Fallen Tallis

Question: My tallis falls off sometimes, especially when I am putting on my tefillin. Do I need to recite the beracha again?

Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 8:17) writes that there is a machlokes among the rishonim as to whether one recites a new beracha upon replacing a fallen tallis. In the Shulchan Aruch (OC 8:15), he writes that one does recite a new beracha.

The Machatzis Hashekel (OC 8:20) and R’ Sholom Mordechai Schwadron (Maharsham 4:148) suggest that if one was wearing a tallis katan, then one should not recite a second beracha as the first beracha would apply to one’s tallis katan, too. However, the Mishna Berura (8:39) writes that it makes no difference whether one is wearing a tallis katan or not.

R’ Moshe Stern (Baer Moshe 6:9) quotes R’ Meir Arik (Imrei Yosher 2:9) who writes that if one feels their tallis fall off and intends to put it back on, one does not recite another beracha as there was never any hesech hadaas (distraction from the mitzva).

R’ Akiva Eiger (OC 8:26) adds that one only needs to recite a new beracha if it fell off after davening. While one is davening, it is assumed that there was no hesech hadaas. Similarly, the Magen Avraham (25:21) quotes the Shelah who explains that we no longer recite a new beracha upon straightening tefillin as when davening one is considered to be occupied in the mitzva of tefillin (see Mishna Berura 25:44).

The Kaf Hachaim (OC 8:58) writes that due to the machlokes we follow the rule safek berachos lehakel, we are lenient with regards to berachos. Therefore, one does not repeat the beracha (see Pri Megadim, Mishbetzos Zahav OC 8:14). Likewise, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Tefilla 3:14) maintains that one does not repeat the beracha unless it fell off after davening and one wants to keep wearing it.

In conclusion, if one’s tallis falls off during davening, one should replace it without repeating the beracha.