Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

String Quartet

December 25, 2025

Q How long do tzitzis strings have to be?

A Tzitzis strings comprise two parts: gedil (the wound and knotted portion, from Dvarim 22:12) and anaf (the portion that hangs free, derived from the word “tzitzis” in Bemidbar 15:38). Mi’deOreisa, one chulya (segment) consisting of three windings and a double knot suffices for the gedil (see Menachos 39a, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 11:13, and Mishnah Brurah ibid. 66).

Chazal ordained a more elaborate gedil of several chulyos and knots, and they required the anaf to be double the length of the gedil (Menachos ibid., O.C. 11:4). Most follow the Chazon Ish (O.C. 3:10), who understands that to be a minimum—at least double—but others interpret it as an exact figure, i.e., the anaf should be double the length of the gedil (Kaf Hachaim ibid. 46; see also Biur Halacha ibid. s.v. Yachol).

The deRabanan requirement of an elaborate gedil is not me’akeiv bedi’eved, as long as one chulya and a double knot remain (Chayei Adam 11:19, Mishnah Brurah ibid). Likewise, the ratio of anaf to gedil is not me’akeiv bedi’eved (Mishnah Brurah 11:67). Still, it is obligatory to make tzitzis the way Chazal prescribed (Mishnah Brurah ibid).

Mi’deOreisa, a minimal length suffices (Chayei Adam ibid. 16), but Chazal instituted a shiur of four etzbaos (thumb widths; Menachos 41b), which is one tefach. According to the Rambam, this refers to the entire tzitzis, including both gedil and anaf. Rashi holds it refers only to the anaf, and an additional two etzbaos are required for the gedil. Rabeinu Tam says it refers to the gedil, meaning that an additional eight etzbaos are needed for the anaf, for a total of twelve etzbaos (three tfachim), about 11.5 inches. Rabeinu Tam’s view is codified in Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 11:4).

Many poskim maintain that the length requirement is me’akeiv even bedi’eved (Biur Halacha 11:4 s.v. Vechein). But the Chazon Ish (O.C. 3:7) argues that the only measurement that is me’akeiv is the four etzbaos for the gedil, and the requirement of twelve etzbaos in total is not me’akeiv.

The portion of string between the hole in the garment and the first double knot does not count toward the shiur (Rama O.C. 11:4).

Bedi’eved in this context refers to where short strings were put on the garment, or where longer strings were installed but were later cut deliberately. If the strings tore inadvertently, more lenient rules apply. We shall iy”H discuss that case next week.