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Tzitzit: Difference between revisions
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==Material Requirements== | ==Material Requirements== | ||
#Sephardim generally follow the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch<ref>9:1. This is based off of Rav Nachman in Gemara Menachot 39b and is purported by the Rif and Rambam</ref> that only garments made of wool or linen have a torah obligation to be affixed with tzitzit strands. Accordingly, all other materials only require tzitzit on a rabbinic level. As such, it is preferable for one to wear a wool or linen garment. Nevertheless, it one finds it uncomfortable to wear wool tzitzit, he may wear tzitzit made from other materials.<ref>Rav Ben Zion Abba Shaul in Ohr LeZion 9:1; Rav Ovadya Yosef in Yalkut Yosef 9:1</ref> | #Sephardim generally follow the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch<ref>9:1. This is based off of Rav Nachman in Gemara Menachot 39b and is purported by the Rif and Rambam</ref> that only garments made of wool or linen have a torah obligation to be affixed with tzitzit strands. Accordingly, all other materials only require tzitzit on a rabbinic level. As such, it is preferable for one to wear a wool or linen garment. Nevertheless, it one finds it uncomfortable to wear wool tzitzit, he may wear tzitzit made from other materials.<ref>Rav Ben Zion Abba Shaul in Ohr LeZion 9:1; Rav Ovadya Yosef in Yalkut Yosef 9:1</ref> | ||
#Ashkenazim rely on the Rema who holds that all materials are included in the Torah obligation.<ref>This is based off of Rava in Gemara Menachot 39b</ref> Nevertheless, some maintain that one still should wear wool and linen garments in order to satisfy all opinions.<ref>Mishna Berura 9:5</ref> | #Ashkenazim rely on the Rema who holds that all materials are included in the Torah obligation.<ref>This is based off of Rava in Gemara Menachot 39b</ref> Nevertheless, some maintain that one still should wear wool and linen garments in order to satisfy all opinions.<ref>Mishna Berura 9:5</ref> On the other hand, many poskim are lenient if wearing wool would cause any discomfort, especially in the heat.<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igres Moshe 2:1; Similarly, The Vilna Gaon (Maaseh Rav Birchot HaShachar, 17) and the Chazon Ish (Shoneh Halachot 9:1) wore non-wool garments for their tzitzit</ref> | ||
#Although the Shulchan Aruch includes linen as a biblically mandated material, he also cites<ref>9:6; Also Kaf HaChaim 9:16. This opinion stems from Rabbenu Tam in Gemara Shabbat 25b</ref> an opinion that we should not use it. He concludes that although the halacha is not like this opinion, it is preferable to avoid the argument and only use wool. However, if one only has a linen garment for his tzitzit, they may be used with a bracha.<ref>Rema and Mishna Berura ad loc. This opinion comes from Teshuvot HaRosh 2:8</ref> | #Although the Shulchan Aruch includes linen as a biblically mandated material, he also cites<ref>9:6; Also Kaf HaChaim 9:16. This opinion stems from Rabbenu Tam in Gemara Shabbat 25b</ref> an opinion that we should not use it. He concludes that although the halacha is not like this opinion, it is preferable to avoid the argument and only use wool. However, if one only has a linen garment for his tzitzit, they may be used with a bracha.<ref>Rema and Mishna Berura ad loc. This opinion comes from Teshuvot HaRosh 2:8</ref> | ||
#Leather garments are exempt from the obligation of tzitzit, even on a rabbinic level.<ref>Gemara Menachot 40b. Shulchan Aruch 10:4</ref> | #Leather garments are exempt from the obligation of tzitzit, even on a rabbinic level.<ref>Gemara Menachot 40b. Shulchan Aruch 10:4</ref> | ||
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== Size Requirements == | == Size Requirements == | ||
#There are various opinions<ref>This range emanates from the Gemara Menachot 40b dictate that the garment needs to be the size that it would cover the head and majority of a minor. First off, there are different interpretations as to how old this minor is: The Chinuch (Shelach: 386) and Bach (16) say the reference is to a 6 or 7 year old, the Tur (16) says 9 years old, and the Radbaz (6, 2:106) explains it to be a 5 year old. Second of all, there is ambiguity if the majority requirement means that the garment needs to cover the head and then in addition a majority of the kid’s body (Radbaz) or if it only needs to cover in total a majority of the kid with the head included (Chinuch). Meaning, it would be sufficient to cover the kid’s head and another 30 or 40% of his body, as opposed to 51%</ref> as to how big the garment needs to be to qualify as a halachically bona fide garment, so that one could make a bracha on them without worrying if it is a bracha levatala (in | #There are various opinions<ref>This range emanates from the Gemara Menachot 40b dictate that the garment needs to be the size that it would cover the head and majority of a minor. First off, there are different interpretations as to how old this minor is: The Chinuch (Shelach: 386) and Bach (16) say the reference is to a 6 or 7 year old, the Tur (16) says 9 years old, and the Radbaz (6, 2:106) explains it to be a 5 year old. Second of all, there is ambiguity if the majority requirement means that the garment needs to cover the head and then in addition a majority of the kid’s body (Radbaz) or if it only needs to cover in total a majority of the kid with the head included (Chinuch). Meaning, it would be sufficient to cover the kid’s head and another 30 or 40% of his body, as opposed to 51%</ref> as to how big the garment needs to be to qualify as a halachically bona fide garment, so that one could make a bracha on them without worrying if it is a bracha levatala (in vain or wasted blessing): 1 amah by 1 amah<ref>Pri HaAretz 1; Beit David 8; Shalmei Tzibur 26b; Pri Ha’Adoma 23a; Nachal Eshkol pg. 102:4 ; Ha’Elef Lecha Shelomo 1:4.</ref>, 1.5 amot by 1 amah<ref>Chazon Ish 3:31; Rav Pe’alim 2:6; Mishna berura 16:4;</ref> , 1.5 amot by 1.5 amot<ref>Lev Chaim 1:99; </ref>, 2 amot by 1 amah<ref>Siddur of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and The Tanya. Similarly, the Gra, without specific numbers, was very strict in this regard and required the garment extend down to one’s knees. Also, the Chazon Ish (ibid) concludes that it is best to follow this size requirement. Likewise, the Mishna Berura (8:17, 16:4) suggests this size to avoid difference of opinions.</ref>, and finally there is even an opinion that there is no size requirement at all.<ref>Aruch HaShulchan 16:5</ref> | ||
#Additionally, there are two different opinions for the conversion of one amah, or 6 tefachim (fists), to modern measurements: Rav Chaim Na’eh holds it is 48 cm or 18.9 inches, while the Chazon Ish holds it is 57.7 cm or 22.7 inches. | #Additionally, there are two different opinions for the conversion of one amah, or 6 tefachim (fists), to modern measurements: Rav Chaim Na’eh holds it is 48 cm or 18.9 inches, while the Chazon Ish holds it is 57.7 cm or 22.7 inches. | ||
#Additionally, there is a dispute if the dimensions include or exclude the center hole for one’s head and neck. The Mishna Berura <ref>8:17, 16:4</ref> doesn’t include the neck hole in the measurement, while the Chazon Ish <ref>3:30</ref> does. | #Additionally, there is a dispute if the dimensions include or exclude the center hole for one’s head and neck. The Mishna Berura <ref>8:17, 16:4</ref> doesn’t include the neck hole in the measurement, while the Chazon Ish <ref>3:30</ref> does. | ||
