Black Stripes on the Tallis

Question: I am buying my first tallis. The shopkeeper told me that as an Ashkenazi, I should choose one with black stripes. What is the reason for this?

Answer: Rambam (Tzitzis 2:8) and Rashi (Menachos 41b) write that the tzitzis should be the same colour as the tallis. For example, if the tallis were red, the tzitzis would also be red. The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 9:9) explains, based on the Torah’s wording, that the tzitzis should match the corner of the garment in both colour and material. This implies that not only the material but also the colour of the tzitzis should be similar to that of the tallis.

Tosafos (Menachos 41b), however, disagrees. They explain that there is certainly no Torah requirement for this practice, although it may be connected to the idea of ‘zeh eli ve’anveihu’ beautifying the mitzva. Similarly, the Rashba (3:280) holds that there is no such obligation.

The Shulchan Aruch Harav and Magen Avraham (9:6), quoting the Bach (OC 9:3), writes that the tallis should ideally be white, reflecting the vision described in Daniel (7:9), where Hashem’s clothing is said to be “white as snow” (see Taz OC 9:8).

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 9:5) notes that some poskim maintain that the tzitzis should match the tallis, and that those who are meticulous follow this approach. The Rema adds that the Ashkenazi minhag is to use white tzitzis regardless of the colour of the garment, and he concludes that “one may not depart from this custom.”

The Elya Raba (9:5), Pri Megadim (Eshel Avraham OC 9:6) and Mishna Berura (9:16) all mention the established minhag of placing dark stripes along the edge of the tallis to serve as a reminder of the techeiles (see Leket Yosher p12; Minhag Yisroel Torah OC 9:2).

However, the Chida (Birkei Yosef, Shiyurei Beracha 9:2) and Shaarei Teshuva (9:2) cite the Maharshal (Yam Shel Shlomo, Yevamos 1:3), who writes that the tallis should be entirely white, without any black stripes. For this reason, many Sefardim are particular to wear a tallis that is completely white (see Kaf Hachaim OC 9:15).

In conclusion, the widespread Ashkenazi custom is to wear a white tallis with black or dark blue stripes, while many Sefardim maintain the practice of wearing a tallis that is entirely white.

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