Question
The corner of my Tallis Katan tore near the area of the Tzitzis hole. I would like to sew the tear so that the Tallis can continue to be used. Must I use a specific type of thread, or may I use any sewing thread that I have available? Does it make a difference where the tear occurred?
Answer
It depends on where the tear occurred. If the tear is outside the halachically significant area of the corner, then any thread may be used for the repair. If, however, the tear occurred within the area designated for the placement of the Tzitzis hole and strings (approximately 4-6 cm from the bottom and side of the corner), then one should ideally not sew it with a white thread made from a material that is valid for Tzitzis on that garment, following those Poskim who prohibit it. Rather, one should use either:
- A colored thread, or
- A thread made from a material that is invalid for Tzitzis on that particular garment.
Practical Examples – Wool Tallis: If the garment is wool, wool threads are valid Tzitzis material. Therefore, one should not sew the corner area using white wool thread.
Instead, one should use:
- Colored wool thread, or
- Silk thread, polyester thread, or another material.
Cotton Tallis: Since both cotton and wool can be used for Tzitzis, one should ideally avoid sewing the corner area with either:
- White cotton thread, or
- White wool thread.
Instead, one should use a colored thread or another material.
Silk Tallis: If the garment is silk, one should not use white silk or wool thread within the corner area. Instead, another material or a colored thread should be used.
Explanation
Why Is There a Restriction on the Thread Used? At first glance, sewing a tear should be no different than repairing any other garment. However, the corner of a Tallis possesses a unique status because it is the location where the Tzitzis are attached. The Poskim explain that if one sews within the halachically significant corner area using a white thread made from a material valid for Tzitzis, a concern arises. A person may later see part of the sewing thread protruding and mistakenly use that thread as part of the Tzitzis strings. This creates a problem because the sewing thread was not designated and prepared for the mitzvah of Tzitzis and therefore may not be used for that purpose.
Where Does This Problem Apply? The concern applies only within the halachically significant area of the corner, namely the zone in which the Tzitzis hole may be placed.
If the tear occurred:
- Below that area,
- Above that area,
- Or otherwise outside the legal dimensions of the Tzitzis corner,
then any sewing thread may be used.
Colored Thread
A colored thread is permitted according to all opinions. The Poskim explain that there is no concern that one will later incorporate such a thread into the Tzitzis, as the accepted custom today is not to make colored Tzitzis strings. For this reason, using colored thread is often the simplest and preferred solution when repairing a torn corner.
Reinforcing the Tzitzis Hole
The same principle applies when sewing around the rim of the Tzitzis hole to reinforce it and prevent tearing. One should not use a white thread made of a material valid for Tzitzis on that garment. Instead, a colored thread or another material should be used.
Other Opinions
Not all Poskim accept the above stringency. Some rule that nowadays, when the widespread custom is to use wool Tzitzis strings on all garments regardless of the garment’s material, there is no concern in using white thread made of the same material as the garment to repair or reinforce the corner. Thus, according to this view, one may sew a cotton Tallis Katan with white cotton thread even within the corner area, as cotton thread would never be confused with the wool Tzitzis strings customarily used on the garment. It is based upon this reasoning that many Tallis manufacturers are lenient to reinforce the Tzitzis holes of cotton garments using cotton thread. Nevertheless, the ruling of the Alter Rebbe and Shulchan Aruch remains that one should preferably be stringent when possible and use either a colored thread or a material that is not valid for Tzitzis on that garment.
Practical Summary
| Location of Tear | Type of Thread |
| Outside the halachic corner area | Any thread may be used |
| Within the 4-6 cm corner area | Preferably use a colored thread |
| Within the 4-6 cm corner area | Alternatively, use a material invalid for Tzitzis on that garment |
| Within the 4-6 cm corner area | Avoid white thread made of a material valid for Tzitzis |
Sources
The distinction between tears occurring inside and outside the Tzitzis corner area: Admur 15:16; Michaber 15:6
The prohibition against sewing the corner area with white thread made from material valid for Tzitzis: Rashi Menachos 41a; Rosh 2:11; Admur 15:16
The reason for the restriction, lest one use the leftover sewing thread as Tzitzis: Admur 15:16; Magen Avraham 15:5
The practical ruling to be stringent like this opinion: Admur 15:16; Michaber 15:6
The permissibility of using colored thread: Admur 15:16; Mishnah Berurah 15:18; Aruch Hashulchan 15:16; Kaf Hachaim 15:36
The application of this rule to reinforcing the rim of the Tzitzis hole: Admur 15:16
The opinion permitting sewing with the same material as the garment based on the contemporary custom to use wool Tzitzis: Aruch Hashulchan 15:10, 15:16
The common manufacturing practice to reinforce even cotton garments with cotton thread: Piskeiy Teshuvos 15:6
The practical ruling to nevertheless be stringent when possible: Admur 15:16; Michaber 15:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 15:6