38. The Holes of the Tzitzis

9:3 The hole through which the strings are inserted should be no farther from the edge of the garment than three times the width of a thumb. The stringent opinion, which it is recommended to follow, measures the width of the knuckle, which is the widest part. (A thumb-width, called an agudal in Hebrew, is roughly an inch.) Beyond the measure of three thumbs, it would no longer be considered the corner of the garment, but part of the body of the garment. A hole farther from the edge than this invalidates the tzitzis, even if tying the strings draws it closer. Making the tzitzis with a hole too far from the edge, then cutting the hole to enable the strings to come closer, is likewise invalid. Conversely, the strings must not be nearer to the edge of the garment than the length of a thumb from the knuckle to the end of the nail. However, if the hole is properly placed but tying the strings causes it to end up closer to the edge, that’s acceptable. Some people have the practice to make two holes on the corner of a tallis katan, which causes the tzitzis to hang down on one side of the garment. (One may not do this on the tallis gadol worn for prayer, as doing so appears haughty. It is permissible on the tallis katan since this is not worn quite so publicly – see Mishnah Brurah 11:39.)

9:4 If the hole was at the proper distance when the strings were tied on but wear and tear causes it to become too close to the edge, the tzitzis are still valid. This is because the rule of the hole’s distance applies to when the strings are attached, as per Numbers 15:38, “they shall make fringes on the corners of their garments,” i.e. “corners” applies when making the tzitzis. Regardless, it would still be preferable to reinforce the hole and the corner of the garment in an effort to avoid this problem altogether.