13 Jun THE MERITS AND POWER OF TZITZIS

Today there are many
people who do not
wear tzitzis, or in fact
do wear them but do
not know the merits
and power of the
c o m m a n d m e n t .
Through Project
Tzitzis, over 9,500
people have had the
t r e m e n d o u s
opportunity to wear
tzitzis. The movement
has helped people keep
this mitzvah in over twenty-two countries, with
one goal in mind. These pages you are about to
read will provide you with the merits and
power of this awesome mitzvah, and it is the
hope that you will have a better understanding
of what they represent when you wear your
tzitzis.

The Source

The Torah tells us: “Speak to the children of
Israel and tell them to make tzitzis (fringes) on
the corners of their garments throughout their
generations.” The pasuk tells us that when one
looks at his tzitzis, it should remind him of all
other mitzvos. Rashi points out the numerical
value of “tzitzis”—תיציצ is equal to six
hundred. To which we add the eight strings and
five knots on each of the four corners of the
garment, bringing us to 613, which is an
allusion to the 613 mitzvos of the Torah. The
Chinuch says the point of the mitzvah of tzitzis
is to always remember all the mitzvos of
Hashem. There is nothing greater in the world
to enable us to remember this then to have the
seal of our Master with us, and this is tzitzis.
Tosafos says that wearing tzitzis reminds us
that we are slaves to Hashem. The Targum
Yehonasan mentions that wearing tzitzis is
compared to us being malachim of Hashem.
Obligation or Good Idea
According to the basic halachah, one is only
required to place tzitzis on a garment that has
four corners but is not required to buy a
garment that has four corners and has tzitzis on
it. Hashem praises those who wear tzitzis even
when they are not obligated to do so. The Ohr
Zeru’ah is of the opinion that bringing oneself
to wear a garment which has four corners and
putting tzitzis on it is rabbinic in nature. The
Rambam mentions it is not proper for a
“righteous” person to exempt himself from this
mitzvah, and should always make sure to have
a garment which is obligated in tzitzis. The
Shulchan Aruch says it is a good idea for all
people to do so. This is fascinating since we do
not tell people to buy a home to put up
mezuzos, or build a fence on the roof of one
home which requires a fence. In addition, we
don’t tell people to buy meat to fulfill the
mitzvah of shechitah. Clearly tzitzis is
different. Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l says that
since it has become the practice that we wear a
garment that has four corners and has tzitzis on
it, one is obligated to wear such a garment with
tzitzis.
Reasons for the Mitzvah
The Ohr Hachaim says that we have the
mitzvah of tzitzis on a four-cornered garment
and not one that has three or five corners. Since
tzitzis are a sign of servitude, Hashem
commanded us that the sign itself should
proclaim our Master, as is common among the
kings of the earth: each one has his unique
insignia designated for his servants. So too,
Hashem commanded us to only use a
four-corneredgarment, alluding to the fact that

our King is the Creator of the four corners of
the earth and the Master over them. A
three-cornered or five-cornered garment would
miss the intent and therefore not require tzitzis.
It is mentioned by the Nachal Kedumim that
the reason for the mitzvah of tzitzis is that
Hashem wanted us to wear a garment which
encompasses all 613 mitzvos, and since tzitzis
is equal to all mitzvos, we wear it on our
bodies.

Reward

In the business world, one makes sure that his
investments have the least money and energy
involved for the best return. The mitzvah of
tzitzis is the best reward we can get for the
smallest investment. The cost of tzitzis is
minimal compared to the price of tefillin or a
lulav, but the reward is much greater for tzitzis.
Even if one forgets that the tzitzis is on his
body, he is rewarded each second. If one does
not cash in on this mitzvah, it is foolish. You
can gain millions of mitzvos. The yetzer hara
(evil inclination) knows where to pick his
fights, and the place that has so many benefits
and rewards is where he chooses to fight. He
tries to persuade us against wearing tzitzis
since he understands what is at stake. (He tells
us it is too hot, too uncomfortable, etc.) But this
is not the place to be lenient, since one is
wearing an undershirt anyway, so adding
another garment is not a big deal. However, the
yetzer hara still fights with us and tries to
convince us against wearing it. We have to
fight. Many of the rewards of wearing tzitzis
will be discussed below. The Gemara in
Menachos mentions that the mitzvah of
wearing tzitzis is equal to all of the other
commandments combined. An interesting
question is why would Hashem make it that we
are only obligated in this mitzvah when we
have a garment of four corners? We would
expect this to be a mitzvah one is always
obligated in. The answer is that when a person
goes beyond the letter of the law (in choosing
to wear a four-cornered garment), Hashem will
then lead that person to other mitzvos, and then
one merits to fulfill all the mitzvos. The
Gemara in Maseches Shabbos says one who is
careful with the mitzvah of tzitzis will merit
2,800 servants in the World to Come. Whoever
is careful with this mitzvah merits to see the
Shechinah. The Sifrei says one who fulfills the
mitzvah of tzitzis is considered as if he did all
the 613 mitzvos. This is an amazing thought:
one puts on the tzitzis and is, in essence, doing
613 mitzvos. The Rabbeinu B’Chai mentions
that one who is careful with tzitzis merits
Techiyas Hameisim (Resurrection of the
Dead). The Midrash Tanchuma mentions
wearing tzitzis merits one a wife and children.
Through the mitzvah of tzitzis, one is protected
from danger and from angles of destruction.
The Ben Yehoyada mentions that in order for a
garment to be obligated in tzitzis, it has to have
four corners, and each corner has five knots
and eight strings. Thirteen multiplied by each
corner is fifty-two, which is equal to the word
ןב. Therefore, one who is careful with tzitzis
merits a son. The mitzvah of tzitzis protects
one from being mechalel Shabbos. Tzitzis
protects one from speaking lashon hara.
Mitzvah of Our Generation
The Noam Elimelech mentions that even in his
generation, the mitzvah that needed correction
to make sure it was done properly was that of
tzitzis.
Focus on Looking at the Tzitzis
We mentioned that one should look at his
tzitzis, and then one will be reminded of all

other mitzvos. This symbolism can be best
understood with the following parable, told by
the Dubno Maggid. A certain poor person, R’
Yonah, was invited to a meal at a wealthy
man’s house. When all the diners were finished
with their portions, the rich man, who sat at the
head of the table, tinkled the bell. Almost at
once, waiters came in to remove the dishes and
bring the next course. R’ Yonah was amazed.
He had never seen anything like that before.
After the second course was completed, the
host again rang the bell, and again the waiters
removed the plates and brought yet more food.
R’ Yonah was immensely impressed. When the
meal was finally over, he went to get such a
bell for his home as well. He can home
excitedly to his wife. “We’re going to have
unlimited food and waiters. Wait until you see
what I brought home!” He immediately placed
the bell on the table and told his family and
friends to take their regular seats. He then
tinkled the bell with conviction. He waited for
the waiter to walk in—but nothing happened!
“I don’t understand it! When the rich man rang
the bell, all the food was served!” The next day
he returned the bell. “The bell you sold me is
useless. I got no response when I rang it.” The
obvious reason nothing happened, says the
Dubno Maggid, is because there is neither a
waiter nor food prepared in the next room. The
bell summons that which is there to be
summoned. Much preparation is necessary
before the bell can accomplish anything. In
some ways many of us are like this man,
continues the Dubno Maggid. For example, the
Torah says if we look at our tzitzis, we will be
reminded to perform all of Hashem’s mitzvos.
There are many people, though, who can look
at a pair of tzitzis and not be reminded of
anything. Only if one studies and understands
how the tzitzis represent the 613 mitzvos, and
studies what the 613 mitzvos are, can one
appreciate what his viewing of the tzitzis
should accomplish. Merely to look them
without any preparation is like tinkling a bell
without having arranged for anyone to respond.
The Meam Loez asks: How can one remember
all the mitzvos by looking at the tzitzis? There
are many people who wear tzitzis all day and
do not remember all the mitzvos by wearing
tzitzis. If one wishes to remember to do a
specific action during the day, he should tie a
string to his finger, and when he looks at the
string, he will be reminded of the item for
which he put the string on his finger in the first
place. If, however, one tied the string on the
finger because his finger was in pain and then
he forgot something, people might say, “How
did you forget about the specific action for
which you tied a string to your finger? You
should have remembered!” However, he only
tied it to his finger in the latter case because his
finger was in pain—not to remind him about
anything. If one wears his tzitzis in order to
remind himself of the other mitzvos, then it
will help, but if one wears a pair of tzitzis like
he wears any other garment without any
thought, then he will not have the goal the
tzitzis should be portraying.
Segulos

If one wishes to make sure he is saved from a
situation which is dishonorable, he should look
at his front tzitzis. The same is true if one
wishes to avoid getting angry. One who wishes
to refrain from speaking lashon hara and other
forbidden words should look at his tzitzis, and
Hashem will save him. A sick person should
look at his tzitzis as a segulah to get well.
Tzitzis saves from an ayin hara. Tzitzis saves

one from sin. Toothaches can be avoided by
wearing tzitzis. The mitzvah of tzitzis adds
kedushah to Klal Yisrael.
Punishment

The Gemara says when Hashem is angry, the
ones who do not wear tzitzis are in danger.
Why would we get punished if we are not
obligated to wear tzitzis if we don’t have a
four-cornered garment? However, the Gemara
is referring to something else. There is a certain
level of love if one does a mitzvah even if he is
not obligated to do it. The Gemara is saying
one will get punished because Hashem wants
us to wear tzitzis even when we are not
obligated. It’s as if Hashem is saying, “If you
are not going out of your way to put on tzitzis,
then it is lacking in our relationship, and I will
not be able to protect you.” However, if we put
on tzitzis, it shows we love Hashem, like a son
shows love to his father. The Gemara in
Pesachim lists not wearing tzitzis as being
placed in cherem (excommunication) by
Hashem. The Gemara in Maseches Shabbos
says that for not fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzis,
one’s children die.
Looking at One’s Tzitzis
The Beis Yosef mentions that looking at one’s
tzitzis is a mitzvah d’Oraisa. This is also the
opinion of others. The Shulchan Aruch
mentions some look at their tzitzis when they
say “u’re’isem” as well as place them over
their eyes, and it is a nice custom. The Mishnah
Berurah mentions that if one places his tzitzis
over his eyes while saying “u’re’isem,” it is a
segulah not to become blind. The Elyah
Rabbah says that looking at one’s tzitzis leads
one to yiras Shamayim. The Chasam Sofer
says looking at one’s tzitzis is a segulah for
remembering. Looking at one’s tzitzis at a time
when one is having an impure thought can help
prevent one from having these thoughts. It is
especially a good idea to look at one’s tzitzis
throughout the day. This works as well to avoid
getting angry. There is a segula for a sick
person to get better by looking at his tzitzis.
Looking at one’s tzitzis removes ayin hara. The
Kav Hayosher mentions that looking at one’s
tzitzis is a great act.
Kissing Tzitzis

The Rema says that when one “sees” his tzitzis,
he should kiss them. However, no mention is
made by the Rema to kiss them when most
people do, which is during Krias Shema in the
morning. The Darchei Moshe does mention
that some have the custom to kiss tzitzis when
reciting “u’re’isem…” The Kaf Hachaim says
that each time one recites the word “tzitzis,” he
should kiss them. The Aruch Hashulchan
mentions to kiss the tzitzis a few times when
reciting the parshah of tzitzis, but does not
mention when. However, in another place, the
Aruch Hashulchan says to kiss them by
“u’re’isem osa,” but he says that if one does
not, it is not an issue. The Kitzur Shulchan
Aruch mentions that one should kiss the tzitzis

when reciting the
word “tzitzis”
during the recital of
Krias Shema.
When one says
“u’re’isem,” he
should look at the
tzitzis and kiss
them. One holds the
tzitzis until
“ u ’ n e c h m a d i m ”
and then kisses
them and puts them
away. Some do not
have the custom to kiss tzitzis during Krias
Shema, but most people follow the custom
mentioned in the Darchei Moshe to kiss them.
The custom of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l was
to only kiss his tzitzis by “Emes” and not
during the rest of Krias Shema. On Tishah
B’Av at Shacharis, many do not kiss the
tzitzis, since no brachah is made on them.
When putting on tzitzis, one should not kiss
them between the brachah and the wrapping
since it would be a hefsek.
Tzitzis Protects—Some Stories
Avoided an Intermarriage
There was a Belzer Chassid whose son r”l was
planning on marrying a non-Jew, and he went
over to the Rebbe to ask him for advice. The
Rebbe said to him, “Tell your son to come to
me before the wedding.” The son said, “I will
not listen to the Rebbe anyway, so I have
nothing to lose.” He went to the Rebbe, who

did not even try to persuade him from not
marrying the non-Jew. The Rebbe said, “I have
two conditions for you to go on with the
wedding. One is to invite your father, and
another is to wear tzitzis underneath your
shirt.” The son agreed. After all, he grew up a
Belzer Chassid, and at least the Rebbe was
allowing him to go ahead with the wedding. In
middle of the wedding, the music changed, and
people started taking off their shirts. The
chassan also started taking off his shirt, and
people saw his tzitzis. They said, “We thought
you had nothing to do with this religion, and
here you are wearing this garment!” The bride
also saw the tzitzis and said the marriage was
over.
Brought Back to Torah
Harav Chaim Pinchus Sheinberg zt”l was
fundraising in Florida, and a woman whose
son was not on the correct Jewish path came to
him. She thought it may be a segulah if her son
wore a pair of Harav Sheinberg’s tzitzis;
perhaps it would reignite the spark of
Yiddishkeit within him. Harav Simchah
Sheinberg, his son, said, “If you give one
thousand dollars to the yeshivah, we will allow
you to have one pair of tzitzis.” Harav Chaim
Pinchus said, “I want to meet the son as well.”
He told the son, “Your mother just gave a
thousand dollars because she cares about you
so much, and I don’t want your tzitzis to be
sitting in a drawer. I want you to promise me
that you will wear these tzitzis for one minute
a day—that’s it.” The son could not say no. He
ending up wearing it for more than a minute a

day. By the time six months came around, he
was learning in Ohr Somayach, and he kept
learning many years in Eretz Yisrael. All from
one minute of wearing tzitzis.
Harav Sheinberg zt”l Wore Tzitzis for Klal
Yisrael
Harav Sheinberg zt”l was known to wear as
many as 175 pairs of tzitzis at one time. This
weighed as much as sixty-six pounds. Harav
Sheinberg donned no specific number of
garments but rather as many as he was able to.
He believed that each tallis kattan represented
another priceless mitzvah. Harav Sheinberg
was once going through security in an airport
before boarding a plane. The security guard,
seeing the bulk under his garments, stopped
him, thinking that he was smuggling
something. When asked what he had under his
coat, Harav Sheinberg responded that he was
wearing religious articles. The security guard
still did not understand, so he called over a
Jewish guard to explain what the rabbi meant.
The Jewish guard looked at Harav Sheinberg
and said, “I don’t understand. When I was in
Hebrew school, they told me that one pair of
tzitzis is enough. Why do you wear so many?”
Harav Sheinberg replied, “I am wearing a pair
for you as well. But if you want to wear one
yourself, I will be happy to remove it and give
it to you.” Harav Sheinberg carried the burden
of all Jews on his shoulders.
Saved a Life
There was a special Yid who became religious
and, while driving a moped in Eretz Yisrael,
wondered why he was wearing tzitzis. As he

was thinking about this, his tzitzis, which were
long, got caught in the tires, and his moped got
locked. He fell over to the side of the road and
got all scratched up. A few seconds later, the
car behind him rammed into the car that was in
front of him. He realized that if he would have
been in the spot he was in moments before, he
would have died. The tzitzis saved his life!
The Gra and His Tzitzis
When the Gra was about to die, he held his
tzitzis in his hand and, while crying, said,
“How hard is it for me to leave this world.
From now on, I’ll be unable to perform the
mitzvah of tzitzis. Through this simple
mitzvah, one merits to see the face of the
Shechinah. Where will I be able to find this in
the world of souls? Even if I want to be able to
fulfill this mitzvah in the next world, I will not
be able to.” This is the Gra, who knew the
entire Torah, both the simple and deep
meanings of everything, and all he was
concerned with at the time of his death was the
great mitzvah of tzitzis. Truly amazing.