Dose of Halacha

Question: I am single and do not wear a tallis while davening . Do I need to recite a beracha when I wear one to daven from the amud or for an aliya ? Answer: The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 91:2) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 147:4) state that one who receives an a liya (or any other kibbud ) should wear a tallis out of respect for the tzibbur. The Magen Avraham (14:1) quotes the Rosh, who indicates that one who wears a tallis to lead the davening or to duchen should recite a beracha . The Mishna Berura (14:11; Biur Halacha 14:3) addresses a machlokes regarding whether one should recite a beracha when borrowing a tallis . This issue specifically concerns borrowing a friend’s tallis. However, one does recite a beracha when wearing a tallis that belongs to the shul, as the tallis is partly considered his. He therefore suggests that it is preferable to borrow a friend’s tallis to avoid the safek of reciting a beracha (see Har Zvi OC 17) . Nevertheless, the Kaf Hachaim (OC 14:14,...

Question: Is it important to put on one’s tallis before one’s tefillin ? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 25:1) rules that one should don the tallis before the tefillin, citing two reasons. Firstly, the mitzva of tzitzis is considered equal to all other mitzvos. Secondly, we follow the principle of ‘ tadir ve’sheino tadir, tadir kodam, the mitzva that is performed more frequently takes precedence.’ Since we wear a tallis every day, but not tefillin on Shabbos and Yom Tov, the tallis is put on first. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 25:1) provides a third reason, explaining that we follow the rule of ‘ maalin bekodesh, we increase in aspects of holiness’. The Bach (OC 25:1) adds that wearing tzitzis serves as a reminder to perform other mitzvos, including tefillin . The Levush (OC 25:1) explains simply that one is obligated to wear tzitzis upon waking, whereas tefillin can only be worn once one is fully dressed. The Beis Yosef and Shulchan Aruch write that if one picks up their tefil...