May Women Tie Tzitzit Knots?

by Rabbi Shoshana Gelfand, 1997; Edited by Rabbi Robert Binder

Question (Sh’eilah)

May women tie tzitzit knots?

Answer (Teshuvah)

The earliest source dealing with the question of women tying the ritual knots on a tallitis the Tosafot (12th to 13th centuries) commenting on a discussion in the Gemara about the permissibility of non-Jews making tzitzit. Although Rabbenu Tam, Rashi’s grandson and one of the leading tosafists, disagrees, the tosafot interpret the Gemarato mean that women may indeed tietzitzit. This opinion, however, was not universally accepted.

A commentary on Maimonides’ law code, the Mishneh Torah, extends the prohibition on tying tzitzit to women, although the author was clearly aware of cases where it was done: “Rabbenu Yehuda taught his wife to make tzitzit, but in the name of my teacher, I found that [women] may not do so, as it is written, ‘Speak to the b’nei [literally, “sons of”] Israel and instruct them to make for themselves tzitzit…’ [Numbers 15:37]. But the rest of the preparation of the tallitand the spinning of the threads they [women] may do…” [Hagahot Maimaniot on Laws of Tzitzit 1:12]. The commentary goes on to refer to several more actual cases of women who tied tzitzit, but does not approve of it.

The Shulchan Arukh, the authoritative law code compiled by Rabbi Joseph Karo (published 1550-59), specifically says that women may indeed tie tzitzit,but Rabbi Moses Isserles (the Rema), recommends that men make them, although b’di’eved (“after the case”) it is permitted for women to do so. Subsequent legal opinions preserve the most stringent view, that women are not permitted to tie tzitzitunder any circumstances, despite the heter (permission) of the Shulchan Arukh and references to less strict interpretation.

In light of the disagreement among commentators and the clear permission given in recognized sources, there is plenty of room to permit women to tie tzitzit. The only question is whether there is a compelling reason for them to do so. With many North American Jews searching for meaning in their lives, rabbis are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate to their congregants that performing mitzvot can be a joyous and spiritual experience. We should, therefore, not only permit but actively encourage both men and women to make tallitot and tie tzitzit. It is our hope that personal involvement in this act of hiddur mitzvah (“beautifying the commandment”) will lead to greater participation in this mitzvah.