Blankets have four corners. So, do they require tzitzis?
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asked Jun 3, 2010 at 6:15
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5 Answers
In SHU"T SHOEL UMASHIV he answers that according to the MORDECHAI only when a garment is worn in a way of clothing (DERECH LIVISHA) is one obligated in Tzitzis.
The SHUT of the MARSHAM adds that Tzitzis are meant to surround one on four sides so you could see them when looking in every one of the 4 directions. A blanket does not have that, which might be the reason we do not put Tzitzis on our blankets.
The main reason quoted is that a covering which is made for use at night does need Tzitzs (Kesus Laylah) and a blanket's main time of use is during the night.
answered Jun 3, 2010 at 6:24
The Sefer Hachinuch - in passing - brings up a discussion in the G'mara that concludes that they do. That is, if we assume 'blanket' and sadin to be equivalent.
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2Just out of interest you actually have tzitzis on your blankets? Jun 3, 2010 at 21:51
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I once saw someone with tzitzit on his blanket - but he was in a Chabad family whose practice was to wear tzitzit at night. I presume he didn't wear a talit katan, and relied on the blanket instead. Alternatively, he was a smart guy and he may have been subtly making a point about the halacha: the blanket is an archetypical 4-cornered garment, but you say it doesn't need tzitzit because it's reserved for sleeping. Then what about your talit katan, since the one you wear at night is also reserved for sleeping? Sep 5, 2011 at 11:26
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@JoeinAustralia The Shulchan Aruch Ha-Rav makes it clear that you must wear the your sleeping talit katan occasionally during the day, otherwise as a night only garment it wouldn't need tzitzis.– ArielNov 2, 2012 at 2:01
I think I remember seeing the Hazon Ish being Matir MeIkar HaDin to not place Sisit on the blanket.
Qiẓur Shulḥan 'Arukh - Yalqut Yosef (Oraḥ Ḥayim 18:9) states (my translation):
סדינים ושמיכות שיש בהם ארבע כנפות, אף שהאדם מתכסה בהם גם ביום, פטורים מציצית. ויש מי שכתב דנכון לחוש ולהחמיר בסדין של צמר, והמחמיר תבא עליו ברכה, אבל מעיקר הדין דעת מרן שגם בסדין של צמר פטור מציצית.
Sheets and blankets which have four corners, despite that one covers oneself with them during the day, do not require ẓiẓit. And there is one who wrote that it is proper to be stringent regarding a woolen sheet, and blessing should come upon one who is stringent. But, according to the letter of the law, the opinion of Maran [HaShulḥan 'Arukh] is that even a woolen sheet does not require ẓiẓit.
The Mishnah Berurah (Siman 17, S.Q. 8) brings, among other opinions, that of the Magen Avraham to round one corner to fulfill all opinions.
The Talmud (Menachoth, 40:1) says "Our Rabbis taught: A linen garment is, according to Beth Shammai, exempt from zizith; but Beth Hillel declare it liable. The halachah is in accordance with Beth Hillel"
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Hi Nissim. How does this answer the question, which wasn't referring to any specific material AFAICT.– Double AA ♦Aug 11, 2015 at 19:37
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The original term in the Talmud is 'Sadin' (סדין), which translates to bedsheet– NissimAug 11, 2015 at 19:39
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So the Talmud was discussing an argument about bedsheets? Why did the translation not reflect that? What was the basis of the argument between Beth Shammai and Beth Hillel about bedsheets?– Double AA ♦Aug 11, 2015 at 19:41
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On the next page (40:2) Rabbi Zera says that bedsheet doesn't need tzitzis because the passuk says 'that ye may look upon it' (וראיתם אותו) and he deducts that this part comes to teach us that nightware are exempt from tzitzis– NissimAug 11, 2015 at 19:46
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