Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

How many krichos should be on each of the tzitzis?

As we have learned, there are supposed to be five double knots on each of the tzitzis. Between each of the knots, the tzitzis are wrapped a specific number of times. These wrappings are known as krichos. According to the Shulchon Aruch, the wrapping should be done according to the following pattern: seven wraps between the first two knots, nine between the second and third, eleven between the third and fourth, and thirteen between the fourth and fifth--for a total of forty. Forty corresponds to the numerical value of the name of Hashem (twenty-six) plus the word echad (thirteen) plus one for Hashem, who is One. The Arizal teaches that the number of wrappings should be, consecutively, seven, eight, eleven and thirteen--for a total of thirty-nine. A third view maintains that there should be a total of twenty-six krichos, following the numerical values of the letters of the name of Hashem: ten, five, six and five.

[שו"ע יא, יד, ומשנ"ב ע; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 82]

How should the tzitzis be situated on the corner of the garment?

The tzitzis should be draped over the corner of the garment. This means that instead of flowing straight down towards the ground, the threads should loop toward the side of the garment and from there drape downward. If they are situated incorrectly, they should be moved. It is not necessary to untie the tzitzis and retie them in the proper spot. A tallis is kosher b’dieved, regardless of their placement. One should be careful that the tzitzis do not fall diagonally to the corner of the garment, since this was the way of the Karaites.

[שו"ע יא, טו, משנ"ב עב ו־עג, וביה"ל ד"ה לאורך; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 85-84]

Can another material be added to the corner of the garment?

Some Rishonim rule that one should be careful not to place any cloth on the corners or in the holes aside from the tzitzis strings. There are two reasons for this stringency: 1) The tzitzis should be placed directly on the corner and not on something else attached to the corner, and 2) the tzitzis strings should be made from the same material as the corner. Adding a new material would interfere with these requirements. Other Rishonim maintain that other materials may be added if their purpose is to strengthen the garment. The added material would then become a part of the garment. The custom follows this view.

[שו"ע יא, טו, משנ"ב עד ו־עה, וביה"ל ד"ה שאין]

The Torah describes the tzitzis strings as gedilim. Chazal understand this to mean that the tzitzis on each corner should be made from four strings. The word g’dil (twine), by definition, refers to two strings that are spun together. Since the Torah writes g’dil in the plural—gedilim--there should be a total of four strings.

Min haTorah, the method of making tzitzis is as follows: The strings are tied to the garment with a double knot. Then the longest string is wrapped around the other seven strings three times and they are tied together with a double knot. Mid’rabonon, additional knots and krichos (wrappings) are necessary. In total, there should be five sets of double knots.

Cutting the stones for the mizbeyach with a steel blade is prohibited min haTorah. Based on this concept, some are stringent about not cutting their tzitzis strings with a knife.

Can the tzitzis strings be severed and still be kosher?

How much of the tzitzis must remain for them to be kosher?

Can a ripped string be kashered?

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.