Question:
Im making myself a new pair of TZIZIT. I would like to make it LCHATCHILA BEZRAT HASHEM. When making the first knot , should it be made tight to the GARMENT? How TIGHT? Where there are folds on the garment or slightly tight? I saw ACCORDING to RAV STERBACH in his sefer to the LAWS and MINHAGIM of the GRA, that there are KODMONIM who make it relaxed or loose. Whats the best way to do it LCHATCHILA? I tend to like it more relaxed for comfort. ANY OTHER ADVICE for making a LCHACHILA pair of ARBA KONFOT that i might need to know?
Answer:
I’m making myself a new pair of tzizit. I would like to make it lchatchila bezrat hashem. When making the first knot , should it be made tight to the garment? How tight? Where there are folds on the garment or slightly tight? I saw according to Rav Sterbach in his sefer to the laws and minhagim of the Gra, that there are kodmonim who make it relaxed or loose. What’s the best way to do it lchatchila? I tend to like it more relaxed for comfort. Any other advice for making a lchachila pair of arba konfot that I might need to know?
Answer:
There is an issue, how much slack should there be when tying the first knot of the tzitzis. On one hand there is a halacha that the tzitzis knots should be hanging over the side of the garment (O:CH 11-15). Therefore, the first knot not have any slack so it will hang over the side, and not slide down. This is indeed the way that a number of gedolim[1] made their tzitzis. On the other hand, there is another halacha that the hole where the strings are attached should not be too close to edge of the garment (O:CH 11-9). Therefore, if the first knot is too tight and the garment ends up getting folded as a result, perhaps it is considered as if the hole is too close to the edge of the garment. Therefore, others made the knot with some slack[2], but not enough that the strings can slide down and hang from the bottom of the garment. It should be noted[3] that most poskim are not worried with the fact that the garment is folded, because it isn’t sewn together and is only being held in place by the tzitzis
Whichever way you make it, whether you make the knot tight, or if you leave a little slack (less than an inch) you will be fine, just if you make it with some slack make sure that the tzitzios don’t slide down.
Offhand I don’t have any other advice, but you should have a lot of Hatzlocha in making your tzitzis.
Best wishes
Sources:
[1] Leket Yosher (Minhagei Terumos Hadeshen) pg. 9, Aruch Hashulchan 11-19, Dinim Vhanhagos Chazon Ish 2-7, Orchos Rabeinu 4 pg. 152., Chayei Adam 11-24 (also see)
[2] Teshuvos v’hanhagos 1-27, who wants to bring a proof to this from the Sheiltis, Orchos Rabeinu additions to vol. 1 pg. 3, that the Steipler left approx. 2 cm of string between hole and the first knot, Eshel Avrohom (Third edition).
[3] Nishmas Adam 11-3, Magen Avrohom brought in M:B 11-41 that the folds don’t diminish the length of the garment. Eshel Avrohom ibid.
