Are my Tzitzis Strings still Kosher?
It is very common and with young children almost inevitable, that Tzitzis strings will break or become severed. It is important to know when they remain kosher and when they become pasul.
When Tzitzis are first tied into the garment, they must have a measure of 12 thumb-breadths. This is measured after the Tzitzis have been tied and includes the knots and windings as well as the strings which hang down. It does not include the part of the Tzitzis strings which drapes on the corner of the garment (approx. 3 thumb-breadths). The Tzitzis should be tied so that the ratio of length of the knots and windings (גדיל ) to the length of the strings (ענף ) is 1:2.
However, once the Tzitzis were tied with the proper length, if any of the strings become shortened or severed, the Tzitzis can remain kosher. However, depending on how many break and what length re-mains, the Tzitzis can become Pasul.
There are 2 main views in the Rishonim which have many Nafka Minas between them.
If one of the 8 strings break, even if none of it remains i.e. it breaks at the knot, the Tzitzis are kosher according to all opinions.
If 2 strings break completely; If they are from the same side and one was careful when tying the Tzitzis to ensure that these four always stayed on the same side, the Tzitzis are kosher.
If the 2 missing strands were from different sides or one was not careful when tying them, the Tzitzis will be pasul (unless one of the broken strings still has כדי עניבה ). Note: When Tzitzis are purchased ready tied, one cannot rely or presume that the tier was careful.
What if 3 or more strings break? Here comes the Machlokes.
According to the Rosh:
If all 8 strings were severed, only if כדי עניבה remains of each of the broken strings will the Tzitzis remain kosher. The same is true is 5,6, or 7 strings broke.
If 3 or 4 strings broke completely and no length remains, the Tzitzis may remain kosher, provided that they are all on the same side and one was careful to ensure that while tying the Tzitzis these four always stayed on the same side (as above). This is true as long as the 4 re-maining strings have כדי עניבה .
Rabbeinu Tam:
Rabbeinu Tam requires that 2 (of the 4) full strings must always remain intact, with their 4 ends (when folded) each measuring 12 thumb-breadths.
Therefore if any 3 (of the 8) ends become severed, the Tzitzis will always be pasul, even if כדי עניבה length remains (but less than 12 thumb-breadths).
Halacha in these disputed cases:
In the Shulchan Aruch, the Alter Rebbe (like the Mishna Berura) rules that lechatchila we are careful to be stringent like the second opinion (Rabbeinu Tam). However if no other Tzitzis are available we rely on the lenient opinion (Rosh) which is the primary opinion. It appears (and clearly in the Mishna Berura) that one could make a Bracha on these Tzitzis.
However in the Siddur, the Alter Rebbe brings only the stringent opinion, suggesting that one may not rely on the lenient opinion at all.
How much is כדי עניבה (literally enough to tie a bow)? There is a Machlokes what this means. Lechatchila we require enough length to tie a bow around each of the 3 other strings (as opposed to one bow around all of them).
A break in the windings section:
If even one of the strands became sev-ered at the place where the Tzitzis are inserted into the garment the Tzitzis are pasul according to all opinions.
If the string broke in the windings section (גדיל ), one opinion maintains that the laws of כדי עניבה still apply. However the stringent opinion, says that any break in the גדיל is considered like a break where the Titzis are tied in to the garment. The halacha is to be stringent (especially based on the Alter Rebbe’s ruling in the Siddur which leaves no room for leniency).
Unravelled/Frayed strings:
If the Tzitzis strings unravel or fray, the unravelled section is considered as though it has been severed.
Children:
Children from the age of Chinuch (6 years old) are required to wear Tzitzis. Tzitzis for children must also be 100% kosher and preferably meeting all of the hiddurim (wool garment, measurements, broken strings etc.) It is our custom to train a child to wear Tzitzis from the age of 3.
Concerning the halachos of broken strings which are in dispute (as above) it would appear that one can be lenient for children, especially if none of their Tzitzis meet the stricter standard (although base on the Siddur, there is strong grounds to be Machmir).
However they may not wear Tztzis which are pasul according to all opinions. Even children under the age of Chinuch may not be given a pair of Tzitzis to wear which is pasul.
It is important to check ones Tzitzis strings (as required daily by Shulchan Aruch) to make sure they remain kosher. One should also be sure to check their children’s Tzitzis before putting them on.
When Tzitzis are first tied into the garment, they must have a measure of 12 thumb-breadths. This is measured after the Tzitzis have been tied and includes the knots and windings as well as the strings which hang down. It does not include the part of the Tzitzis strings which drapes on the corner of the garment (approx. 3 thumb-breadths). The Tzitzis should be tied so that the ratio of length of the knots and windings (גדיל ) to the length of the strings (ענף ) is 1:2.
However, once the Tzitzis were tied with the proper length, if any of the strings become shortened or severed, the Tzitzis can remain kosher. However, depending on how many break and what length re-mains, the Tzitzis can become Pasul.
There are 2 main views in the Rishonim which have many Nafka Minas between them.
If one of the 8 strings break, even if none of it remains i.e. it breaks at the knot, the Tzitzis are kosher according to all opinions.
If 2 strings break completely; If they are from the same side and one was careful when tying the Tzitzis to ensure that these four always stayed on the same side, the Tzitzis are kosher.
If the 2 missing strands were from different sides or one was not careful when tying them, the Tzitzis will be pasul (unless one of the broken strings still has כדי עניבה ). Note: When Tzitzis are purchased ready tied, one cannot rely or presume that the tier was careful.
What if 3 or more strings break? Here comes the Machlokes.
According to the Rosh:
If all 8 strings were severed, only if כדי עניבה remains of each of the broken strings will the Tzitzis remain kosher. The same is true is 5,6, or 7 strings broke.
If 3 or 4 strings broke completely and no length remains, the Tzitzis may remain kosher, provided that they are all on the same side and one was careful to ensure that while tying the Tzitzis these four always stayed on the same side (as above). This is true as long as the 4 re-maining strings have כדי עניבה .
Rabbeinu Tam:
Rabbeinu Tam requires that 2 (of the 4) full strings must always remain intact, with their 4 ends (when folded) each measuring 12 thumb-breadths.
Therefore if any 3 (of the 8) ends become severed, the Tzitzis will always be pasul, even if כדי עניבה length remains (but less than 12 thumb-breadths).
Halacha in these disputed cases:
In the Shulchan Aruch, the Alter Rebbe (like the Mishna Berura) rules that lechatchila we are careful to be stringent like the second opinion (Rabbeinu Tam). However if no other Tzitzis are available we rely on the lenient opinion (Rosh) which is the primary opinion. It appears (and clearly in the Mishna Berura) that one could make a Bracha on these Tzitzis.
However in the Siddur, the Alter Rebbe brings only the stringent opinion, suggesting that one may not rely on the lenient opinion at all.
How much is כדי עניבה (literally enough to tie a bow)? There is a Machlokes what this means. Lechatchila we require enough length to tie a bow around each of the 3 other strings (as opposed to one bow around all of them).
A break in the windings section:
If even one of the strands became sev-ered at the place where the Tzitzis are inserted into the garment the Tzitzis are pasul according to all opinions.
If the string broke in the windings section (גדיל ), one opinion maintains that the laws of כדי עניבה still apply. However the stringent opinion, says that any break in the גדיל is considered like a break where the Titzis are tied in to the garment. The halacha is to be stringent (especially based on the Alter Rebbe’s ruling in the Siddur which leaves no room for leniency).
Unravelled/Frayed strings:
If the Tzitzis strings unravel or fray, the unravelled section is considered as though it has been severed.
Children:
Children from the age of Chinuch (6 years old) are required to wear Tzitzis. Tzitzis for children must also be 100% kosher and preferably meeting all of the hiddurim (wool garment, measurements, broken strings etc.) It is our custom to train a child to wear Tzitzis from the age of 3.
Concerning the halachos of broken strings which are in dispute (as above) it would appear that one can be lenient for children, especially if none of their Tzitzis meet the stricter standard (although base on the Siddur, there is strong grounds to be Machmir).
However they may not wear Tztzis which are pasul according to all opinions. Even children under the age of Chinuch may not be given a pair of Tzitzis to wear which is pasul.
It is important to check ones Tzitzis strings (as required daily by Shulchan Aruch) to make sure they remain kosher. One should also be sure to check their children’s Tzitzis before putting them on.