The size of the shoulders of the Tallis Katan:[1]
One is to be careful by the Tallis Katan to make the shoulder area of the garment wide.[2] [See Q&A for the practical size. Some[3] however write that this requirement only applies according to the ruling of Admur in the Shulchan Aruch which holds that the shoulder area is part of the measurement of the Tallis Katan. However, according to the Siddur, the shoulder area may be of any size and the Tallis remains valid.[4]]
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Q&A How wide must the shoulder area of the Tallis be? It must be slightly wide[5], at least 7.2 cm each.[6] Some[7] write each shoulder is to be 21 cm wide. Some[8] however rule that according to Admur in the Siddur there is no minimum size required. |
[1] Admur 16:2; M”A 16 in name of Maharil 4:4 and Mateh Moshe 9
[2] The reason: In order so the empty space of one side of the shoulder and the empty side at the other side of the shoulder do not nullify the Tzitzis. [Poskim ibid] This is a rule brought in Eiruvin 10b and means that if there is more empty space at the two sides of the Eiruv than the Eiruv itself, then the Eiruv is invalid. ]See Admur 362:10] Seemingly, the intent of using this statement here regarding the shoulders is to say that the same applies here in the case of Tzitzis, that if the shoulder area is too narrow, then it is considered like non-existent, and it thus does not connect the two sides of the Tallis. Some Poskim however explain that this phrase was used as a mere euphemism, as in truth we never view the shoulder area as non-existent regarding it connecting the two sides of the Tallis. The true intent of this terminology is to say that since the Tallis Katan must have a minimum length, one should not make the shoulder area too narrow as otherwise that area will not have enough width of cloth to be included as part of the Shiur Tallis. [Machatzis Hashekel on M”A ibid; Aruch Hashulchan 16:4; implication of Ketzos Hashulchan Hosafos p. 86]
[3] Ketzos Hashulchan Hosafos p. 86
[4] The reason: As in the Siddur, Admur rules the neck hole is not included in the measurement of the Tallis Katan, and hence the shoulder area is not included in the measurement. For this reason, there is no need for the shoulder to be of a minimum measurement, as in any event it is not included in the measurement of the Tallis, and to affect the connection of the two sides, it suffices that it is even slightly attached. [Ketzos Hashulchan ibid]
[5] M”B 16:4; See Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 8:13
[6] Ashel Avraham 16; Kaf Hachaim 16:6
[7] Chazon Ish Igeres 10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 16:2 footnote 16
[8] Ketzos Hashulchan Hosafos p. 86