Wool Tzitzis

Question: I find it very uncomfortable to wear wool tzitzis in the Summer. Can I wear cotton or polyester ones instead?

Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 39b) cites a machlokes as to whether the obligation to attach tzitzis to a silk garment is mideoraisa or miderabanan. Rambam (Tzitzis 3:1, 2) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 9:1) write that only wool and linen garments are obligated mideoraisa, while the Rema writes that all garments are obligated mideoraisa.

The Levush (10:4) and Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 10:7) explain that a non-woven garment is not considered to be a begged.

While Ashkenazim generally follow the Rema, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 9:4) and the Mishna Berura (9:5) write that it is best to wear wool tzitzis in order to fulfil the mitzva according to all opinions. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:n25) adds that one fulfils the mitzva even if one is a little uncomfortable wearing them in the Summer (See Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:18).

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:2; 2:1) writes one should try their utmost to wear wool tzitzis. Just as leather does not require tzitzis as it is not considered to be a begged, nor do garments made from synthetic materials. However, R’ Zvi Pesach Frank (Har Zvi 1:9) and R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (See Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:n25), disagree, writing that if the material is woven, it is different from leather, and will require tzitzis. R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 12:3) writes that while such a garment would require tzitzis, one should not recite a beracha over wearing such a pair.

In conclusion, one should try one’s utmost to wear wool tzitzis. One could wear cotton tzitzis if necessary, though should only wear polyester tzitzis as a last resort.