Kitzur Yomi #90 | Siman 9, Seif 19 | Can You Throw Old Tzitzis in the Garbage?

What should you do with tzitzis after they become pasul and are removed from the tallis? Can they simply be thrown into the garbage?In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that even though the tzitzis are no longer usable for the mitzvah, they should not be thrown into the trash, because doing so demonstrates disrespect toward something that was used for a mitzvah.Some have the beautiful practice of placing old tzitzis inside a sefer and using them as a bookmark. The idea is that since these strings were once used for one mitzvah, we allow them to continue serving another mitzvah.The same principle applies to an old tallis that is no longer being worn for the mitzvah. Even though it is no longer in active use, it should not be used for a degrading or disrespectful purpose.Even pasul tzitzis retain a degree of respect because they were used for a mitzvah.Removed tzitzis should not be thrown directly into the garbage.Some people use old tzitzis as a bookmark in a sefer.This allows an object once used for one mitzvah to continue being used in connection with another mitzvah.An old tallis that is no longer worn should likewise not be used disrespectfully.The mitzvah may have ended, but our respect for what served the mitzvah continues.There is something especially meaningful in this se'if: Kedushah leaves an impression. An object may no longer be usable for its original mitzvah, but we don't treat it as though its history means nothing.That idea can shape the way we look at much more than tzitzis. Judaism teaches us not only how to value something while we need it, but also how to honor what once served something meaningful. The old strings may no longer be kosher tzitzis, but they remind us that something which helped us perform a mitzvah deserves gratitude and respect even after its job is finished.Key TakeawaysPractical Lesson