Dose of Halacha

Question: I often struggle to wear tzitzis over a vest, especially in the summer when it gets too hot. I’ve seen undershirt tzitzis that button up on the side. Can I wear these instead of a vest? Answer: The Rosh (Moed Katan 3:43) writes that underwear, such as vests, are not considered proper garments ( begadim ) for fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzis . R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:25) therefore rules that if one wears tzitzis specifically as an undershirt, they may not be obligated in tzitzis , and one should try to avoid doing so. R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 4:15:1) similarly writes that it is ideal not to wear tzitzis directly on the body, as this does not show proper kavod for the mitzva (see Piskei Teshuvos 8:n196). Nonetheless, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:11; n19) maintained that wearing tzitzis on one’s body is not considered a disgrace to the mitzva, noting that using one’s tzitzis to wipe one’s glasses would, howev...

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 th...

Question: Is it true that married men should not recite a beracha on tzitzis ? Answer: The Rema (OC 8:6) rules that one should recite the beracha ‘al mitzvas tzitzis’ prior to putting on a pair of tzitzis ( tallis katan ). The Mishna Berura (8:17) clarifies that this applies to a garment which one places over the head, as distinct from a tallis which is wrapped around the head ( atifa ) before being worn. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 8:13) states that if one dons one’s tallis shortly after putting on one’s tzitzis , a second beracha is not recited. Only where there is a significant hefsek between the two, such as walking to shul , should a second beracha be said (see Taz OC 8:11, Biur Hagra OC 8:25). Nevertheless, the Rema (Darkei Moshe OC 8:3), Mishna Berura (8:24), and Kaf Hachaim (OC 8:41) record that the prevailing minhag is for one who wears both tzitzis and a tallis to recite the beracha only when putting on the tallis , intending that it also include the tzitzis . ...