Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 14

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 14 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1The Laws of ציצית That Were Made By A Gentile Or Women And A Borrowed טלית, Containing 5 Se'ifim Tzitzit that are made by a Gentile are invalid, as it is written "speak to the people of Israel" (this statement addresses Jews specifically and) this excludes Gentiles. A Jewish woman may make tzitzit (i.e. they are kosher if made by a woman). Rem"a: And there are those who are stringent to require men to make them, and it is good to do so optimally (Mordechi and Hagahot Maimon in Hilchot ציצית and Tosefot page 42).
2. 2If a Jew put ציצית on his garment without intention [that by putting ציצית on his garment he will be fufilling the mitzvah], if there are no other ציצית available [to replace those which were put on without the intention of fufilling the precept], one may rely on the Rambam whose halachic opinion is that the ציצית [which were put on without intention of fufilling the precept] are fit, but one should not make the blessing over such ציצית.
3. 3One who borrows from his friend a טלית that does not have ציצית on it, he is exempt from putting ציצית on it for thirty days, as it is written " your covering/garment" and not of others. But after thirty days, one obligated, on a rabbinic level, [to put ציצית on it] because it looks like it is his. Rem"a: And if he returns it (the טלית) within 30 days and he takes/borrows the טלית again, [the days from the first and second borrowing] do not combine, rather you need to have thirty consecutive days (Nemukei Yoseph Hilchot Tzitzit) . If one borrowed it when it [already] has ציצית, he should recite the blessing on it immediately.
4. 4It is permissible to take his friend's טלית and to recite the blessing on it, as long as he folds it [when he is finished] if he found it folded. Rem"a: And the same law apply's regarding תפילין (Nemukei Yoseph in Perek Ha'sfina (Bava Batra Chapter 5)). But it is forbidden to learn from holy books of his friend without his knowledge, for we are concerned that he will tear them (ie. the pages in the book) while he is learning [from them] (Nimukei Yosef - Halachot Ketanot)
5. 5A טלית belonging to partners is obligated in [the mitzvah of] ציצית, as its written "on the corners of their garment".

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