When to Check Tallis Strings

Q. If I check the strings of the tzizis when I put away my talis, must I still check them again the next morning?

A. The Magen Avrohom (8:11) writes that if one checked their tzizis before putting them away, there is no need to check them again the next day. The Elya Rabba (8:10) disagrees with the Magen Avrohom. He points out that Rema (YD 18:14) writes that even if one checked their shechita knife before putting it away, it should still be checked again the next time before using it. The same should apply here as well. However, the Pri Megadim explains that a shechita knife is different because it can rust and form a nick even if no one touches it. The Mishnah Berurah (8:22) as well accepts the ruling of the Magen Avrohom. Regarding a Shabbos talis the Beiur Halacha (13:2 s.v. kodem) writes that it best to check the strings before Shabbos (or on Motzei Shabbos - for a Shabbos talis - when folding and putting it away). Presumably, this is preferable because if there is a problem with the tzizis, it can be corrected before or after Shabbos, but not on Shabbos.

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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.