Tzitzit and Kilts

[Jewish Highlander]

Shalom Y'all,

Has anyone ever put tzitzit strings in the corners of their kilt or more specifically a flying plaid thus making it a tallit??? I long for the day when I can properly wear my tzitzit on the outside via a kilt (like it was intended) rather than wearing 3 shirts (an undershirt, wool tallit katan, and an outer shirt) all the time.

[CDNSushi]

Shalom Y'all,

Has anyone ever put tzitzit strings in the corners of their kilt or more specifically a flying plaid thus making it a tallit??? I long for the day when I can properly wear my tzitzit on the outside via a kilt (like it was intended) rather than wearing 3 shirts (an undershirt, wool tallit katan, and an outer shirt) all the time.

Shalom! You may wish to try and contact Rabbi Mendel Jacobs about that. He is the creator of a kosher, Jewish tartan and may know a thing or two about tzitzit on kilts. http://www.jewishtartan.com/

However, I suspect that the two would be incompatible. Fly plaid are generally worn in the evening, not to mention the fact that they are considered to be very much formal wear... While wearing tallitot in the evening is frowned upon or prohibited (depending on your beliefs).

[Geoff Withnell]

My solution is to wear a laird's plaid. However, I suspect a lot of rabbis would make a case that fly plaids, even if worn in the evening, should have fringes. The commandment is to put a fringe on the corners of your garment. The tallit (and tallit katan, the undershirt like garment) came into use because we stopped wearing four cornered cloaks as every day wear. However, if you are going to wear a four cornered cloak (and isn't that what a plaid is, basically?) the commandment applies, and you should tie fringes to it. I have done this with my Leartherneck plaid, and I am working on the others. Not today of course, it's Shabbos.

[flyrod6057]

The kilt, while being made of a square, ends up being worn wrapped into a "tube" essentially. Thus, it is my personal view that it is exempt from requiring tzitzit. The fly plaid, however, would appear to qualify, as mentioned above. As suggested, you'd probably wish to consult a rabbi (preferably one familiar with Scottish garments.)

[piperdbh]

Here's a question from a gentile:
Would the kiltwearer have to attach the fringes/tassels to the plaid, or would pulling out the threads along the edges of the plaid, this "fringing" it all around, suffice?

[flyrod6057]

Here's a question from a gentile:
Would the kiltwearer have to attach the fringes/tassels to the plaid, or would pulling out the threads along the edges of the plaid, this "fringing" it all around, suffice?

An all-around fringe wouldn't do the trick, since tzitzit (Jewish ritual fringes) are tied according to specific guidelines. In fact, they're more like a small tassel. And like so many things Jewish, there are a number of rules surrounding their proper wear.

[Geoff Withnell]

Here's a question from a gentile:
Would the kiltwearer have to attach the fringes/tassels to the plaid, or would pulling out the threads along the edges of the plaid, this "fringing" it all around, suffice?

I thought I had already posted this, but I don't see this morning. Here is a picture of the "fringes" in question.

[piperdbh]

I'm familiar with tzitzit; I was just curious of they had to be applied to the garment, or if the natural fringing of a piece of fabric would count. Thanks for the picture, Geoff.

[Pleater]

Oh - macrame work!

Would a long plaid be suitable for the application of tzitzit?

I mean the rectangular strip, folded and then worn under the right arm and over the left shoulder toga fashion. It is a daytime garment rather than evening wear like the fly plaid and an actual garment rather than a remnant of someting once more useful.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Geoff Withnell]

Oh - macrame work!

Would a long plaid be suitable for the application of tzitzit?

I mean the rectangular strip, folded and then worn under the right arm and over the left shoulder toga fashion. It is a daytime garment rather than evening wear like the fly plaid and an actual garment rather than a remnant of someting once more useful.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

So I believe. My day plaids and piper's plaid have tzitzit on the corners. I have worn a kilt and plaid to weekday services and wrapped myself in the plaid as one would with a more standard tallit. Several rabbis, including my own, have said that it showed that I was thinking about the commandments, which is the purpose of the tzitzit in the first place.