Kitzur Yomi #74 | Siman 9, Seif 3 | Where Exactly Should Tzitzis Be Placed?

Where exactly must the tzitzis be attached to a four-cornered garment?In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explores two important principles derived from the Torah's command: "Make for yourself bound tassels on the four corners of your garment."The first is "Ta'aseh v'lo min ha'asui"—the tzitzis must be properly made, rather than becoming valid afterward through some other action. If tzitzis were originally attached incorrectly, simply altering the garment afterward to bring them into the correct position does not necessarily make them valid.The second principle defines exactly where the "corner" of the garment is. The hole for the tzitzis must be within the prescribed halachic area—not too far from the edge and not too close to it. The Kitzur discusses how these measurements are determined, what happens if the garment contracts when the tzitzis are tightened, and why loose fringe along the garment's edge should be removed before attaching the tzitzis.The se'if concludes by mentioning the custom of making two adjacent holes in a tallis katan so that the tzitzis hang toward the outside of the garment.The Torah requires tzitzis to be actively and properly attached—Ta'aseh v'lo min ha'asui.The tzitzis must be positioned within the halachically defined corner of the garment.The hole should be no more than three thumb-breadths from the garment's edge.It also may not be too close to the edge—the Kitzur gives the minimum as the distance from the middle thumb knuckle to the end of the thumbnail.Tzitzis attached outside the proper area cannot simply be made valid afterward by cutting or modifying the garment.If tightening the knot causes a properly positioned hole to move closer to the edge, the tzitzis remain valid.Unwoven fringes along the garment's edge should be cut off before attaching the tzitzis because of uncertainty regarding the proper measurement.Some have the custom of making two holes in each corner of a tallis katan.Tzitzis aren't valid merely because four sets of strings eventually end up near four corners. The mitzvah must be constructed correctly from the beginning. The principle of Ta'aseh v'lo min ha'asui teaches a broader lesson as well: in mitzvos, the process matters. The way something is done can be just as important as the final result.Key TakeawaysPractical Lesson