Is there any problem with the tzizis of a tallis gadol touching the ground? For example if you are sitting in shule and the tzizis touch the ground, is that a halachic problem?
Answer:
Shulchan Aruch states that tzitzis should not be dragged [on the ground] while the tallis is worn.
Magen Avraham suggests that this might apply only while the tallis is being worn, but not when it is not worn. However, Shulchan Aruch Harav (21:5) omits the term “while they are worn,” implying that one should always be wary of dragging tzitzis strings on the ground. This is also stated in Birkei Yosef.
However, Mekor Chaim (21) writes that the instruction to avoid dragging tzitzis on the ground is only out of midas chassidus.
See also Aruch Hashulchan (21:7) and Kaf Hachaim (21:18).
so if they touch the ground while sitting down but they don’t drag on the ground that is alright?
Interestingly, Shayarei Keneses Hagedolah, quoted in Piskei Teshuvos, writes that the problem is dragging, and merely touching the floor is not a problem. However, Artzos Hachayim argues, and if the problem is the lack of respect for the tzitzis it is reasonable (though not muchrach) to assume that it should apply even to resting on the ground.
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