Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Can a kittel be worn in the bathroom?

A tallis koton may be worn in the bathroom, either above or below one’s shirt. A tallis gadol, which is normally worn for davening, should not be worn in the bathroom. Similarly, some poskim forbid one to wear a kittel, which is also designated for tefilla, when walking into the bathroom. Others allow it to be worn, but it must be removed before tending to one’s needs. In some communities it is customary to wear a white chalat during the Yamim Noraim. This garment may be worn in the bathroom, since it is not designated for davening.

[שו"ע כא, ג, ומשנ"ב יד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 8 ,10 ו־11]

Should one sleep in his tallis koton?

It is permissible to wear a tallis koton while sleeping. Nonetheless, some Rishonim discourage this practice. According to the teachings of Kabbalah, however, a tallis koton should be worn while sleeping. Some Achronim say that tzitzis are worn at night because the halacha follows the opinion that a daytime garment is also required to have tzitzis at night. Others explain that even according to the opinions which exempt tzitzis at night, a tallis koton still affords a degree of protection since it is a mitzvah object. According to some, there is a fulfillment of the Kabbalistic concept of wearing tzitzis even if they are affixed to a nighttime garment that is entirely exempt from tzitzis.

[שו"ע כא, ג, ומשנ"ב טו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 12 ;וראה משנ"ב יח, ג]

When should a Shehechiyonu be said on a new tallis?

A person should recite a brocha of Shehechiyonu on a new tallis gadol. If one purchases a garment without tzitzis, he should only say Shehechiyonu when he affixes tzitzis to it. If someone else ties the tzitzis, one should make the Shehechiyonu upon wearing the garment for the first time. If a person affixes new strings onto an old garment, providing it with tzitzis for the first time, the poskim disagree on whether he should recite Shehechiyonu. To avoid the question, it is best to find a new fruit and recite a Shehechiyonu on it, having in mind to exempt the tzitzis as well. The poskim also disagree about whether one should recite a Shehechiyonu upon doing a mitzvah for the first time.

[שו"ע כב, א, משנ"ב ב, וביה"ל ד"ה קנה; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 1 ו־4]

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.

Once tzitzis are severed or untied from a garment, they may be used. Shulchon Aruch rules that they may be also be thrown into the garbage. Rema disagrees and maintains that they may not be disposed of in a degrading fashion.

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.

Which tefillos can be said in a cemetery?

Is there a mitzvah to gaze at the tzitzis?

How should one hold his tzitzis during Kriyas Shema?

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.