Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

A Blanket Rule

March 20, 2025

Q Why doesn’t a blanket need tzitzis?

A The straightforward answer is that a blanket is not worn as garments are, as it is only draped over the body, and the mitzvah of tzitzis applies only to a ksus (garment). Indeed, the Mordechai (Menachos 941) offers this reasoning. But some argue that even a cloth used for covering requires tzitzis. Notably, Rabeinu Eliyahu, an Ashkenazi Rishon, would attach tzitzis to his blanket (cited in Bais Yosef O.C. 18), but this practice was not widely adopted.

One rationale for exempting a blanket is that it is a ksus leilah (a garment typically used at night). This follows the Rosh’s view (cited in O.C. 18:1) that night garments are exempt from tzitzis even when worn by day. But the Rambam (cited ibid.) argues that during the day, night garments are obligated in tzitzis.

Since the Rambam’s view here is followed lechumra, the Mishnah Brurah (ibid. 8) rules that a blanket should have tzitzis, or its corners should be rounded—but only if it’s made of wool. With blankets of other fabrics, one may rely on the lenient view, because such materials are only obligated in tzitzis mideRabanan.

The Mishnah Brurah is also strict regarding woolen bedsheets. But the Chazon Ish (O.C. 3:36) disagrees, because they are not used for covering.

Many poskim dispute the Mishnah Brurah’s stringency about blankets and exempt even woolen blankets from tzitzis, noting that this is the prevalent minhag. Various reasons are cited for this position:

• The Mordechai’s opinion is considered halacha (Aruch Hashulchan ibid. 8).
• The four corners of the blanket do not align as front and back corners. This is one of the reasons that a scarf is exempt, as noted in Darchei Moshe 10:6 (Hisorerus Teshuvah 1:9).
• The size of a blanket makes it impractical to wear outside (see Piskei Teshuvos 10 fn. 85).

If a non-woolen duvet is placed inside a woolen duvet cover, all agree that there is no reason for stringency, as the duvet cover is secondary to the duvet (Piskei Teshuvos 10:13).