What is Considered "Night" for Tzitzis?

Q. What is considered “nighttime” with regard to the mitzvah of tzitzis?

A. The Rema (OC 18:1) writes that one may only recite the beracha of tzitzis during the day, as per the ruling of the Rambam that the mitzvah only applies during the day. Therefore, on Yom Kippur when a tallis is worn for Ma’ariv, one must put on the tallis while it is still day, in order to recite the beracha. What about during bein ha’shmashos (twilight, the period of time between sunset and when stars become visible)? One might assume that since there is a safek (doubt) as to whether this period of time is considered day or night, no beracha should be recited during this time, based on the principle of “safek berachos lehakel” (in cases of doubt, a beracha is not recited). However, the Magen Avrohom (18:4) writes that one may recite the beracha on tzitzis until tzeis ha’kochavim (nightfall). The Mishnah Berurah (18:7) explains that the Torah does not say that there is no mitzvah of tzitzis at night, but rather tzitzis must be visible, as the Torah says (Bamidbar 15:39) “U’re’isem oso” (you shall see the tzitzis). Since the tzitzis are visible even after sunset until the stars become visible, twilight has the same status as daytime in this regard, and a beracha may be said. However, if one already davened Ma’ariv, even if it is before sunset, Rema writes that a beracha may no longer be said.

Nonetheless, the Mishnah Berurah cites poskim who disagree with the Magen Avrohom and therefore the Mishnah Berurah recommends not reciting a beracha during bein ha’shmashos. If one is uncertain if it is still daytime or bein ha’shmashos, Mishnah Berurah writes that one may recite the beracha.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.