear it. To him, nothing was more beautiful than this Tallis kattan
