Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Are four-cornered aprons required to have tzitzis?

Only garments which are designed to cover one’s body are obligated in tzitzis. Garments which are meant to wrap the head or neck are exempt from tzitzis. Although in some instances they also cover the body, they are not classified as garments for the body since this function was not intended in the original design. Garments which serve more of a utilitarian purpose are also exempt. Examples include aprons or belts used for carrying objects or money. The poskim disagree about whether garments which are worn for prestige are required to have tzitzis. In order to bypass the question, it is best to round off one of the corners of such a garment.

[שו"ע י, יא, וביה"ל ד"ה סוד]

Must a person enjoy his garment in order to be obligated in tzitzis?

Presently, the common practice is to wear a four-cornered garment just for the mitzvah and not for enjoyment. This seems to contradict the previously mentioned halacha that only garments which are worn for enjoyment (i.e. for the benefits that clothing provide) are required to have tzitzis. The Achronim offer two explanations for this practice: 1) Although they are not worn for enjoyment, these garments provide benefits which are enjoyed. Some Rishonim explain that since it is inevitable that the wearer will enjoy them, it is as if there is also an intention for enjoyment. This explanation, however, is not sufficient, since our custom is to wear tzitzis even when there is no enjoyment from the garment whatsoever (e.g. in the summer months, when extra clothing is cumbersome). 2) The custom is to follow those opinions which hold that garments worn for prestige are also obligated in tzitzis, and mitzvos are associated with prestige.

[ביאורים ומוספים דרשו י, 2]

Is a frock required to have tzitzis?

In earlier times, there were various shirt-like garments with two corners on top and two on the bottom. The custom was not to affix tzitzis to these garments. Rema explains that this was because they did not have two sets of corresponding corners on the front and back of the garment. The Achronim are not satisfied with this reason, and they suggest rounding off one of the corners to clearly exempt such garments from tzitzis. Garments like frock coats, which have a slit in the back, should have one of the corners rounded off. If, aside from the corners created by the slit, they also have four corners on the top and bottom (adding up to six corners in total), three of the corners should be rounded off.

[שו"ע י, יב, משנ"ב לו, וביה"ל ד"ה הואי]

A garment that resembles a modern-day tallis koton but is sewn together on both sides is only required to have tzitzis if most of each side is left open. Otherwise, it is exempt. An opening for the arms does not count towards the majority of open space; in fact, it is counted as part of the area that is sewn together.

A garment with two sides that are buttoned or clasped together and can be easily opened is not considered to be closed along the sides and is still obligated in tzitzis.

On Shabbos, it is forbidden to walk (outside an eiruv) wearing a garment which has objects connected to it that do not serve any purpose. Therefore, it is forbidden to wear a garment with tzitzis if the garment is exempt from the requirement. (Garments which are obligated to have tzitzis may be worn, since the tzitzis serve the garment.)

Which aspects of tzitzis-making must be done lishmah?

Can one rely on the lishmah intention of another person?

Can a child spin the tzitzis threads?

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.