Question: Is there a preference to wearing woollen tzitzis?
Am I allowed to remove my tzitzis if I’m hot in the summer?
Answer:
While according to the Torah one only needs to place tzitzis on a four
cornered garment if one wears one, the Gemara (Menachos 41a) writes that should
wear them at all times. The poskim (Aruch Hashulchan OC 8:2; Yechaveh
Daas 4:2) write that it has become the accepted custom to wear tzitzis
(on a tallis katan) throughout the day. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros
Moshe OC 4:4) emphasises its importance, writing that it now forms part of the mesorah
and R’ Binyamin Zilber (Az Nidberu 2:55) argues that wearing tzitzis is part
of the actual mitzva.
There is a machlokes
between the Shulchan Aruch (OC 9:1) and Rema as to whether non woollen (or
linen) garments are obligated to have tzitzis attached mideoraisa. As
sefardim generally follow the Shulchan Aruch, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yalkut
Yosef 9:1) writes that one should try their utmost to wear woollen tzitzis even
when it’s hot. While ashkenazim generally follow the Rema who writes
that the mitzva applies to all materials, the Mishna Berura (9:5) writes
that it is best to wear woollen tzitzis (See Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:25). R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 2:1)
writes that one who is uncomfortable wearing woollen tzitzis in the
heat, can rely on the Rema and wear a cotton pair.
Nonetheless, it is reported that both the
Vilna Gaon (Maaseh Rav:
Birchos Hashachar 17) and the Chazon Ish (Shoneh Halachos 9:1) wore non-wool tzitzis
(See Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:18).
While R’ Zvi Pesach Frank (Har Tzvi 1:9) writes
that garments made from synthetic materials such as polyester require tzitzis, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 2:1)
writes that they don’t (like leather). Thus, R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 12:3) writes that one shouldn’t make
a beracha over wearing such a pair.
R’ Binyamin
Zilber (Az Nidberu 2:55) writes that one must wear tzitzis even while
playing sports (See Piskei Teshuvos 24:1).
R’ Ephraim
Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 4:15) questions whether it is appropriate to wear
them directly on one’s skin like an undergarment. Elsewhere (Rivevos
Ephraim 7:265), he writes that R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv allowed people
to remove their tzitzis on a particularly hot day (See
Tzitz Eliezer 14:49:2).
In
conclusion, many hold that there is a preference to wearing woollen tzitzis.
One should wear tzitzis at all times under normal circumstances, only removing them if they are causing distress.
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