Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 24

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 24 — English translation

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

1. 1[Various] Practices of Wearing ציצית and it's Rewards and Punishments. Containing 6 Se'ifim: If a person does not wear a garment with four corners then he is not obligated in [the מצוה of] ציצית. [However,] it is good and proper that a person should be cautious to wear a small טלית every day, in order that he should remember the מצות at every moment. Therefore, there are five knots [in each corner] which correspond to the five books of the Torah, and there are four corners, so that in whichever direction he faces, he will remember. It is proper to wear ציצית over his garments and at the very least, he should be careful to wear ציצית at the time of prayer.
2. 2It is a מצוה to grasp the ציצית with one's left hand near one's heart while reciting Kriyat Shema. This is alluded to [in the verse] "And these words shall be...on your heart."
3. 3It is good to look at the ציצית while donning them, when you say the blessing.
4. 4Some have a custom to look at their ציצית when they reach [the verse] "And you shall see them," and to place them on their eyes. This is a beautiful custom and [a way of] showing love for the מצוה. Rem"a: Some also have the custom of kissing their ציצית when they look at them, and all of this is [a way of] showing love for the מצוה (Beit Yosef).
5. 5When one looks upon the ציצית he should look at the two fringes in front of him that have ten knots in total that allude to the Havayot (ie. Hashem's name YKVK with 10 different vowelizations), and they also have sixteen strings and ten knots that total twenty six which is the [gematria of the divine] name YKVK.
6. 6Great is the punishment for one who does not fulfill the מצוה of ציצית. Regarding such an individual it is said, that "to hold the ends of the earth [like a garment] [and to shake the wicked out of it]" (Job 38:13). And one who is careful in the מצוה of ציצית will merit and see the face of the Divine Presence.

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