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When is it forbidden to sew a ripped tallis?

As we have learned, there are two basic approaches among the Rishonim to explain the Gemara which states that a ripped tzitzis garment may not be repaired within three fingers’ distance from its edge. According to the first approach, there is a concern that the thread that remains after sewing may end up being used as a tzitzis string. This concern only applies to thread that can be used for tzitzis. The second approach suggests that the Gemara is referring to a severed corner (particularly one with tzitzis hanging from it) being reaffixed to a garment. Sewing with any sort of thread would be problematic. There is a third opinion in the Rishonim which combines both views. According to this opinion, the concern is primarily about using a remnant as a tzitzis string, but the issue only arises in cases of a severed corner. Although this view is not quoted in the Shulchon Aruch and the Nosei Kelim, it is quoted in the Chazon Ish.

[ביאורים ומוספים דרשו טו, 9]

What is the practical halacha regarding sewing a ripped tallis?

The basic halacha follows the second opinion, which only prohibits repairing a severed corner of a garment if tzitzis will not be reaffixed after the repair. It is appropriate to follow both opinions, however. Therefore, one should not fix any size rip within three fingers’ distance from the edge. It is also proper not to sew any severed corner, regardless of the thread being used. As mentioned, though, a rip on a garment may be repaired in pressing situations, even with thread that is used for tzitzis. One of the reasons why the poskim reach this conclusion is that Rashi (the source of the first opinion) may have understood the entire halacha as a l’chatchilah instruction and not as a reason to invalidate the tallis.

[שו"ע טו, ד, משנ"ב יז, וביה"ל ד"ה ואם, וד"ה איכא]

Which type of thread may be used to reinforce the hole on a tallis?

To avoid the issue of sewing ripped garments, there is a custom to sew a piece of material with the dimensions of three-by-three fingers on each of the corners of the garment. This will ensure that the area near the edge of the garment is strong and unlikely to rip. There is also a custom to reinforce the hole that the tiztzis hang from with a thread that is not used for tzitzis strings. Some people reinforce it with cotton thread. Although cotton can technically be used for tzitzis strings, the custom is to use wool. As such, there is no concern that a remnant of the cotton thread will be used for tzitzis.

[משנ"ב טו, טז ו־כא; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 14]

The Gemara states that if the there is a rip at the edge of a tzitzis garment within three fingers’ distance from the edge, it should not be repaired.

Rashi explains that there is a concern that a small amount of the sewing thread may remain after the repair. A person might then add an additional seven strings, thinking that this would bring the total to eight tzitzis strings. However, the string which was a remainder of the sewing thread is invalid, since it was not put into place for the sake of the mitzvah.

Rav Amram Gaon offers another explanation for this Gemara. In his view, if a section of a garment within three fingers’ distance from the edge was severed, it cannot become part of the garment again even if it is reattached. If tzitzis are affixed to that corner, they are pasul. Any size rip is an issue if it severs a section in that area.

What are the minimal dimensions of a garment that would require it to have tzitzis?

Does the neck hole of a talis katon count towards the minimal dimensions of the garment?

Is a tallis gadol required to have tzitzis if it is not a typical garment?

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.