Beracha on a Borrowed Tallis

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 aliya (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, quoting the Ben Ish Chai), R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:12), R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 5:14:2), and R’ Menashe Klein (Mishne Halachos 9:234) maintain that one does not recite a beracha even when wearing a shul tallis for an aliya

. R’ Greenblatt explains that the shul tallis was not necessarily purchased on behalf of the shul members but was likely an old tallis that someone no longer needed.

In conclusion, one recites a beracha when wearing their own tallis. However, one who borrows a tallis to daven for the amud or for an aliya does not recite a beracha.

Tallis Before Tefillin

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 tefillin first, they should put them on first, adhering to the rule of ‘ein maavirin al hamitzvos¸ one does not pass over an opportunity to perform a mitzva’. Therefore, it is advisable to arrange the tallis bag so that the tallis is reached first.

The Shaagas Aryeh (28) challenges these reasons, arguing that unlike tefillin¸ the mitzva to wear a tallis is not obligatory in the same way tefillin are. Additionally, maalin bekodesh does not apply when dealing with two separate mitzvos. Instead, the holier mitzva should take precedence (see Dagul Merevava OC 25:1).

However, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 25:1) and Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 25:1) explain that maalin bekodesh refers to the ascending process of kedusha that we undergo, starting with wrapping ourselves in a tallis and then donning tefillin.

The Ben Ish Chai (Torah Lishma 1) adds that there are kabbalistic reasons for putting on the tallis first. As such, if one put on their tefillin first, they should remove them to put on their tallis first (see Kaf Hachaim OC 25:1). However, other poskim disagree (Aruch Hashulchan OC 25:3; Mishna Berura 25:5).

In conclusion, it is important to put on one’s tallis before putting on one’s tefillin.