28 May SOLDIERS AND TZITZIS

After the horrific
terrorist attacks of
October 7, there was a
sudden burst of interest
in tzitzis. So many
people, particularly
soldiers, wanted to start
wearing tzitzis that there
was a severe shortage. Based on the sudden
demand, the IDF Rabbinate needed 60,000
garments with tzitzis fringes. Volunteers
joined together to wrap and tie tzitzis for
soldiers on special khaki garments. This
became such a phenomenon that the media
reported on it at the time and it was even
recently mentioned by the Christian editor of
First Things magazine. However, there is a
question whether soldiers should wear tzitzis.
On very hot days, the additional tzitzis
garment may add to the stress of the heat.
When a soldier engages in a physically
challenging exercise or even battle, he may
sweat profusely on the tzitzis garment (also
known as a tallis katan). Perhaps that is
disrespectful to the tzitzis. More importantly,
perhaps the additional clothing will harm
the soldier’s health or reduce his ability to
function. Is it proper for a soldier in such a
circumstance to refrain from wearing a tzitzis
garment?
I. The Importance of Tzitzis
On the one hand, the Torah obligation is

for a man to wear tzitzis on four-cornered
garments. A garment with more, fewer or no
corners is not obligated in tzitzis (Shulchan
Aruch, Orach Chaim 10:1). Nowadays, we do
not regularly wear four cornered garments. In
order to fulfill the mitzvah, men wear tzitzis
garments (usually under our shirts) with four
corners, in addition to a large tallis during
morning prayers. Technically, we are not
obligated to wear a tzitzis garment. If so, it
should be totally optional and a soldier should
be free to refrain from wearing one when it is
uncomfortable or potentially harmful.
However, the Gemara (Menachos 41a) says
that Rav Katina was wearing a cloak that was
exempt from tzitzis. An angel warned him
that he would be punished for failing to wear
a cloak with tzitzis. Rav Katina objected that
he was not obligated in tzitzis. How can he
be punished for failing to fulfill a mitzvah
in which he was not obligated? The angel
replied that at a time of divine anger, people
are punished for failing to take the initiative
and fulfill a positive mitzvah. This Gemara
implies that we are required to find ways to
obligate ourselves in a mitzvah and fulfill it.
Otherwise, we risk punishment at a bad time.
Similarly, the Gemara (Pesachim 113b)
says that seven people are excommunicated
from Heaven. One of these seven is someone
who does not wear tzitzis on his clothing.
Tosafos (ad loc., s.v. ve-ein) say that this
refers to someone who has a tzitzis garment

and doesn’t wear it. Or perhaps it means
that you must even go out and buy such a
garment in order to wear it. If a man refrains
from obligating himself in this mitzvah, he is
judged harshly.
Presumably the reason for the expectation of
wearing a tzitzis garment is that the mitzvah
is said to be considered equivalent to all the
other mitzvos combined (Menachos 43b).
Whether or not that is meant literally, it
clearly means that this mitzvah is important.
Generally speaking, it is so easy to fulfill,
failing to wear tzitzis is a conscious choice
not to do a mitzvah. The Gemara (Shabbos
118b) says that Rav Nachman was careful to
never walk four amos without wearing tzitzis
(see Rashi, ad loc.). Particularly relevant for
soldiers, Rav Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (20th
cen.) writes that tzitzis serves as protection
for the one who wears it, as it says (Ps. 17:8)
“hide me under the shade of your corners”
(Ben Ish Chai, year 1, Noach, intro.).
II. Tzitzis and Ball Playing
There is an ongoing debate among halachic
authorities whether it is ever appropriate to
wear a tzitzis garment directly on your skin.
On the one hand the mitzvah is to wear tzitzis
strings on a garment. Rav Shlomo Zalman
Auerbach (20th cen., Israel) says that since
it is normal to wear a shirt directly on your
skin, there is nothing wrong with wearing
a tzitzis garment on your skin (Halichos
Shlomo, Tefillah 3:11). Rav Yisroel Belsky
(21st cen., US) says that since the garment
is intended for a mitzvah, we should treat
it respectfully and wear it on top of an
undershirt (Piskei Halachah of HaRav
Yisroel Belsky on Orach Chaim and Yoreh
De’ah [March 2012], p. 28). Rav Shmuel
Katz (cont., Israel) published a halachic
guide to tzeni’us for Religious Zionist
youth that was popular when I was young
in the 1980s. He writes that he asked both
Rav Ovadiah Yosef and Rav Mordechai
Eliyahu whether it is proper to wear a tzitzis
garment directly on your skin on a very hot
day. Rav Yosef told him that it is allowed
when necessary. Rav Eliyahu told him
that you always have to wear it on top of
an undershirt (Kedoshim Tihyu [expanded
edition], p. 104 nn. 67-68). Rav Ephraim
Greenblatt (21st cen., US) quotes this book
and adds that presumably Rav Eliyahu was
concerned about treating a tzitzis garment
disgracefully (Rivevos Ephraim, vol. 4,
no. 14 part 1). Rav Greenblatt adds that in
the back of Kedoshim Tihyu (p. 252), the
author includes a letter from Rav Binyamin
Zilber (20th cen., Israel) who says that you
may occasionally wear a tzitzis garment on
your skin but should not do it on a regular
basis.
Rav Shmuel Katz also says that while
playing ball, you should not remove your
tzitzis garment if you are sweating a bit
(Kedoshim Tihyu, p. 105). It is better to
wear a light tzitzis garment and sweat into
it than to wear none. Similarly, Rav Belsky
(ibid.) says that when playing ball, it is

better to wear a tzitzis garment on your skin
rather than not wear it at all. Rav Binyamin
Zilber (Az Nidberu, vol. 2, no. 55) writes
that someone who removes a tzitzis garment
because it interferes with his ball game is
insulting a mitzvah (tucking tzitzis in is fine).
If you need to wear tzitzis while praying
and learning Torah in order to remember the
mitzvos, you are required even more to wear
tzitzis during leisure activities.
III. A Soldier and Tzitzis
Based on the above, it would seem that a
soldier should wear a tzitzis garment on top
of an undershirt. If the heat is too much, he
may wear a light (i.e. cotton) tzitzis garment,
even if he sweats. However, Rav Shlomo
Aviner (cont., Israel) was told that some
commanders insist that a soldier to wear any
extra clothing on a difficult training exercise
or military engagement. When every ounce
being worn or carried for long distances
matters, an extra piece of clothing is an
extra burden (Hilchos Madei Tzahal, p. 32).
Rav Aviner says that a soldier is allowed to
refrain from wear a tzitzis garment for limited
amounts of time if he feels it is necessary.
Of course, he should not refuse orders or
fight with his commander. But, Rav Aviner
adds, it is hard to understand how a tzitzis
garment adds meaningful weight to a soldier.
Additionally, it is best to wear a tzitzis
garment while fighting. Bar Kochba’s army
fought while wearing tefillin! In our time, we
can at least wear tzitzis while fighting.
A 1971 halachah guide for Israeli soldiers,
Dinei Tzava U-Milchamah by Rav Shlomo
Min HaHar and others, also strongly
encourages soldiers to wear tzitzis. However,
a soldier is allowed to use his discretion
whether to remove his tzitzis garment or just
his undershirt (p. 36). Similarly, Rav Asher
Weiss (cont., Israel) allows for leniency in
certain cases (Responsa Minchas Asher, vol.
3, no. 47). The concern here is not violating
a prohibition or even failing to fulfill a
commandment. The issue is denigrating
a mitzvah by failing to chase after an
opportunity to fulfill it. In a case of significant
need during difficult exercises on extremely
hot days, a soldier may refrain from wearing
a tzitzis garment.
Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon (cont., Israel) writes
that it is true that, when necessary, a soldier
may refrain from wearing a tzitzis garment.
However, he adds, it is not worth it to act
leniently because the mitzvah is so important
(Halachah Mi-Mkorah, Tzava, vol. 1, p. 53).
The mitzvah adds divine protection to the
soldier and tzitzis serves as a reminder of the
obligation to observe all the Torah’s laws,
which is particularly important in the social
atmosphere of the army.