Recap of Tekhelet Conference in Jerusalem

Thus marking the 100th anniversary of Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Halevi Herzog’s doctoral dissertation on the subject of tekhelet

http://www.jewishpress.com/blogs/life-in-israel-blogs/100-years-to-tekhelet-research/2013/12/31/

Linen Tzitziot

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 13-14: 

4. (beginning) Ziziyoth of linen may be affixed to a tallith of any sort of material except wool, since the mixture of linen and wool is prohibited in the Torah (it is called sha'atnez, cf. Devarim, 22:11).  {Our sages z'l (TB. Yevamoth, 4a) derive from the juxtapositioning of the prohibition of sha'atnez (ibid.) and one of the verses referring to the precept of ziziyoth (Devarim, 22:11) that} linen ziziyoth may only be affixed to a woolen tallith when the ziziyoth include the azure-coloured thread called techeleth  {and, since this is no longer available, linen may not be used for ziziyoth}. (after this there is a footnote re techelet which we will include BL"N in the next post).

However, it is correct to follow the opinion of those Authorities who say that linen should not be used for ziziyoth on any sort of tallith, because there are some types of wool that look very much like silk, and people might come to affix linen ziziyoth onto a woolen tallith by mistake, thinking that it is silk.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Leather Tallit?

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 13: 

3. A leather tallith does not require ziziyoth, according to any halachic Authority, since a garment which is not woven is not considered a garment, as far as the laws of zizith are concerned.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Beracha on Shul Tallit for the Shaliach Tzibur?

The following is taken from the Halacha for Today email list (Ben Olam Haba):

Question:

 

Should a Shliach Tzibur make a bracha on shul Talis before davening Mincha?  

Answer:

 

The Mishna Berura (Siman 14:11) Paskens that when a Shatz puts on a Shul Tallis to daven for the Amud he makes a Beracha. The reasoning is that the Shul tallis belongs to everyone, and thus it is "your" Tallis and requires a Bracha.

 

However, the Biur Halacha (Dibur HaMaschil "Sh'Ala )brings a few opinios that perhaps one does not make a Beracha on a Shul Tallis, especially if he isn't wrapping himself in it/putting it over his head, as then it is only being done for kavod Hatzibbur and not for Mitzvah of Tzitzis, as well as some other reasons.

 

Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal (Halichos Shlomo Vol. 2 Perk 1 Ha'arah 2) says that the minhag is not to make a bracha on a shul Tallis. He says that even those that are machmir by Shachris and Mincha, still do not make a Bracha by Maariv.

 

Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal says that it is best to have in mind when donning the Shul Tallis that you don't want to be "Zoche" in the Tallis, and then it won't be yours, and no Bracha is necessary.

 

The prevalent Minhag is indeed not to make a Bracha on a Shul Tallis, unless one is explicitly using it for the Mitzvah of tzitzis (such as one who forgot his tallis at home and is "borrowing" the Shuls Tallis)

Real Wool or Not?

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 13: 

2. {Not all fabrics which are commonly thought of as 'wool' are defined as such in Halachah.}  For example, kerman and cashmere are actually goats'-hair, and the Halachah does not regard the material woven from them as wool: a tallith of any of these sorts of material belongs to the second category discussed above in 1.

A G-d-fearing person should be careful to establish that the tallith that he is buying is really of sheeps'-wool, as sometimes goats'-hair, or even camel-hair, is passed off as wool.  It becomes even more difficult to identify what sort of material it is if the warp or the weft is actually of genuine wool, and the rest is of some other sort of material.  A tallith of this sort belongs to the third category discussed above (1), and problems are raised as to what sort of ziziyoth are to be used on it.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Conclusion on Different Materials

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 12-13: 

1. (continued) It should further be realised that an objection can be raised against all fabrics of this second category, in that some Authorities (Ba'al Ha'Ittur and Bah) are of the opinion that one may only recite a berachah over a woolen tallith which has woolen ziziyoth.  Although the final ruling does not follow that opinion, it should, nevertheless, be taken into account when deciding what sort of tallith is best to buy.

The third class of tallith is where the fabric of the tallith is woven from wool and some other material (i.e. the warp is of one sort of material, and the weft is of another).  A tallith of this type is particularly problematic since, according to those Authorities {R. Me'ir z'l, et al.} who rule that ziziyoth must be of the same material as the tallith, it is impossible to affix ziziyoth at all.  Here again {as in the case of a silk tallith}, we must rely on the opinion of Maran z'l, and at least fulfill the mizwah according to one view.

In conclusion, every G-d-fearing person should wear a woolen tallith (both tallith gadhol and tallith qatan), with woolen ziziyoth.  In this way it is possible to comply with the Torah obligation according to all views.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Silk Tallith - What Type of Tzitzit?

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 12: We will IY"H break up this entry over several days.

1. (continued) (The reason for this [not using silk tzitziot] is that some Authorities (Birke Yosef) require that the throwing and reeling of the silk {i.e. two stages in its manufacture} be done lishmah, corresponding to the processes of spinning and drawing in the manufacture of wool {which all Authorities agree must be done lishmah}.  Even though it would appear that the Terumath Ha-Deshen z'l does not agree to this, a difference of opinion still remains on the subject and, moreover, Maran z'l may well agree with the former, and more stringent, opinion, and we should make every effort to take it into consideration. Therefore, if correctly made-silk ziziyoth are unobtainable, it is preferable to use ziziyoth made of wool, relying on the basic ruling of Maran z'l that woolen ziziyoth may be used on a tallith of any material {even though this means disregarding the ruling of R. Meir of Rothenburg that the ziziyoth must be of the same material as the tallith, no other solution to the problem can be found}.)

In conclusion, we see that a silk tallith, apart from only requiring ziziyoth mi-deRabbanan {according to some opinions}, has the added disadvantage that the ruling over which material should be used for the ziziyoth is a point of controversy.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Type of Tzitzit on Non-Woolen Tallit

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 11-12: We will IY"H break up this entry over several days.

1. (continued) However, the question of what sort of ziziyoth to use on a tallith of this category raises some problems.  On a cotton tallith, it is best to use cotton ziziyoth.

(Although Maran z'l is of the opinion that woolen ziziyoth may be affixed to a tallith of any sort of material, there is another opinion (R. Me'ir z'l of Rothenburg) that the ziziyoth must be of the same material as the tallith itself.  In order to avoid this controversy, one should make the ziziyoth of the same material as the tallith {which Maran z'l would also agree is kasher}.)

However, if the tallith is made of silk, it is preferable to use ziziyoth made of wool, since it is very difficult to ensure that the silk ziziyoth have been made in accordance with all opinions.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Non-Woolen Tallitot - DeOrayta or DeRabbanan?

About this learning series

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 11: We will IY"H break up this entry over several days.

1. (continued) The second class of tallith includes those made of any sort of material, such as cotton, silk, {or canvas}.  There is a difference of opinion amongst the Authorities as to whether a tallith of this sort requires ziziyoth mi-diOraitha, or whether it is only mi-deRabbanan {i.e. a ruling intended to ensure that nobody should ever make the mistake of assuming that, since a tallith of some other material does not require ziziyoth, neither does a woolen tallith}.  Nevertheless, even according to those Authorities who say that it is only mideRabbanan, a berachah may still be recited over such a tallith, just as over all mizwoth deRabbanan.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Material from which to make a Tallith - Wool is MideOraitha

With H-shem's help, we are learning Hilchot Tzitzit with the Ben Ish Chai, Hacham Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad. The sefer is translated by Shmuel Hiley and published by Yeshivath Ahavath Shalom Publications in Jerusalem 5765/2005. He calls the names of the Chapters by the names of Parashiot, so instead of Chapter One, the first chapter is called Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth. Please note these are for learning purposes only.  For the halacha lemaaseh, i.e. for what to do yourself please ask your own Rav.  

Parashath Noah, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 11: We will IY"H break up this entry over several days.

1. The Halachah recognises three different categories of material from which a tallith may be made: wool; other fabrics; and admixtures of different materials.

All Authorities concur that a woolen tallith requires ziziyoth, mideOraitha.  When one wears a woolen tallith with woolen ziziyoth, one fulfills the positive commandment of zizith according to all requirements.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Trying on a Garment

With H-shem's help, we have begun learning Hilchot Tzitzit with the Ben Ish Chai, Hacham Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad. The sefer is translated by Shmuel Hiley and published by Yeshivath Ahavath Shalom Publications in Jerusalem 5765/2005. He calls the names of the Chapters by the names of Parashiot, so instead of Chapter One, the first chapter is called Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth. Please note these are for learning purposes only.  For the halacha lemaaseh, i.e. for what to do yourself please ask your own Rav.  

Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 9-10: This is the last part of this entry.

10 (continued). Ibid. (2) It is permissible to try on for size a garment to which ziziyoth have not yet been affixed.  It is also permissible to demonstrate to others how to correctly put on a tallith, even though it has no ziziyoth, and even though it belongs to the person who is putting it on.  It should also be noted that, when one demonstrates how to put on a tlalith, even though it has ziziyoth, one may still not recite a berachah over it.]

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

More Hilchot Tzitzit Videos

Rabbi Moretov seems to have posted more of them on http://torahanytime.com

Here they are:

http://www.torahanytime.com/video/halachot-of-tzitzit-part-4/

http://www.torahanytime.com/video/halachot-of-tzitzis-part-5/

Enjoy!!

Video Series on Hilchot Tzitzit

I was happy to see that there is a new series now on TorahAnytime.com about the halachot of tzitzit according to Maran, HaRav Ovadia Yosef ztz'l by Rabbi Moshe Moretov

http://www.torahanytime.com/video/halachot-of-tzitzit-part-1/

http://www.torahanytime.com/video/halachot-of-tzitzit-part-2/

http://www.torahanytime.com/video/hilchot-tzitzit-part-3/

I don't know if he plans on putting any more after this but I guess stay tuned...:)

If the Tallit Falls Off

With H-shem's help, we have begun learning Hilchot Tzitzit with the Ben Ish Chai, Hacham Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad. The sefer is translated by Shmuel Hiley and published by Yeshivath Ahavath Shalom Publications in Jerusalem 5765/2005. He calls the names of the Chapters by the names of Parashiot, so instead of Chapter One, the first chapter is called Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth. Please note these are for learning purposes only.  For the halacha lemaaseh, i.e. for what to do yourself please ask your own Rav.  

Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 9: This is a long entry so we will break it up over a few days, BE"H

10 (continued). However, if one were standing on a balcony, and the tallith falls from there into the courtyard below, and one has to go and get it, or to signal to others to retrieve it, thus causing a long delay, and possible distraction, between the berachah and the action of putting on the tallith, there are grounds to rule that one may recite the berachah again.  Nevertheless, after taking into account the severity of pronouncing G-d's name in the berachah, when it could possibly not be necessary, I would be inclined to rule that it is preferable to refrain from repeating the berachah.  It would be a good idea, however, to recite the berachah in one's mind, without pronouncing the words out loud.

[Odh Yosef Hai (3) If the tallith slips off completely, one must repeat the berachah, when one puts it back on again.  If it did not fall off completely, one should not repeat the berachah, when putting it back on.

The Poseqim HaAharonim write that, if the tallith falls off when one was praying the amidah, and others picked it up and covered one with it, one should touch the zizith and recite the berachah, after concluding the prayer.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Putting on the Tallit Properly

With H-shem's help, we have begun learning Hilchot Tzitzit with the Ben Ish Chai, Hacham Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad. The sefer is translated by Shmuel Hiley and published by Yeshivath Ahavath Shalom Publications in Jerusalem 5765/2005. He calls the names of the Chapters by the names of Parashiot, so instead of Chapter One, the first chapter is called Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth. Please note these are for learning purposes only.  For the halacha lemaaseh, i.e. for what to do yourself please ask your own Rav.  

Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 8-9: This is a long entry so we will break it up over a few days, BE"H

10 (continued). I would also like to add here an open reprimand to those who, after reciting the berachah over the tallith gadhol in the morning, cover their heads with it for no more than a second or so and, from then on, wear it only over their shoulders.  By doing this, they have never put the tallith on correctly, and the berachah which they recited over it was in vain.  It is therefore important to leave the head covered by the tallith {after reciting the berachah, and having completed the sequence described above, 5} for at least the length of time that it takes to walk four ammoth.

Ibid. (4) If one drops the tallith after having recited the berachah over it, before putting it on, one may still put it on, and one does not have to repeat the berachah (Ma'amar Mordechai z'l, 17, et al.).

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.

Removing the Tallit

With H-shem's help, we have begun learning Hilchot Tzitzit with the Ben Ish Chai, Hacham Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad. The sefer is translated by Shmuel Hiley and published by Yeshivath Ahavath Shalom Publications in Jerusalem 5765/2005. He calls the names of the Chapters by the names of Parashiot, so instead of Chapter One, the first chapter is called Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth. Please note these are for learning purposes only.  For the halacha lemaaseh, i.e. for what to do yourself please ask your own Rav.  

Parashath Bereshith, Laws of Ziziyoth, Page 8: This is a long entry so we will break it up over a few days, BE"H

10 (continued). [Odh Yosef Hai (6) Our teacher R. Hayyim Wital z'l writes in Sha'ar Ha-Kawwanoth (Sedher Nusah Ha-Tefillah, page 51d) 'One should take off the tefillin shel rosh and put them away in their bag, and then sit down and take off the tefillin shel yadh whilst sitting... only then should one take off the tallith.  Sometimes, when it was very hot, my teacher {the Ari} z'l used to slip the tallith off his head, and leave it on his shoulders, once he had taken off the tefillin shel rosh.  After that, he would take off the tefillin shel yadh and, only after that would he take off the tallith itself, completely.'

We learn from here that, as long as one is wearing the tefillin shel rosh, one should not remove the tallith from one's head.    Those who are accustomed to slip their tallith off their head in hot weather are not acting correctly, even if they are careful to cover their heads with the tallith when they pray the 'amidah.  However, on Shabbath and on Yom Tov, when tefillin are not worn, there is no reason why one may not slip the tallith off one's head, and drape it over one's shoulders, once one has completed the amidhah.

This learning should be in memory of Maran, HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef, ztz'l.