Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Which tefilos can be recited in a cemetery?

It is forbidden to stand with a visible tallis koton within four amos of a grave or an unburied body. Doing so is la’ag l’rosh (mocking a “poor” man) by performing mitzvos which are no longer available to the deceased. This halacha also applies at the grave of a child. The poskim disagree about whether one must be careful with a tallis koton near a woman’s grave. A person should not learn Torah or daven while standing near the deceased for the same reason that he should not flaunt his tallis koton. Tefilos which are said to elevate the deceased’s soul are permitted.

[שו"ע כג, א ו־ג, ומשנ"ב א, ג, ה ו־ו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 3-2]

Is there a mitzvah to gaze at one’s tzitzis?

Tzitzis are meant to be worn throughout the day as a constant reminder to observe the mitzvos of Hashem. There are various symbolisms found in the strings and knots which allude to the taryag mitzvos. For example, the five knots symbolize the chamisha Chumshei Torah. According to many poskim, there is a Torah commandment to gaze at the tzitzis and remind oneself of the mitzvos. Minimally, a person should look at the tzitzis when he wraps himself in his tallis koton. One should look at his tzitzis throughout the day, especially during moments of weakness when he feels himself succumbing to his yetzer hora.

[שו"ע כד, א, ג ו־ה, ומשנ"ב ו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 6 ;תוס' מנחות מג, ב]

How should the tzitzis be held during Kriyas Shema?

During Kriyas Shema, one should hold his tzitzis in his left hand opposite his heart. According to the teachings of Kabbalah, they should be held between the pinky and ring finger. Customs differ as to whether the tzitzis from all four corners should be held or just the two in front. Upon saying the third portion of Shema, the tzitzis should also be held with the right hand. The custom is to continue holding them until the words ne’emanim v’nechemadim lo’ad in the brocha of Emes V’yatziv. They should be held up to the eyes when saying the words u’reisem oso. Various customs pertain to kissing one’s tzitzis during Kriyas Shema.

[שו"ע כד, ב ו־ד, ומשנ"ב ד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 5-4]

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.

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.

A person should recite the 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.

Is it permissible to print invitations containing pesukim?

Is it necessary to buy tefillin?

Can one skip over a mitzvah?

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.