Do Knot Disturb

The Acharonim discuss a tangential point. The Gemara in Bava Metzia (90b) records a conversation between Rebbe Yonasan and Rebbe Simai. It is clear from that conversation that Rebbe Yonasan was a kohein. How, then, could he visit a cemetery? The Seder HaDoros offers a simple answer. There were two Amoraim named Rebbe Yonasan, and only one of them was a kohein. Based on other sources, the Mitzpeh Eisan says that there were three Amoraim named Rebbe Yonasan and still only one of them was a kohein. The one mentioned in our Gemara was not a kohein.

Another major tangential point raised regarding our Gemara is the appropriateness of allowing one’s tzitzis to drag on the ground. Apparently, Rebbe Chiya had no issue with tzitzis strings dragging on the ground. He was only bothered by the fact that the tzitzis strings were being dragged over graves. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 21:4) says that one should be careful that his tzitzis strings not drag on the ground. This seems to be contradicted by our Gemara.

The Yad Aharon differentiates between a tallis gadol worn during davening and tzitzis worn all day. Only the strings of a tallis gadol should not be dragged on the ground. Since a tallis gadol is designated for prayer, it acquires extra sanctity and must be treated with extra care. Understandably, Rebbe Yonasan was not wearing his tallis gadol in the cemetery. The tzitzis strings in question were attached to a different garment.

The Aruch HaShulchan strongly disagrees with the Yad Aharon. He quotes a solution offered by the Magen Avraham. The Shulchan Aruch only rules to be careful that the tzitzis strings not drag on the ground at the time one is making a berachah on his tzitzis. At that time, since he is not yet wearing it, it could possibly appear that one is using his tzitzis strings to clean the floor. After one is already wearing his tzitzis, everyone can readily see that the dragging of the strings on the floor is inadvertent.

Another possibility offered by the Magen Avraham is that Rebbe Yonasan’s strings were dragging on top of stones above the graves. They were never touching the ground.

Yet another possibility offered by the Aruch HaShulchan is that one must be careful that his tzitzis strings not drag on the floor where there is a possibility that they will be stepped on. That would be a real disgrace for tzitzis strings. Otherwise, the Aruch HaShulchan argues, “How is it possible for one to learn or daven and not have his tzitzis strings touch the floor?” The Aruch HaShulchan therefore concludes that if occasionally his strings touch the floor, one need not be concerned.

The Magen Avraham notes that the Gemara records that Ben Tzitzis HaKeses was a wealthy individual, possibly so named because his tzitzis never dragged on the floor. The implication is that everyone else allowed their tzitzis to at least occasionally touch the floor.