Why is sefira counted while standing?
Shulchan Aruch writes that one should count sefira while standing. The Mishnah Berurah explains that the Rishonim found an inference for this in a pasuk referring to Sefiras Haomer-meihacheil chermesh bakamah. The last word of the quote(bakamah) can also be read bakomah, meaning "at full height"-suggesting that the person should be at his full height when counting sefira. The Aruch Hashulchan adds that the significance of counting sefira is on par with Shemona Esreh which must be said standing. The Mishnah Berurah writes that one should stand even while reciting the beracha that precedes the counting, as is the case with all berachos that are recited before mitzvos.
(ס"ק ו ושעה"צ ס"ק ז; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 26)
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Hilchos Tzitzis 12 (page 46)
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The Rosh's Opinion on Torn Tzitzis
The Length of "Kdei Aniva"
Reparing a Torn String
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The Rosh's opinion on torn tzitzis
According to the Rosh, if the tzitzis strings tore after they were placed on the garment they remain kosher if the length of kdei aniva is left on all four [doubled] strings. If it is unclear whether one of the strings qualifies for kdei aniva, the tzitzis are pasul. Our minhag is to mark one side of the doubled strings after tying the first knot to ensure that half of each doubled string is on either side of the final knot. This way, even if they rip at the base on one side they are still kosher because kdei aniva remains on each string.
(סעיף א, וס"ק ג, ה, ו ו־ז)
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The lenght of "kdei aniva"
There are three main opinions about the length of kdei aniva, the length of string needed to wrap the torn string around: is it the length of one other string, all the torn strings, or all the tzitzis strings. The halacha follows the middle opinion -- that the remnant must be able to wrap around all the torn strings. In a time of pressing need, it is enough for it to wrap around just one other string. The poskim discuss whether the two ends of a ripped string, where neither is kdei aniva but together they equal kdei aniva and one side is long enough to wrap around at least one other string, can be combined for the purpose of kdei aniva
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סעיף א, ס"ק ג, וביה"ל ד"ה אם וד"ה שנפסק; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 3)
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A torn string that was reconnected with a permanent knot may be used for tzitzis. If one side of a doubled tzitzis string completely tore off and at least kdei aniva remained on the other side, the string may be tied together and used. If later the second side tears off completely, the tzitzis are still kosher because the first side has already been repaired. There is an opinion that disqualifies this case when the second tear leaves less than kdei aniva because of ta'aseh v'lo min ha'asui. According to all, a tzitzis string that became disqualified after being placed on the garment cannot be repaired through tying.
(ס"ק ז; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 6)
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- The Acharonim recommend following the Arizal system for winding the lead thread around the others. According to him, the numbers for each section are: seven, eight, eleven, and thirteen.
- Ideally, the tzitzis strings should be arranged to dangle over the corner and not to hang from the bottom. This can be accomplished by drawing the strings across the side of the garment rather than having them hang straight down.
- According to some poskim, a patch of material different from the rest of the talis should not be attached underneath the corners of the garment. Others hold that a patch stuck onto a garment is batul to it and does not interfere. The custom is to permit adding a patch under the corners of the garment.
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- Rabbenu Tam's opinion on torn tzitzis
- The halacha of torn tzitzis
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