If the side of one’s Tallis tore and now contains more than four corners, is one to avoid wearing it?
If the Tallis did not tear in majority of its length or width, then one may wear it as usual.[1] If however the Tallis tore in majority of its length or width then some Poskim[2] rule one is to immediately fix the Tallis and resew the tear.[3] Accordingly, one may not wear this Tallis with a blessing until it is sewn.[4] Some Poskim[5] rule one is required to undo all the Tzitzis and retie them after the tear is sewn, and the extra corners invalidated. Other Poskim[6] however rule one is not required to undo the Tzitzis and the mere sewing suffices, and so is the ruling of Admur.[7] This law applies likewise if the Tallis Katan tore in the neck hole and the tear extends for majority of the length.[8] Ruling of Admur in Siddur:[9] According to Admur in the Siddur one is never required to resew the tear of a Tallis even if the tear forms more than four corners, unless the piece tore to the point that it is less than 6 cm attached, or is near the corner, as explained in Halacha 13B. See there! |
[1] As a corner is only defined as a Halachic corner if it is split for majority of the length of the Tallis, as explained in Halacha 6.
[2] Chesed Lealafim 10:4; Ben Ish Chaiy Noach 8; Kaf Hachaim 10:7
[3] The reason: As this Tallis now contains more than 4 corners which is initially not to be done, as explained above.
[4] So rules regarding any 5 cornered garment: Kaf Hachaim 10:1 in name of Pnei Yitzchak; Chidushei Harim 1
[5] Chesed Lealafim 10:4; Ben Ish Chaiy Noach 8; Kaf Hachaim 10:7
[6] Toras Chaim Sofer 10:1; Makor Chaim of Chavos Yair; Piskeiy Teshuvos 10:2 footnote 15
[7] Admur 15:10 and in Siddur rules that so long as 6 cm remain attached it may be resewed with the Tzitzis.
[8] M”B 10:3 in name of Peri Megadim
[9] Siddur Admur [letter 20 in Raskin] in stringent opinion of Tosafus that when it retains 6 cm “It is then valid even without sewing”; Ketzos Hashulchan 6:10
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