Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 21

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 21 — English translation

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

1. 1What To Do With ציצית That Detached and With An Old טלית. Containing 4 Se'ifim: ציצית strings that detached may be thrown into the garbage, because it is a מצוה that does not possess it's own holiness (i.e. ציצית are only a מצוה by virtue of their being attached to a four cornered garment). However, as long as they are attached to a טלית it is forbidden to use them [for another purpose], like to tie something [with them] or similar, because this is disrespectful to the מצוה [And there are those who say that even after they become detached, one should not treat them disrespectfully by throwing them into a dirty place, but they don't need to be ritually buried (Kol Bo - Laws of Shabbat). And there are those who are punctilious to ritually bury them, and for the one who is stringent and careful in the performance of מצות, a blessing shall come upon him) (Mahari"l - Laws of ציצית)(And see below - siman 664, se'if 8 and 9)].
2. 2A טלית used for the מצות [of ציצית] that wore out, a person should not use them. And one is not permitted to wipe himself with them, and not to designate them for any disgusting use, rather he can throw them away, and they will wear out [on their own].
3. 3It is permitted to enter a bathroom with ציצית. Rem"a: And certainly to sleep in them is permitted. And there are those that write that it is our custom to not sleep in a טלית that has ציצית on it, also one shouldn't give it to a non-Jewish cleaner to clean. And all these things are so that commandments shouldn't become disgraced because of it. However, the custom is to be lenient [with regards] to sleeping in them (Kol Bo).
4. 4There should be caution, when a man wears a טלית, that he shouldn't drag it's ציצית [on the ground].

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