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Tzitzit: Difference between revisions
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== Size Requirements == | == Size Requirements == | ||
#There are various opinions<ref>This range emanates from the Gemara Menachot 40b | #There are various opinions<ref>This range emanates from the Gemara Menachot 40b, where it is dictated that the garment needs to be the size for it to be able to cover the head and majority of a minor. There are different interpretations as to how old the minor is to whom the gemara is referring: 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. There is additionally ambiguity as to whether the majority requirement means that the garment needs to cover the head and then in addition a majority of the child’s body (Radbaz) or if it only needs to cover in total the majority of the child; head included ([[Chinuch]]). Meaning, the question between the Radbaz and Chinuch is whether it would be sufficient if it could cover the child’s head and another 30% to 40% of the rest of it's body, or whether it needs to be able to cover the head and an additional 51% of their body</ref> as to how big the garment needs to be to qualify as a halachically bona fide garment, in order to be able to make a bracha without needing to worry about the possibility of it being a bracha levatala (a bracha said in vein or wasted): | ||
#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. | 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> | ||
#Additionally, there is a dispute | 1.5 [[amot]] by 1 [[amah]]<ref>Chazon Ish 3:31; Rav Pe’alim 2:6; Mishna berura 16:4;</ref> | ||
* Amongst the disputes | 1.5 [[amot]] by 1.5 [[amot]]<ref>Lev Chaim 1:99; </ref> | ||
* He offers two proofs from logic. First, if we take the Mishna Brurah’s logic to its extreme, we | 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 3:31 concludes that it is best to follow this size requirement. Likewise, the Mishna Brurah (8:17, 16:4) suggests this size to avoid difference of opinions.</ref> | ||
There is also 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 make up an [[amah]], while the Chazon Ish holds it is 57.7 cm or 22.7 inches. | |||
#Additionally, there is a dispute about whether the dimensions include or exclude the center hole within the garment for one’s head and neck. The Mishna Brurah <ref>8:17, 16:4</ref> does not include the neck hole in the measurement, while the Chazon Ish <ref>3:30. | |||
* Amongst the disputes on how big the Tallit Katan needs to be in order to have fulfilled one's obligation in Tzitzit, there is a question regarding the neck hole. The Mishna Brurah (8:17 and 16:4) assumes that the neck hole in the middle of the Tallit Katan does not count towards the minimum required measure. On the other hand, the Chazon Ish (O.C. 3:30) argues that as long as the combined width of the shoulders is greater than the width of the neck hole, the hole is counted towards the required measure (Omed Merubah Al HaParutz). | |||
* He offers two proofs from logic. First, if we take the Mishna Brurah’s logic to its extreme, we cannot count any minute hole. Additionally, he says if the hole does not count, then it should serve as an interruption in the cloth, simply because the cloth does not have the required measure in any unified place. The Eshel Avraham (16 s.v. Odot) agrees and infers this from the simple language of the poskim who gave measurement without specifying this distinction.</ref> does. | |||
# Halacha Le'Maaseh: | # Halacha Le'Maaseh: | ||
## Sephardim: | ## Sephardim: One has fulfilled the mitzvah BUT cannot make a bracha on it when wearing Tzitzit measuring 1.5 [[amot]] by 1 [[amah]]. It would be preferable if this shiur did not include a neck hole, but if it does and it is difficult to find a tzitzit that size or they are uncomfortable to wear, one may rely on the opinions that say the neck hole is included. In this case, one should make a bracha on a Tallit Gadol and patur (exempt) the Tallit Katan by doing so. In order to make a bracha on a Tallit Katan, it should measure 2 [[amot]] (37.8") by 1 [[amah]] (18.9")<ref>Yalkut Yosef 16:1, Halacha Berurah 1, 16:1; and See “Tzel Heharim” by R’ Hertzel Hillel Yitzhak, pp. 8-11.</ref>. | ||
## Ashkenazim: | ## Ashkenazim: In order to follow the Mishna Brurah, one should wear Tzitzit that are 1.5 [[amot]] (in length) by 0.5 [[amah]] (in width) not including the neck hole. <ref> Mishna Brurah 8:17, 16:4 </ref> Accordingly, one can wear Tzitzit that are 32 by 16 inches not including the neck hole. <ref> Rabbi Neustadt, author of [[Daily Halacha]] Discussions, writes that using Rav Moshe's (Sh"t Igrot Moshe 1:136) standard of measuring the [[amah]] which is 21.3 inches per [[amah]] one ends up with 32 inches by 16 inches. http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5765/pekudei.html. Rabbi Willing is lenient to allow 26 inches in length ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/729840/Rabbi_Zvi_Sobolofsky/Hilchas_Tzitzis_Part_2_(definition_of_a_cornder,_size_of_beget,_straps,_brecha_on_borrowed_tzitzis) Rabbi Sobolofsky] (min 14) in name of Rabbi Willig) </ref> | ||
# | # The garment with four corners needs to be open at least a majority of the way up. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 10:7 </ref> If there is a button less than half way up but the majority is still open, it is still obligated in Tzitzit. <ref> Halacha Berura 10:20 </ref> | ||
=== Shoulder | === Shoulder Straps and Sleeves=== | ||
# The cloth | # The cloth going over one's shoulders may not be thin strips but rather must be at least as wide as 3 [[Etzba’ot]]. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 16:1 and 16:4 writes that the cloth that goes over one's shoulders may not be thin stripes but rather should be wide enough to be recognizable as clothing. The Eshel Avraham and Kaf HaChaim 16:4 hold that it should be at least 3 [[Etzba’ot]] wide. </ref> | ||
# | # It is better not to have sleeves on Tzitzit. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 16:4 </ref> | ||
==Color Requirements== | ==Color Requirements== | ||
# Some say that the strings of the talit should be the same color as the talit itself and the custom is to do so. However, Ashkenazim do not have this custom and wear white strings on their talit in all cases. <ref> Shulchan Aruch OC 9:5 and the Rama </ref> | # Some say that the strings of the talit should be the same color as the talit itself and the custom is to do so. However, Ashkenazim do not have this custom and wear white strings on their talit in all cases. <ref> Shulchan Aruch OC 9:5 and the Rama </ref> | ||
