Hole Options for Arba Kanfot

Hole Options for Arba Kanfos

Hole options of the Arba Kanfot Tzitzit, Abra Kanfos Tzitzis for kids and adults

There are different customs regarding the holes in the garment through which the tzitzit fringes are inserted.

One Hole

חור אחד בלבד

Most have one hole in each corner (between 4cm-6cm from the edge) through which the strings are drawn. This is the most-followed custom, by Ashkenazic/אשכנזי and Eduth Hamizrach / עדות המזרח communities.

Two Holes: Horizontal

אָפְקִי מְאֻזָּן

The Chassidic custom has two holes, right next to each other, and the Tzitzit strings goes through one hole, and comes out from the other hole. The strings are then tied the regulat Ashkenazic way.

Two Holes: Diagonal

אֳלַכְסוֹן

The Chabad custom requires two holes diagonally.

In the Tallit Kattan (Arba Kanfot, under-garment), the two holes are next to each other diagonally, and the strings are drawn through both holes; in the Tallit Gadol (large prayer shawl), the second hole is near the edge of each corner (11/16th of an inch above the edge of the garment), through which one of the threads is drawn after tying the first double knot, just before proceeding with the coils. This fastens the tzitzit to the side and prevents them from slipping down.