What are the minimal dimensions for a garment to be obligated in tzitzis?


A garment must have a minimal dimension in order to be obligated in tzitzis. According to Shulchon Aruch, the garment must be able to cover the head and most of the rest of the body of an average nine-year old. Rema adds that the garment must be large enough for a thirteen-year-old boy to wear outside -- or at least at the entrance of his home -- without feeling ashamed. If a garment does not meet the minimal requirements but is considered socially acceptable, the poskim disagree about whether it is obligated to have tzitzis.

[שו"ע טז, א, משנ"ב א-ד, וביה"ל ד"ה ואז; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 3 ,וראה שם, 4



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

Some Achronim write that the length of a garment that would cover a nine-year old measures at least an amah and a half. Some say that it is at least two amos. The poskim disagree about whether the width of the shoulder areas that surround the neck hole is counted toward the minimal dimensions. It is proper for the garment to be at least an amah wide. Chazon Ish explains that if the width of each of the shoulders is wider than the hole, the hole can count towards the width of the garment. In his view, an amah is approximately twenty-four inches. Therefore, by way of example, if each of the shoulders is approximately nine inches wide, a six-inch neck hole would bring the total to the necessary width.

[משנ"ב טז, ד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 2 ,5 ו־6 ,וראה שם, 7 ,ו־יח, 6]



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

As mentioned, Rema rules that in order to be subject to the mitzvah of tzitzis, a garment must be large enough for a thirteen-year-old to walk outside in it without being embarrassed. The embarrassment is only measured as it relates to the size of the garment. Thus, if a garment is large enough to cover a young man’s body but he is embarrassed to wear it outside for other reasons (e.g. he doesn’t like that its uniqueness makes him stand out in a crowd), it is required to have tzitzis. A tallis godol or large tallis koton are certainly subject to the mitzvah, even in places where they are not customarily worn openly in the street.

[ביה"ל טז, א, ד"ה לשוק]
  • 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 on it) which was reaffixed to a garment. Sewing with any sort of thread would be problematic. 

  • 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. Nonetheless, it is appropriate to follow both opinions.

  • 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




  • May women recite a brocha on a time-sensitive mitzvah?









  • Why is it customary for women not to wear tzitzis?









  • At what age should a child start wearing tzitzis?
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.
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