Particulars of the Tzitzis Strings
Question: Why does it seem that all the tzitzis sold commercially are exclusively made of wool?
Discussion: The rule is that woolen tzitzis strings are valid for a garment made of any material,210 whereas strings made of other materials are only valid for a garment made of that same material. Because of this, all tzitzis strings sold commercially today are made of wool.211
Question: What are the differences between the various tzitzis strings available for purchase, and which are preferable?
Discussion:
Thicker or thinner strings: Tzitzis strings usually come in a thinner or thicker variety (the thinner ones usually being less expensive). It is common for the thinner ones to be used for the tallis kattan, and the thicker ones for the tallis gadol. But this is certainly not a matter of necessity or requirement, and one may choose, for example, to use the thicker strings even for a tallis kattan simply because they are less likely to rip.
Avodas yad: A fundamental requirement of the tzitzis strings is that they be manufactured lishmah – for the sake of the mitzvah of tzitzis. The person making the tzitzis must verbalize this express intent.212 Now, when tzitzis are spun by machine, the lishmah intent is provided by the person activating the machine. However, this is based on the premise that when the machine is activated by a person, the strings are considered to be spun by that person (and therefore, his intention is effective) – but this is a point of debate among the Poskim.213 The essential halachah follows those who validate machine-spun tzitzis.214 Yet, since it is debated, many Poskim express a preference for strings that are spun by hand, referred to as avodas yad.215
Niputz lishmah: There are strings in the market labeled niputz lishmah. This means that when the wool was being made into string, it was combed with the lishmah intent – for the sake of the mitzvah of tzitzis. This is a special enhancement. The essential halachah, as Rema rules (11:1), is that the combing of the wool does not require lishmah intent; it is only required for the spinning of the combed wool and the stages that follow. However, Maharal of Prague (cited by Mishnah Berurah 11:3), encouraged that the combing of the wool, as well, should be lishmah.
Combing by hand is significantly more work-intensive. Therefore, these tzitzis strings bear a higher price tag. Many will not seek to buy these strings since, besides the fact that strict halachah does not require intent for the combing, many of the standard strings are in any event combed by machine with lishmah intent,216 which suffices according to some (as mentioned above). But some will pay the higher price for tzitzis strings that fulfill the special mitzvah in the most enhanced manner according to all opinions.
210 By Torah law this is true regarding tzitzis strings made of linen as well. However, common practice is not to use linen, neither for the tallis, nor for the tzitzis strings – see Shulchan Aruch 9:2,6.
211 Shulchan Aruch 9:2-3.
212 Shulchan Aruch 11:1-2.
213 Machazeh Avraham (Steinberg) I:2, and Ohr Letzion I:2 rule stringently. Many of the great Chassidic masters, as well, were very stringent about this; see Divrei Chaim 3; Shefa Chaim, Torah Umoadim I, p. 99. The lenient opinions are listed in the next footnote. [This general issue has ramifications on other areas of halachah as well, such as baking matzos, and producing klaf – the parchment used for Sifrei Torah, tefillin, etc. Yet, each instance must be judged independently, depending on the particulars of the procedure involved.]
214 This is the opinion of Achiezer III:69, Chazon Ish 6:10; Maharsham IV:63; Har Tzvi 10. Minchas Yitzchak V:26 rules leniently for the case of extenuating circumstances.
215 See Minchas Yitzchok II:98; Yalkut Yosef 11:4.
216 The Mishkan Hatecheiles manufacturing company verified that even their tzitzis strings which are not sold as niputz lishmah are combed by machine with the person activating it having the lishmah intent. It may be worthwhile clarifying this with other companies as well.