עברית
Halachot and Customs
The Cutting of Tzitzit Strings with Scissors
Question
Is it permitted to cut Tzitzit with scissors to make their ends straight? And if I have already cut them and the tzitzit are considered invalid due to the cutting, what should I do with them?
Answer
Shalom u'vracha,
The part of the tzitzit that extends from the garment must be at least 22 cm; if they extend more, it is permissible to shorten them, and by Halacha, this can be done with a knife or scissors.
However, there are those who are particular not to use a metal tool to cut the tzitzit, as the merit of fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzit is to prolong a person's life, and it is inappropriate to use something that shortens to cut something that prolongs [similar to the warning in the Torah regarding the stones of the altar]. Those who are particular about this shorten the tzitzit by cutting between the teeth. However, it is clear that according to all customs, the tzitzit are not invalidated by cutting with scissors if they remain 22 cm.
Happy Chanukah - Menashe Yisrael
