Tzitzis worn directly on the body

Question

Are Tzitzis allowed to be worn directly on the body?

Answer 1

I am not adding anything lehalacha, but the siach yitzchok could agree that the old-time garments were worn on the body. However, now that we wear special garments m'yuchad for tzitzis, it would be a bizayon to the mitzva to wear that on the body. (No source, just my own idea.)

Answer 2

Halacha Berurah (8:33) rules that it's good wear something under the tallit kattan in order to separate it from the body, but me'ikar hadin it's permissable to wear the tallit kattan without another garment underneath.

Answer 3

Reb Shlomo Zalman Aurbach in his HALICHOS SHLOMO (Hilchos Tztzis Perek Gimmel SIF KATAN YUD ALEPH) says it is allowed.

This answers a simple question that if the original takanah of Tzitzis was on clothes (it is only today that we wear a special garment to obligate ourselves), you would not be allowed to put it on regular clothes either as one's clothes absorbs sweat.

Answer 4

I don't know if this directly addresses the issue or not.

Shulchan Aruch says that the Tzitzis should be worn on the outside, so that they can be seen.

For Kabalistic reasons, the Ari Z"l would wear his tzitzis under all his garments (this seems to indicate that he wore them directly on his skin).

In an effort to go follow both opinions, Chabad Chassidim wear them under their shirt, but over an undershirt. Other Chassidim wear them over their shirt, but under a vest.

One source. also see this source for more details.

Answer 5

שאלה - 68711 לכבוד הרב מוצפי שליט"א:

האם מותר להשים ציצית על הגוף ללא גופיה מתחת?.. תשובה אם יש סיבה לכך, מותר.

Rav Mutzafi says "if there is a reason for it, it is Mutar."

שאלה - 8105 האם מותר לילד ללבוש ציצית על הגוף בלי גופיה מתחת? תשובה אם קשה לו בגופיה _ מותר.

And in another place he writes "if it is hard for him, it is permitted."

שאלה - 8105 האם מותר לילד ללבוש ציצית על הגוף בלי גופיה מתחת? תשובה אם קשה לו בגופיה _ מותר.

Answer 6

The Siach Yitchok in Siman Ches says it is Assur because it is an embarrassment to the Mitzvah that its being used as a sweat absorber.