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Answer: The first candidate for prohibition is the melacha of koreiah (tearing/cutting material). The mishna (Shabbat 73a) describes the case as being done to subsequently sew up, but the Rambam (Shabbat 10:10) indicates that it applies whenever the tearing has a positive outcome (see Be’ur Halacha to 340:14).
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
615 - Ask the Rabbi: Wearing a Kippa in Today’s US Social Atmosphere
616 - Ask the Rabbi: Cutting Off Threads
617 - Ask the Rabbi: The Transition from Shabbat into Tisha B’av
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On the other hand, one is severing part of the garment, which is thereby improved. Location and context can make a difference. If one cuts off strings at the edges, it may violate the melacha of mechatech (Be’ur Halacha to 340:13 in the name of the Yerushalmi – a less than authoritative source applies that prohibition to our case). SSK (15:66) forbids removing a string of warp or woof from a woven fabric as potzeia (the opposite of weaving). Orchot Shabbat (11:(26), and citing communication with Rav N. Karelitz) makes a distinction for leniency in our case. The string protruding from a garment is not considered a part of the fabric, and so cutting it, even close to the garment, relates only to the thread. This is different from the leftover stitching from a button that fell or pieces of wool that protrude from the fabric, where they are more significantly interconnected and many forbid removing them (see SSK 15:68; Orchot Shabbat 11:18). The case for leniency is bolstered by the opinion (Be’ur Halacha ibid.) that koreiah is when both sides of the rip are used afterwards, and perhaps it is not even Rabbinic koreiah when this is not so (Chut Shani, Shabbat I, p. 142).
Sometimes it is permitted to cut string around a utensil even when the cutting facilitates using the utensil (Shulchan Aruch, OC 314:8). However, that is a special leniency that applies to destroying an impediment that is preventing one to get to food (see Chazon Ish, OC 51:13). One cannot learn from there to cutting a string in order to beautify the thing to which it is attached.
Another potential problem is makeh b’patish (=mbp), a Torah-level prohibition of doing a final stage of preparing a utensil, or the related Rabbinic prohibition of tikkun mana. In other words, a suit with uncut threads from its sewing is a not fully ready-to-wear suit. The gemara (Shabbat 48a) forbids on the Torah-level opening the knots that are made to the collar area of a cloak, and Rashi (ad loc.) explains that this is mbp. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 302:2) forbids purposely removing the pills that formed on clothing as mbp. The more serious the imperfection, the more likely it is that it might be considered mbp/tikkun mana. Since in the garment industry, one of the final things that was classically done before sending the suit to market is "thread trimming," it is quite plausible that the cutting would be mbp, especially regarding a new suit where the thread always stuck out. On the other hand, while poskim debate whether and when one may remove a label from a suit (SSK 15:79; Orchot Shabbat 11:13), they do not consider it mbp, even though it is something one always does before wearing it. There are differences with this case (see ibid. (20)), but applications of mbp are among halachic matters that are very difficult to predict.
To be honest, your case has happened to me many times, and I have always thought (I believe like most shomrei Shabbat), that it was forbidden to cut the hanging threads. To my surprise, the only serious discussion I found is in Orchot Shabbat (11:(26)), which is not a lenient sefer, and he believes it is permitted to cut them. I have read and heard "passing" opinions of respected rabbanim who forbid it. So, I do not plan to be lenient for myself, but I would not rule clearly that it is forbidden.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
