If a person removes his Tallit at some point during the prayer service, such as to use the restroom, does he recite a new Beracha when he puts it back on?
The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 8) rules that one must, indeed, recite a new Beracha each time he puts on his Tallit. Even though one knew at the time when he removed his Tallit that he would be wearing it again after several minutes, nevertheless, he must, according to the Shulhan Aruch, recite a new Beracha when he puts it back on. However, the Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles of Cracow, Poland, 1525-1572), in his glosses to the Shulhan Aruch, cites other authorities who disagree. In their view, one who removes his Tallit with the intention of putting it back on after several moments does not recite a new Beracha when he puts it back on.
As for the final Halacha, we apply to this case the famous Halachic principle of "Safek Berachot Le’hakel," which means that we do not recite a Beracha if there is some uncertainty as to whether it is warranted. Given the difference of opinion among the authorities regarding such a case, one who removes his Tallit with the intention of soon putting it back on does not recite a new Beracha.
Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998) arrived at a very interesting ruling on the basis of this discussion. If a person must use the restroom toward the end of the prayer service, and when he returns there are only several minutes or so remaining until the end of the service, then he should not put his Tallit back on. As we saw, whenever a person removes his Tallit momentarily and then puts it back on, he places himself in a situation regarding which there is a debate concerning the recitation of a new Beracha. Generally, as mentioned, he should put the Tallit on without reciting a new Beracha, in light of the rule of "Safek Berachot Le’hakel." However, if in any event the prayer service has almost concluded, then it is preferable to simply not wear the Tallit again, and thereby avoid this controversy. In such a case, one should rather forfeit the several minutes of wearing the Tallit than to bring himself in a situation of uncertainty concerning the recitation of the Beracha.
Another interesting question concerns a person who, every morning, after donning his Tefillin, momentarily removes his Tallit in order to place his arm in his jacket. After arranging his jacket, he immediately puts the Tallit back on. The question arises as to whether this is a proper practice, given that he knowingly places himself in a situation of Safek (Halachic uncertainty) each day. Seemingly, one should not remove his Tallit unless this is absolutely necessary, in order to avoid the aforementioned debate concerning the recitation of a new Beracha.
In truth, however, this individual’s practice is acceptable, based on the ruling of the Magen Abraham (Rabbi Abraham Gombiner, Poland, 1637-1683), cited by the Be’ur Halacha (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933). The Magen Abraham ruled that if a person initially recited the Beracha over the Tallit with the intention that he would at some point remove it momentarily, then according to all views he does not recite a new Beracha when he puts the Tallit back on. The Shulhan Aruch required reciting a new Beracha only in a situation where one had not anticipated removing his Tallit. However, if at the time when one first put on his Tallit he knew that he would have to remove it, then he does not recite a new Beracha when he puts it back on after removing it, even according to the Shulhan Aruch.
Therefore, since this individual recites the initial Beracha each morning with the knowledge that he will momentarily remove his Tallit after donning his Tefillin, he does not place himself in a situation of Safek. In this situation, all views agree that no new Beracha is required when he puts the Tallit back on.
Summary: If a person removes his Tallit briefly, such as to use the restroom, he does not recite a new Beracha when he puts it back on. If this occurs toward the end of the prayer service, he should preferably not put the Tallit back on at all. It is improper to momentarily remove one’s Tallit unless this is necessary, or if he knew from the outset when he first put on the Tallit that he would be momentarily removing it at some point thereafter.
