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There seems to be some misunderstanding/machlokes (disagreement) on how you should wear your tzitzis - with the strings sticking out or tucked in. What's the proper way?

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3 Answers

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The Mishna Berura seems unclear. The bottem line is: if you will be wearing them sticking out of your pants (which many gedolim (great rabbis) did and still do) then you should do it in a way that it won't cause a chillul hashem. If you live in a neighborhood which is full of frum jews, it shouldn't be an issue because even though there are gentiles there, they are used to the jews way of dressing.

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It may not be an issue even in other areas. From personal experience, I have visited (in the course of my work) various corporate and government offices across the country, wearing tzitzis sticking out (and also a yarmulka and a full beard), and have always been treated most courteously. (Occasionally I've gotten questioned - respectfully, though - about what they are; but most people haven't even paid attention.) – Alex Jan 1 '10 at 16:45
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The Mishnah Berurah is most definitely not ambiguous about it. He unabashedly condemns those who tuck them in, saying ועתידין הן ליתן את הדין על זה (and he goes on a further rant against those who use the excuse of being among gentiles)! (Full disclosure - Until a few minutes ago, I knew about the "Din" part of the M"B's statement, but I'd forgotten about the condemnation being extended against those who feel it's hard to do among non-Jews, and I'd relied upon that; I'm now rethinking that choice myself!) – Seth J Jul 20 '11 at 17:25
up vote 6 down vote

An interesting thread about the subject can be found here : Wearing your Tztzis out?

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up vote 2 down vote

HUGE disagreement among the Poskim. Don't want to get too deep into it, but here is the summary (there are also different Pesakim in different cases- for all the details Yalkut Yosef is recommended):

  • According to the Shulhan Aruch clearly (Orah Haim 8:11, 24:1) they Lechatehila should be revealed.
  • Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechawe Daat 2:1) holds the Tzitziot must be tucked in (see Halacha Berura ch.8, Yalkut Yosef ch. 8 and Or Lesion 2:2:2).
  • Rav Yaakov Hilel writes (Gevurat HaAri pg. 137) that the Tzitziot must be revealed based on the Arizal (Shaar Hakawanot 7c and Olat Tamid 39a).
  • According to the Hafes Haim they must be revealed and he is very harsh about this (Mishna Berura 8:26).
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he says it is like a King gives you a Royal Medallion and you will not wear it I don't think he gives Allegories any where else to explain an Halacha I always found that intriguing – simchastorah Jan 24 '12 at 5:05
I find it interesting that you cite SA on the one hand and Rav Ovadya Yosef on the other. An unusual pair of chol'kim. – msh210♦ Jan 24 '12 at 5:38
@msh210 that's why I get confused on Rav Ovadia's Piske Halachot sometimes. – Hacham Gabriel Jan 24 '12 at 13:35
@msh210 just today read in Rav Ovadia's Sefer "Livyat Hen" where is actually Matir something the Mehaber is Oser. – Hacham Gabriel Jan 25 '12 at 0:42

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