Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Can one tie his keys to his tzitzis?

Mitzvah objects such as a shofar, daled minim or tzitzis which are still functional for the mitzvah may not be used for any other purpose. Doing so would be a bizyon hamitzvah. Therefore, tzitzis strings which are still affixed to a tallis may not be used to secure any objects. This prohibition extends past the time of the fulfillment of the mitzvah-- i.e., it also applies to using tzitzis at night, or the lulav and shofar after Yom Tov. Objects used for a mitzvah mid’rabonon may not be used for mundane purposes either.

[שו"ע כא, א, ומשנ"ב ד; וראה ביה"ל ד"ה אבל]

How should one dispose of his tzitzis?

Objects which were designated for a mitzvah but were not yet used may be repurposed. Likewise, when tzitzis are severed or untied from a garment, they may be used. Shulchon Aruch rules that they can also be thrown away. Rema disagrees and maintains that they may not be disposed of in a degrading fashion. Throwing them into the garbage or into the street where they will be trampled is considered degrading. He also adds that it is best to put the tzitzis in genizah or to use them for another mitzvah (e.g. as bookmarks in a sefer).

[שו"ע כא, א, ומשנ"ב ג ו־ח; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 3]

Can one clean his glasses with his tallis koton?

All opinions agree that the tallis garment without the strings may be disposed of in the typical fashion. It should not be used for a degrading purpose, however. While a tallis gadol is being worn, the garment should not be used for a non-mitzvah purpose. A tallis koton may be used for a mundane non-degrading purpose while it is worn. The poskim disagree about whether it is considered degrading to wipe the perspiration from one’s brow or to clean one’s glasses with them.

[שו"ע כא, ב, ומשנ"ב יב-יג; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 7]

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.

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.
It is forbidden to sell or entrust a non-Jew with a pair of tzitzis. There is a concern that he may impersonate a Jew, earn the trust of another Jew and murder him while traveling together on a secluded road.

Can a kittel be worn in the bathroom?

Should one sleep in his tallis koton?

When should a Shehechiyonu be said on a new tallis?

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.