Disposing Old Tzitzit

The Aish Rabbi Replies

Tzitzit are not considered sacred in the same manner as actual sacred items such as a Torah or religious book. However, the tzitzit strings, since they were used for a mitzvah, should not be treated with disdain. Therefore, tzitzit strings should not be thrown directly into the garbage. A common practice is to first place them in a closed opaque bag (or to double-bag them) and then throw them out. It is also acceptable to leave them near a garbage bin, even though you know that workers will later throw them out. (It’s common to see this after Sukkot every year with s’chach, the foliage used to cover the Sukkah, which people leave outside near the garbage but not in it.)

For tzitzit, many have a nicer practice of placing them in genizah (shaimos) – to be buried together with worn religious books and the like. Some will also save a shorn string to be used as a bookmark (in a Torah book) – based on the reasoning that since it was once used for a mitzvah, it should continue to be used for a mitzvah.

Note that the garment which contains the tzitzit strings has even less sanctity since it is really just an article of clothing like a shirt or a blouse. Only the strings must be treated respectfully when you discard them. Even so, when a garment wears out, you should not use it in an especially disrespectful way – such as to wipe up dirt or use it as a rag. However, after you take off the strings, you may certainly throw it into the garbage as regular.

One further concern with discarding an old pair of tzitzit is that it’s considered improper to ruin kosher tzitzit strings even if you no longer plan to use them. Therefore, you should not simply cut them off the corners of the garment. Ideally, you should carefully untie the old strings to take the off the worn garment. However, rather than such a time-consuming endeavor, it is also acceptable to cut the corners of the garment itself – cutting until you reach the hole that the strings hang from. You can then simply pull off the strings, discard them carefully, and throw out the garment.

One further point is that a tallit – the larger four-corner garment we wear specifically in the synagogue and for prayers, does have a level of sanctity since it is designated for use together with prayer. Therefore, not only its strings, but the garment itself should be disposed of more respectfully. There is no custom to put it in genizah as with tzitzit strings; however, it should not be thrown directly into the garbage, but first placed inside its own bag.

(Sources: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 21:1-2 with Rema, Mishna Berurah 21:7,8,12,13;15:3.)