Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Is a brocha recited on a tallis that is tried on for size?

As was previously explained, tzitzis is technically a discretionary mitzvah, since one is not obligated to wear a four-cornered garment. Nonetheless, the Gemara strongly encourages taking on the obligation by wearing a four-cornered garment. Tzitzis are only required if a person wears the garment for the typical purpose of clothing--i.e., protection from the elements. If he is merely trying on the garment for size or modeling it for other people, he is exempt. Even if there are tzitzis already affixed to the garment, a brocha is not recited in this case.

[מנחות מא, א; שו"ע יט, א, ומשנ"ב ה; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 5]

Can one affix his mezuzos before he moves into his home?

Like tzitzis, mezuzah is also only a discretionary mitzvah. One is only obligated if he has a residence. A person who affixed a mezuzah to his doorpost and then moved out of his home for an extended period does not have to reaffix the mezuzah and recite a brocha upon returning home. Some say that a person may affix a mezuzah after moving his possessions into a dwelling place, even if he has not yet moved in.

[משנ"ב יט, ד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 4-3 ,בהרחבה ע"פ המקור]

Why is it forbidden to sell tzitzis to a non-Jew?

It is forbidden to sell a pair of tzitzis to a non-Jew or to entrust him with them. There is a concern that he may impersonate a Jew to earn the trust of another Jew and then murder him on a secluded road. There is also a concern that the tzitzis might end up in the hands of a woman of ill repute, who could claim that she received them from a Jew and ruin his reputation. Although the first reason is no longer applicable, the second reason remains a concern.

[שו"ע כ, ב, משנ"ב ז-ח, וביה"ל ד"ה שמא; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 5]

Tzitzis is only an obligation during the day. The Rishonim disagree on the specifics of this time frame. Rambam explains that regardless of the type of garment a person is wearing, he is only required to wear tzitzis during the day. At night he is always exempt. Rosh holds that the time frame hinges on the type of garment that a person is wearing. A garment normally worn during the day is required to have tzitzis even at night. A garment generally worn at night is always exempt, even if it is worn during the day.

There is a disagreement about whether a sheet or blanket which is not normally worn or wrapped around the body is required to have tzitzis.

Chazal say that a person becomes obligated in tzitzis and can recite a brocha on the mitzvah once it is light enough to discern between techeles and white wool. Alternatively, a brocha can also be recited once it is light enough to recognize an acquaintance from a distance of four amos.

Can one tie his keys to his tzitzis?

How should one dispose of his tzitzis?

Can one clean his glasses with his tallis koton?

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.