I have recently decided to take
up the mitzot of wearing tzitzit. Since I did not know the
specifics I wrote to Mr. Kivel about how to deal with them.
If you are considering wearing tzitzit this will probably
be usefull to you.
I wrote:
I bought tzitzit today. It's a cotton garment that I plan
to wear under my clothing. I'm not aware of the specifics
of how one is supposed to deal with them. I know that there
are prayers where you kiss them, but I know nothing about
any of that. Could you give me some pointers? Do you have
to take them off before entering a bathroom? How often should
I wash it? Is polyester an acceptable cloth if I decide to
get the mesh one next time?
He responded.
*Your garment is a tallit katan (sometimes called an arba
kanfot - 4 corners) - it's the practical way for a person
to wear tzitzit throughout the day (see the book of Numbers
to find the scriptural verse that talks about tzitzit). They
are major Jewish ritualware and part of Jewish spiritual technology
that not everyone knows about. Make a point to learn more
about it - if you wear it expect to get a fair amount of questions
and comments form Jews AND non-Jews!
*Ideally you wear it under a shirt so the fringes extend so
they can be seen (by you and anyone else looking) - be careful
if you do this and you're around machinery because, really,
the tzitzit could get caught in a machine and (G-d forbid)
you could have a not nice result!
*It should be put on in the morning and taken off before you
go to sleep - it can be worn in the restroom but be sure to
keep the fringes clean and dry.
When you put it on, in the morning, after your underwear and
before your shirt, you should recite a short verse - "By
virtue of wearing this tallit katan, I hereby take upon myself
the yoke of Torah as embodied in the 613 mitzvot!"
*If you will later put on a regular tallit to davven Shachrit,
you DO NOT recite a formal blessing. If not, you might say
[in ENglish or Hebrew] Boruch Ata Ad-nai El-henu, Melech HaOlam,
asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al mitzvah tzitzit.
(Blessed Are You, HaShem Our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, Who
makes us holy through mitzvot and commands us concerning the
mitzvah of tzitzit).
*It is important, if you will wear the tallit katan on a regular
basis, that you pause on occasion during the day, look at
the tzitzit and remember that you are wearing a symbol of
your love and commitment for/to G-d and Torah.
*When you feel pulled (as everyone does) to wander down tempting
(but inappropriate) paths the strings will help "bind"
you to the One Who Always Loves You....feel them and look
at them - they bind you to all of Israel and G-d....
*The washing should occur as often as you'd wash a tee shirt
- you may want to roll the tallit katan up in a mesh bag and
wash it in the bag to protect the tzitzit - you can dry it
in the bag as well - follow the wash and dry instructions
on the item.
After it has been washed and dried, check to make sure all
the knots and windings and threads are intact...
Enjoy! (smile)
Moshe Aharon
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