This week we received an interesting question about how to wear a tzitzit undershirt.

I have seen guys wearing tzitzit with no undershirt and no top shirt so there is bare skin showing a little. Is this frowned on, or is it becoming more acceptable? – Michael F.

I haven’t seen that myself, but, well – I don’t get out much.

In any case, I explained to Michael that his is not really a tzitzit question, per se, but rather a general question of appropriate dress. Before you tie on the tzitzit, the only significant difference between a “tzitzit undershirt” and a regular undershirt is that the tzitzit must be open a bit more than halfway along the sides. If it’s 51% open it requires tzitzit, whereas if it’s 49% open it doesn’t, and in fact you cannot fulfill the mitzvah with it.

So imagine if guys are out on the basketball court. Everyone took off their shirt and tzitzit and they’re all playing in t-shirts or undershirts. On each team you see three or four guys wearing an undershirt that’s closed along the sides, and then one or two guys wearing an undershirt that’s open about halfway up the sides, showing their midriff. Would that be inappropriate attire?

I just described a basketball court scene to make it easier to picture. You could then ask the same question in a different setting.

Apparently a lot of people felt uncomfortable with their midriff showing, so some companies came out with the TzitzShirt, which has snaps along the sides.

Since the Shulchan Aruch discusses appropriate attire, this is a really a halachic question you’re asking, so I would advise readers to discuss it with their rabbi.

One of the manufacturers that makes the DryFit made it without straps, for some reason. So although it does have sleeves, when you wear it for a jog or a hike or a game of tennis, etc., your sides are showing. I always found this design a bit surprising.

I tried one out and definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing it outside, so I opted to wear a tank top underneath. For some people that would defeat the purpose, since they want to be down to just one layer. However, note that it helps resolve a separate issue: the question of whether it’s okay to fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzit wearing a garment against your skin (see here and here).