DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 1.01 MB)
Sisit: Can Sisit That Are No Longer Used be Disposed of?

The Halacha distinguishes between a "Tashmish Kedusha" (accessory of a holy object) and a "Tashmish Misva" (accessory of a Misva). The case of a Sefer Torah and the boxes of Tefilin are examples of a Tashmish Kedusha. When they wear out or are no longer useful they require Geniza (storage in a sacred repository). Even though they themselves are not holy, they serve holy objects. On the other hand, a Tashmish Misva such as the Sechach of the Sukkah may be discarded after the Hag.

The strings of Sisit are considered Tashmish Misva. Therefore, if they become ripped or torn, they may be thrown away, as they have no Kedusha after their Misva is finished. Of course, they should not be disposed of in a degrading way. It is best to leave them in a place where it is known that someone will come and get rid of them. Alternatively, they may be placed in a plastic bag and then placed in the garbage.

The Poskim discuss whether the calendar for Sefirat HaOmer requires Geniza, or, after ripping off the page with the current count, it may be thrown away. Assuming that there are no names of Hashem or other sacred texts, the actual formula for counting, "Today is such and such day" has no intrinsic holiness. Therefore, after the Misva is completed, the page may be thrown away, in a non-degrading manner. This is the consensus of Rav Gidon in his "Yoru Mishpatecha", as well as Rav Nissim Korelitz and Rav Elyashiv.

SUMMARY

Sisit and other Tashmish Misva, such as Sefirat HaOmer calendar, may be disposed of in a respectful manner after they are no longer used for a Misva.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Soaking One’s Feet in Hot Water on Shabbat to Induce Sweating
The Prohibition Against Using Water Heated by a Non-Jew on Shabbat
Moving Large, Heavy Furniture on Shabbat
Driving a Woman in Labor to and from the Hospital on Shabbat
May One Take a Time Released Capsule on Shabbat for Mosei Shabbat?
May One Feed his Animals on Shabbat?
May One Recite Kiddush if He Cannot Drink the Wine?
Taking a Flight That Takes Off Before Shabbat and Lands After Shabbat
The Benefits of Singing Songs on Shabbat
Is It Permitted to Discard the Waste While Eating
Are Colorful Bowl Cleansers Permissible on Shabbat?
Walking on Snow on Shabbat
Setting Timers ("Shabbat Clocks") Before Shabbat
Using a Doorknocker, Clapping, Banging and Whistling on Shabbat
Mixing Red Wine with White Wine on Shabbat - “Sobe’a,” or “Dyeing”
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found