Chapter 21: The Tallis during Davening^[1]

*The below chapter will focus specifically on Tallis laws that are relevant to Davening. For the full detailed laws relating to Tzitzis, see our corresponding Sefer “The Laws and Customs of Tzitzis.”

1. Wearing Tzitzis during Davening and Shema:

Even one who is unable to wear Tzitzis the entire day is at the very least to be careful to wear Tzitzis during Shema and Shemoneh Esrei. This applies to Shemoneh Esrei of both Shacharis and Mincha. One who recites Shema without Tzitzis is testifying falsely of himself.

When: The Chabad custom is to wear the Tallis Gadol prior to Eizehu Mekoman. One is to wear the Tallis Gadol until after Aleinu Leshabeiach. The Ashkenazi custom is to begin wearing a Tallis Gadol only after the wedding. This is likewise the Chabad custom. However the Sephardic custom is to wear a Tallis Gadol even prior to marriage beginning from the age of Chinuch [i.e. 6 years old].

Tallis arrived in middle of Davening: One may not say a blessing over a Tallis in middle of Pesukei Dezimra [even Bein Haperakim, and certainly not in middle of a Perek]. However one may recite a blessing over the Tallis between Yishtabach and Yotzer. [In the event that Tallis arrived in middle of Pesukei Dezimra, one is to place it on without a blessing, and between Yishtabach and Yotzer is to then shake the Tzitzis and recite a blessing.] If one remembered to put on a Tallis or received a Tallis, after Yotzer but before completing the blessing of Goal Yisrael, he may place the Tallis on without a blessing and after Shemoneh Esrei he is to shake the Tzitzis and recite a blessing. This applies whether he is in middle of a Perek or is in between the Perakim; in either case he may put on the Tallis, but may not say a blessing. This applies even if one is in the middle of one of the Parshiyos of Shema; with exception to if one is in the middle of the first paragraph of Shema, in which case he may not even wear the Tallis without a blessing. If one is already between Geula and Tefillah, having already completed the blessing of Goal Yisrael, he may not put on the Tallis even without a blessing.

Holding the Tzitzis during Baruch Sheamar: While saying Baruch Sheamar one holds the two front Tzitzis with the left hand. At the conclusion of the blessing one passes the Tzitzis over his eyes and kisses them. [The Rebbe was witnessed to first take hold the Tzitzis in his left hand and then to pass it to his right hand and kiss the Tzitzis while they are in his right hand.]

Holding the Tzitzis during Shema: At the phrase beginning “Vehavienu Leshalom” one brings the two front Tzitzis together; one then adds the Tzitzis at the back left side, to the left of the two front Tzitzis; and one then adds the remaining back-right Tzitzis, to the right of the two front Tzitzis. All four Tzitzis, following the above order, are then held together between the pinky and the ring finger [fingers 5-4]. One then crosses the strings over the ring and middle finger [fingers 4 and 3] and passes the strings between the middle finger and the index finger [fingers 3-2]. The Tzitzis are to be held near the heart. When one reaches the Parsha of Tzitzis [Vayomer] one takes hold of the loose strings of the Tzitzis with his right hand, having the Gedil of the Tzitzis remain in the left hand [and looks at them]. [One holds it in this manner until the words “Nemanim Venechmadim Laad”.] One passes the Tzitzis over his eyes and kisses the Tzitzis at the following places: 1) Tzitzis, 2) Tzitzis 3) Tzitzis; 4) Emes; 5) Kayemes; 6) La’ad. After the final kissing by the word La’ad one is to let the Tzitzis go from his hand. One does not place the Tzitzis over the eyes or kiss them upon saying the word Ureisem Oso [although when he reaches those words he is to take hold of the two middle Tzitzis with his right hand]. [After kissing the Tzitzis by the word La’ad, one lets the Tzitzis go from his hands.] It is brought in the name of the early Sages that whoever passes the Tzitzis over his eyes during the Parsha of Vayomer is guaranteed not to become blind.

Folding the Tallis Gadol after Davening: The Tallis is to be removed using the left hand. One is to fold the Tallis immediately after Davening. If one forgot to fold his Tallis until the next morning, then the next day, prior to wearing the Tallis, he is to shake it towards the ground. It is proper to personally fold one’s Tallis rather than give it to someone else to fold. The Tallis is to be folded while one is standing.

2. The earliest time for wearing the Tallis Gadol:

A blessing may be recited over Tzitzis [whether a Tallis Gadol or Katan] starting from Mi-Sheyakir. Prior to Mi-Sheyakir, it is permitted to wear the Tallis Gadol/Katan without a blessing. When the time of Mi-Sheyakir arrives, he is to shake the fringes of the Tallis and then say a blessing over it. After the blessing one is to look at the Tzitzis and kiss them. Prior to Alos, one is not to wear a Tallis Gadol even without a blessing, although a Tallis Katan may be worn without a blessing. If one wore the Tzitzis with a blessing before Mi Sheyakir the blessing is not to be repeated when Mi Sheyakir arrives.

3. Kavana when wearing the Tzitzis:

When placing on the Tallis one is to have in mind that G-d commanded us to wear the Tallis in order to remember all of His commands and consequently fulfill them. This is aside for the general intent that one must have prior to fulfilling any Mitzvah; that one must intend to perform it in order to fulfill the command of Hashem. One who wears Tzitzis without even this intent does not fulfill the Mitzvah at all. One who wears the Tzitzis in order to fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzitzis, but without intending to do so in order to remember all of the Mitzvos, has not fulfilled the Mitzvah in its proper fashion. He is not fulfilling the true intent behind this Mitzvah, and is considered to fulfill the Mitzvah out of mere habit rather than of true religious fervor. The above Kavana relates to the Mitzvah and not to the blessing, and hence it is relevant whenever one wears a Tallis Gadol/Katan, even if a blessing is not recited.

Kabalas Ol: When wearing the Tzitzis one is to also have in mind to draw upon himself the Kingship of Heaven. If one did not have the above intent in mind at the time of the blessing then he is to do so anytime while still wearing the Tallis.

Daven: When one puts on his Tzitzis it is an auspicious time to Daven to Hashem to be saved from bad emotions and character traits such as anger, jealousy and hatred.

4. How to wear the Tallis Gadol on the body:

The Tallis Gadol must be worn in a way that it covers one’s actual body. those that wear the Tallis in a way that it is folded and draped over ones shoulders, with the strings of the two right corners resting on ones right chest, and the two left corner strings resting on one’s left chest, do not fulfill the Mitzvah and are to be protested.

Covering the body: The Tallis Gadol must be worn in a way that the width of at least one Ama [49 cm] of material, and the total length of at least two Amos [98 cm] is spread open and covers the person’s body. The folded areas of the Tallis is not included in the above size.

Yishmaeli wrap: It is proper to wear the Tallis Gadol in a Yishmaeli wrap while one is saying the blessing.

How should the Tallis Gadol be worn during prayer, after the blessing: One is to place the sides of the Tallis on ones shoulder in order to have the Tzitzis strings of the right and left corner of the Tallis hang on both ones front and back. This is done in order so one has two sets of Tzitzis by ones front side, and two sets of Tzitzis by ones back side, in order to be surrounded in Mitzvos.

Tzitzis hitting corner: The Tzitzis of a Tallis Gadol/Katan is to be tied to the corner in a way that a) the first knot rests 4 cm above the corner, and b) the Tzitzis hits the corner when it is worn, and does not hover over the ground. Due to this, one must beware upon tying the Tzitzis to the corner, to tie it in accordance to the way one wears the Tallis, in the way that will assure that the braid hits the corner and does not dangle straight over the ground when he wears it. The Chabad custom by the Tallis Gadol is to make a side hole into which the Shamash is fastened after making the two knots, hence preventing the knots from falling below the 4 cm mark.

Top part up: One is not to wear the Tallis upside down, and hence is to be careful to always wear the top part of the Tallis [Gadol] on one’s head.

Folded: Every person must beware not to wear a folded Tallis. Thus, even a Tallis that is very long and is the length of two Talleisim is not to be folded and worn in this method.

5. How to perform the Yishmaeli wrap of the Tallis Gadol during the blessing:

Right shoulder checking: The folded Tallis Gadol is placed on the right shoulder, and one checks and separates its Tzitzis while reciting the two verses beginning, Barchi Nafshi.

Kissing and swinging: The Tallis is then unfolded and opened wide; one kisses its upper edge, and it is swung around from the position in which it is held in front of the person until it is hanging behind him.

Cover eyes: The upper edge of the Tallis is placed on one’s head and is stretched forward over one’s face until it loosely covers the eyes.

The blessing: At this point, the blessing is slowly begun and is only completed at the end of the wrapping when one is about to bring the two right hand corners of the Tallis in front of the neck and over the left shoulder, as explained in the next steps.

The wrap: Many Chabad Chassidim are accustomed to even out both sides of the Tallis prior to swinging the right Tzitzis over the neck. One lifts the top and bottom corner of the right side of the Tallis in one’s right hand and wraps it around one’s neck towards his left. The fringes of the right side are to rest behind ones neck/shoulder of the left hand side. [The widespread Chabad custom today is to grab the actual corners with the right hand, and swing the Tzitzis over the shoulder. However, in the tradition of Reb Shilem and the Rebbe Rashab one evens out the sides of the Tallis prior to swinging it over the neck, and then swings the entire right side over the shoulder, and not just the Tzitzis.] It is inappropriate however to throw the Tallis over one’s entire head in a way that it prevents one from seeing. The Tzitzis of the left side are to remain positioned on the left side thus having in total all four corners of Tzitzis on the left side; the two of his left side by his front left, and the two of his right side by his back left. [The widespread Chabad custom today is to lift the two corners of the left hand side with the left hand and then proximate the Tzitzis near the chest. However according to the tradition of Reb Shilem, as well as according to most sources, one is to leave the left Tzitzis hanging on the front left side, pointing slightly to the right, without lifting it.]

Covering body:  The material of the Tallis must cover one’s front and back until below his chest for a total of one Ama on each side. There however is no need to draw its upper edge so far forward over one’s head that it will cover the face down to the mouth; rather, only far enough to cover the eyes.

How long: One is to stand in this position of wrapping for the period of time it takes to walk four Amos, which is approximately three seconds.   

Undoing wrap: One is then to undo the wrap and roll the right side of the Tallis over his right shoulder and the left side over the left shoulder

Speaking during wrap: It is forbidden to speak, or even answer for Kaddish or Kedusha, until the blessing and the wrapping is complete. Once the wrapping is complete [step 7 above] one may talk.

Lefty: A lefty is to wrap the Tallis in the same method and directions as a right handed person.

6. Using another person’s Tallis without permission:

It is permitted to use another person’s Tallis without asking his permission, if one is careful to abide by all the following conditions:

• If one found the Tallis folded he must refold it after using it.
• It is not necessary to fold it in the same way that it was found. On Shabbos, one is not required to refold it.
• The borrowed Tallis may only be used in the area that it was left by the owner.
• It is forbidden to borrow it on a steady basis.
• Even when the above conditions will be fulfilled, if it is possible to ask the owner, one is to do so rather than borrow it without permission. If one knows for certain that the owner is particular then it is forbidden to use it.
• When borrowing another person’s Tallis without permission one is not required to recite a blessing prior to wearing it, although if one desires to say a blessing over it, he may do so.
• One may not borrow the Tallis during a time that the owner will need to use it.
• One may not borrow the Tallis if it may tear or get damaged due to the crowd of people present
• One may not borrow the Tallis if it he will sweat and get it wet.
• One may not borrow the Tallis to wear not for the sake of the Mitzvah.

7. The laws of the blessing:

The blessing of “Lehisatef Betzitzis” is recited over the wearing of the Tallis Gadol, upon wrapping it in a Yishmaeli wrap. If one accidently wore the Tallis Gadol without a blessing, he may still say the blessing of Lehisatef afterwards. If one said the blessing of Al Mitzvas Tzitzis on a Tallis Gadol it is disputed if he is Yotzei, and practically the blessing is not to be repeated.

A. Checking the Tzitzis prior to the blessing:

Each and every day, prior to reciting the blessing upon wearing the Tzitzis, one is required to look and examine the Tzitzis strings to ensure that they are still valid. While examining the validity of the Tzitzis [of the Tallis Gadol] one is to recite the phrase of “Barchi Nafshi…” as printed in the Siddur. After the Tzitzis have been checked one time that day, one is not required to repeat the examination process again that day. This applies even if one removed the Tallis from his body without intent to wear again [that day] and then in the midst of the day he changed his mind and decided to wear it, nevertheless he is not required to re-examine the strings prior to doing so.

What to check for: One is to check if the [loose] strings [above the braid] have torn [in a way that invalidates the Tzitzis, as explained in Chapter 4 Halacha 12]. Likewise, one is to check if even one string has torn in the area of the Tzitzis that lies on the corner of the Tallis, as well as in the braided area [“Gedil”/knots and loops] of the Tzitzis [as even one torn string invalidates the Tzitzis in those areas, as explained in Chapter 4 Halacha 12A]. One is to also verify that the Tzitzis are lying on the side of the corner, and have not fallen below the corner.

Time of need: If one is pressed for time to go to Shul, and if he waits until he finishes examining the Tzitzis he will be unable to pray with the Minyan, then it is permitted to wear the Tzitzis without examining it [or separating its strings] beforehand. Likewise, if one arrived to Shul and was called for an Aliyah to the Torah [or for another Mitzvah which a Tallis is worn], and he has still not worn his Tallis, then it is permitted to wear the Tzitzis without examining it [or separating its strings] beforehand. [The same law applies in any case of time of need. In such a case, one is not required to check the Tzitzis even after the time of need has passed, if it is still on him from the initial wearing.]

Shabbos: One is required to check the validity of the Tzitzis also on Shabbos, and so is the widespread custom. [Upon checking the Tzitzis strings on Shabbos, one is to hold the upper knot of the Tzitzis and then check each string, in order to prevent tightening that knot on Shabbos.]

Segula: Checking the Tzitzis is a Segula to alleviate tooth pain.

B. Untangling the Tzitzis:

Prior to saying to wear the Tzitzis one is required to separate the strings of the Tzitzis from each other. This applies for both the Tallis Gadol and the Tallis Katan. In a time of need, it is permitted to skip the examination and separation process, such as if one is pressed for time to say Shema with Tzitzis or pray with a Minyan.

Shabbos: One may separate [loosely] entangled strings on Shabbos. However, one must beware not to untangle any strong knots that may have formed, and also not to tighten the top knot of the Tzitzis which commonly becomes loose. [As a precaution to prevent tightening the upper knot on Shabbos, upon checking the Tzitzis strings on Shabbos, one is to hold the upper knot of the Tzitzis and then separate each string.] If it is a new Tallis and it is the first time one is wearing it, then one is not to separate the strings at all on Shabbos, and is rather to do so on Erev Shabbos.

1. Looking at the Tzitzis during the blessing:

It is proper to look at the Tzitzis upon one wrapping it over him, while saying the blessing. According to Kabala, one is to look at the Tzitzis of the Tallis Gadol also after the Tallis has been positioned to rest over the shoulders.

1. Standing:

The blessing of Lehisatef Betzitzis is to [Lechatchila] be recited in a standing position. If the blessing was recited in a sitting position, one nevertheless fulfills his obligation. The donning of the Tallis must be done in a standing position. Thus, one is to stand when wrapping a Tallis even if a blessing is not being said [such as after re-wrapping the Tallis after using the bathroom and the like]. It is forbidden for one to lean on any item in a way that it supports him from falling while reciting the blessing, or while wrapping the Tallis. A sick or weak person is not required to stand when putting on a Tallis.

 

1. Is a blessing recited over a borrowed Tallis?

When borrowing a Tallis from another person for the sake of the Mitzvah it is proper for the borrower to ask the lender to give him the Tallis “Matana Al Menas Lehachzir”. If one did not do so, then if the owner knows the borrower desires the Tallis to perform the Mitzvah of Tzitzis, then the borrower must say a blessing upon wearing it. If however the borrower asked for the Tallis for Kavod purposes [such as to wear it upon being the Chazan] then it is optional for the borrower to say a blessing for the first 30 days. When using the Tallis of another person without his knowledge, one is not obligated to say a blessing upon wearing it. In such a case the blessing is optional.

Tallis of a Shul: One who borrows the public Tallis of a Shul is obligated to say a blessing upon wearing it, just as is the law regarding one who wears a Tallis that he owns. This applies even if he is borrowing it simply to wear out of Kavod/respect, such as to be Chazan or go to the Duchan and cases of the like, nevertheless a blessing must be recited prior to wearing it. [Nevertheless, the widespread custom today is not to recite a blessing over a Shul’s Tallis that is worn simply for Kavod purposes. Thus, if one desires to say a blessing and avoid all doubt, he should explicitly intend to fulfill the Mitzvah upon wearing the Shul’s Tallis for Kavod purposes and cover his head with the Tallis. If one does not desire to recite a blessing when wearing the Tallis for Kavod purposes, he is to borrow another person’s Tallis rather than to use the Shul’s Tallis and consequently enter himself into an obligation to say the blessing. Alternatively, he should give up his joint ownership of the Tallis prior to wearing it. Alternatively, the person who donates the Tallis to the Shul should stipulate beforehand that it is not considered owned  by the borrowers when they wear the Tallis for Kavod.]

 

1. Is a blessing recited when wearing a Tallis for the sake of Kavod?

• One is wearing a Tallis for the sake of being a Chazan, or Baal Korei, or to give a Derasha or to go up to the Duchan. Must a blessing be recited if he owns the Tallis, such as if it is his Tallis or the Tallis of the Shul? May a blessing be recited if he borrowed the Tallis from a friend?

A blessing is to be recited even when wearing a Tallis for Kavod purposes. Hence, if one owns the Tallis, or borrowed a Shul’s Tallis, he must recite a blessing prior to wearing it even if he is wearing it for Kavod purposes. If he borrowed a Tallis from a friend for this purpose, the blessing is optional. [However there is an opinion that rules it is questionable whether a blessing is allowed to be recited when wearing a Tallis for Kavod purposes without intent to fulfill the Mitzvah. Thus, if one desires to avoid all doubt, he should explicitly intend to fulfill the Mitzvah upon wearing the Tallis for Kavod purposes and cover his head with the Tallis.]

1. The law of the blessing when replacing a Tallis Katan/Gadol that was removed:

Replacing Tallis within three hours: A blessing is never repeated if one remained with a Tallis Katan at the time of removal, irrelevant to one’s intent at the time of removal. If one did not remain with a Tallis Katan at the time of removal, then if one had in mind to re-wear it within three hours, a blessing is not repeated. If one did not have in mind to re-wear it within three hours, the blessing must be repeated.

Replaced Tallis after three hours from removal: A blessing must be repeated in all circumstances. If one removed his Tallis Gadol between Shacharis and Musaf and is now replacing it, the blessing is not to be repeated unless three hours have passed in the interim. If one removed his Tallis Gadol after Musaf of Yom Kippur and is now replacing it for Mincha, the blessing is not to be repeated unless three hours have passed in the interim. If one removed his Tallis Gadol to go to the bathroom and is now replacing it, the blessing is not to be repeated. If one is re-wearing his Tallis for the sake of an afternoon Bris, such as if he is the Sandek or the Mohel or the father of the child, a blessing is not to be repeated over the Tallis. One is to have in mind at the time of the wearing by Shacharis to also include the wearing of the Tallis by the Bris. If one changed his Tallis Katan in order to play sports and is now replacing it, the blessing is not to be repeated unless three hours have passed in the interim, or he did not have intent to re-wear it afterwards. If one removed his Tallis Katan while swimming or showering and is now replacing it, the blessing is not to be repeated unless three hours have passed in the interim, or he did not have intent to re-wear it afterwards.

Tallis fell off: If ones Tallis fell off his body, the blessing is to be repeated prior to re-wearing it. This applies even if the Tallis remained on his arms or legs. However if it remained partially on his body [i.e. chest or back] then the blessing is not to be repeated. Upon re-wearing the Tallis one is to perform the Yishmaeli wrap with a blessing of Lehisatef, as is usually done when wearing the Tallis for the first time that day.

[1] See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws and Customs of Tzitzis” for the full details of this subject!