How to Check that Tzitzit are Kosher

Tzitzit are strings attached to small four-cornered garments that are worn under regular shirts. They are also found on the corners of prayer shawls. Religious Jewish men wear tzitzit because it is written in the Torah that one should wear tzitzit to remember all of the commandments in the Torah. It is very important to check that your tzitzit are kosher before putting on your tallit katan (four-corned undershirt) or tallit gadol (prayer shawl.)

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check that your tzitzit are kosher every morning before putting them on and saying the blessing (found in a Jewish prayer book.) If your tzitzit are not kosher, you are not fulfilling the commandment for wearing tzitzit.
2. Make sure each corner of your tallit katan (four-cornered undershirt) or tallit gadol (prayer shawl) has two tzitzit, each containing eight strings with five knots at the top. There should be eight tzitzit in total. If one string is broken or damaged, it should be replaced immediately. You will want to ask a rabbi if you can still wear the tzitzit. If more than one string is missing, the tzitzit are not kosher to wear.
3. Examine your tzitzit for five knots down the side. If one knot is unraveled, the tzitzit are still kosher, but make sure that the other knots are in place. Keep tightening your knots so they won't become unraveled.
4. Replace tzitzit if one of the strings is less than an inch long. They may still be kosher, but if two or more strings are not at least an inch long, the tzitzit should not be worn.
5. Disentangle strings that have become twisted. Every string represents a commandment in the Torah and should not become entangled with another string. Caution in this matter shows respect for the commandments.

Tips & Warnings

• Have on hand an extra pair of tzitzit in case your regular pair is no longer kosher. You will have a pair to wear during the day and will not have to rush to the store to have the tzitzit repaired.
• Buy your tzitzit from a reliable religious seller so you can be confident your tzitzit are kosher.
• Consult with your rabbi concerning his opinion on techelet, a blue thread found on some pairs of tzitzit. While this blue thread is considered kosher by many rabbis, others disagree.