I'm pretty sure I once saw the Mishna Brura talk about how it's best not to cut tzitzis with metal and that there's a custom to cut tzitzis strings with your teeth. But now, although I keep searching through O.C. Siman 11, I can't seem to find it. Can anyone come up with marei mekomos?
asked Aug 20, 2011 at 21:35
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2would a ceramic blade knife be also an acceptable alternative to teeth and metal? Ceramic blades are made out of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2)– user1111Commented Dec 23, 2011 at 17:59
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1@TzitzMan, welcome to Judaism.SE! If you have a follow-up question, please consider posting it as a question, rather than as an answer. Also, please consider registering your account, which will give you access to more of the site's features, including leaving comments like this one.– Isaac Moses ♦Commented Dec 23, 2011 at 18:10
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2@TzitzMan Yes, you can use a ceramic blade, and it is how most companies today cut their tzizit.– aviCommented Dec 24, 2011 at 16:24
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@Ben ShmuelBrill gave you the Mare Makom in the Mishna Berura– Hacham GabrielCommented Dec 25, 2011 at 1:26
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4 Answers
Look in Mogen Avraham sif katan 18 and Shulchan Aruch Harav (11:24) where it says that one should not cut Tzitzis with metal (like a Mizbeyach (Altar)) but cut them with his teeth.
It's also in the Mishna Brura s"k 61
answered Aug 21, 2011 at 4:42
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1I was also told a flame is OK; I use a candle. Easier and neater than teeth. Commented Oct 27, 2011 at 13:57
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What did the rishonim hold? Was this discussed before the achronim?– YehoshuaCommented Feb 28, 2016 at 12:44
The Yalqut Yosef may write that it is better not, but if one needs to he may. I think the Ben Ish Hai brings the Rashash who writes to refrain from doing so.
Kaf HaHaim Palagi (Siman 10:12) writes that one should not cut the Sisit with metal because of "Lo tanif aleyhen barzel." See Kisur HaShela 53b.
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What did the rishonim hold? Was this discussed before the achronim?– YehoshuaCommented Feb 28, 2016 at 12:44
Shulchan Aruch HaRav Chapter 11 section 24
It is preferable to make a point of not cutting tzitzis with a knife, recalling the command, “Do not raise iron upon them.” Instead, one should bite them off with the teeth.
(From Chabad.org)
