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  • Principles of Mitzva Observance

tzitzis

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Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Tammuz 6, 5777
Question
I do not understand what is the objection to sleeping with tzitzis or what one loses by doing so. If anything, he gains the following: (1) When he wakes up (after alos), he will already be wearing tzitzis. Each and every moment that one is wearing tzitzis (during the daytime) is a fulfillment of a mitzvas aseh from the Torah. (2) According to the Rosh, there is a mitzvah to wear them even at night, and therefore according to the Rosh he fulfills a mitzvah even when he is sleeping! (3) Arizal in Shaar Hakavanos Derush Arvis “One must be very careful not to remove the Tallis Katan. Not by day or by night”; Peri Eitz Chaim Shaar Hatzitzis 1 “Do not remove the Tallis Katan at any time, even when sleeping, with exception to the bathhouse.” (4) Sleeping with Tzitzis is a Segula to be saved from impurities and evil spirits. It is a great form of protection for the body and soul. Wearing a Tallis Katan helps reduce inner fear that one may experience. Or Tzadikim 26/11; Chida in Tziparon Shamir 8/20; Shaar Hakavanos p. 52b, Mishmeres Shalom 3/5
Answer
ב"ה Shalom, In the answer given by Rabbi Elchanan Lewis 12 years ago , I didn't see any opposition to wearing Tzizit at night. His answer was clear in explaining that wearing Tzizit at night is simply not something that would be given as spiritual guidance for every individual as he was told by his Rosh Yeshiva. There is not even the slightest suggestion to oppose the custom.(See also שבט הלוי חלק ח סי' קסג, who quotes the Shulchan Harav, who writes that wearing Tzizit at night is allowed, but did not write that it is a mitzvah) The Rema (סי' כא: ג) writes in the name of the Kol Bo that the custom is not to sleep with Tzizit, so that mitzvoth should not be disrespected .The Shelah Hakadosh, also wrote that wearing Tzizit at night is considered disgracing the Mitzva. As a result, many indeed do not wear tzizit at night. The Bet Yoseph, on the other hand wrote that he had never seen anyone who adhered to what the Kolbo wrote. The Magen Avraham quotes the custom of the Ari z"l who says specifically that one should wear Tzizit at night .However, the Magen Avraham says the proof brought from the fact that David Hamelech only saw himself "bare" of mitzvoth in the bathhouse, but did not see himself bare of mitzvoth at night time. Since, this can be refuted that the reason David Hamelech did not see himself bare of mitzvoth at night time, was because he was in a room with a mezuza. Therefore, the Magen Avraham surmises that it is from a Kabblastic source. Therefore, those who have the custom to wear Tzizit at night should continue to do so. All the best
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