Tzitzis, also called arba kanfos or tallit katan, is the daily garment worn by Jewish men and boys to fulfill the mitzvah of wearing fringes on a four-cornered garment. At Eichlers, we carry the full range including wool, cotton, mesh, and undershirt styles in every nusach, so you can find exactly what fits your minhag and your daily comfort.
Wool is the halachically preferred material for arba kanfos. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 9:1) rules that a wool garment fulfills the mitzvah of tzitzis at the Torah level, which is why most yeshivish and Chassidish men wear wool every single day. For those who want to be mehudar in this mitzvah, wool is the clear standard.
Our wool tzitzis come in black-striped styles for Ashkenaz and Chassidish communities, white-striped designs for Sefardic nusach, and white-on-white for Chabad minhag. Every wool garment sold at Eichlers is shatnez-tested before it reaches you, confirming no prohibited wool-linen mixture is present in the fabric.
Browse our wool V-neck tzitzis or shop wool round neck tzitzis to find your nusach and size.
Cotton arba kanfos are the most widely worn option among Ashkenazi men and boys in the United States. The Rema rules that cotton carries the mitzvah obligation as well. The Vilna Gaon and the Chazon Ish are both known to have worn cotton, and Rav Moshe Feinstein specifically permitted it when wool causes discomfort, especially in hot weather.
Cotton tzitzis are soft, breathable, and machine-washable, which makes them a reliable everyday choice for men and a practical option for children. Poly-cotton blends offer a slightly lighter feel and are popular for boys across all age groups. Both come in V-neck and round neck with avodas yad or meyuchad strings.
Shop cotton V-neck tzitzis or browse cotton round neck tzitzis by size and nusach.
Mesh arba kanfos are made from breathable, open-weave fabric that works well in warm climates, during summer months, and for active boys at school or camp. Most mesh styles are cotton or poly-cotton and are accepted by the majority of poskim for daily wear. They dry quickly and hold up with regular washing without losing their shape.
Undershirt-style tzitzis combine the arba kanfos garment and undershirt into one piece, which many younger boys find more comfortable for all-day wear. These styles are common in day schools and yeshivos and are an easy, practical solution for parents who want something that stays in place throughout the day.
A boy's first arba kanfos is one of the most meaningful parts of upsherin, the haircut ceremony at age three that marks the beginning of his Jewish education and mitzvah observance. From that day forward, he wears tzitzis every day. Our children's tzitzis collection runs from size 2 through size 14, covering every stage with cotton, poly-cotton, and mesh options that are gentle on young skin and easy to launder.
Many families keep boys in cotton through their early years, then transition to wool as they approach bar mitzvah to fulfill the mitzvah at the Torah level. Ask your Rov about when to make that change based on your family's minhag. If you're shopping for an upsherin occasion, our upsherin gifts collection has meaningful items to pair with a first set of tzitzis.
Wool fulfills the mitzvah at the Torah level and is the preferred choice for yeshivish and Chassidish men. Cotton is fully accepted for Ashkenazim based on the Rema's ruling and is the most practical material for children and everyday comfort. Sephardim typically wear wool to satisfy the d'Oraisa requirement. When you're unsure, ask your Rov based on your community's minhag.
V-neck, also called slit neck, is the standard cut for Ashkenaz and Sefard communities. Round neck with two holes is the Chabad and Chassidish standard. This follows communal minhag, not a point of halacha. Buy what your shul and family have always worn.
Avodas yad strings are hand-spun specifically for the mitzvah with full intent from the spinning stage onward. This is the higher standard and the everyday choice of most Chassidish and yeshivish men. Meyuchad strings are machine-produced with mitzvah intent added during manufacturing. Both are fully kosher. Avodas yad is the hiddur for those who want the best.
String thickness is a separate preference entirely. Thick strings are the Chassidish norm. Thin strings are standard across Litvish and most Ashkenazi communities. Neither affects the kashrut of the garment.
One-hole tzitzis are standard for Ashkenaz, Sefard, and Sephardic communities. Two-hole garments are the Chabad and Chassidish standard. Buy according to the custom of your community.
Adult sizes run from 18 through 28, measured by garment width in inches. Size 20 or 22 fits most average adult builds. Those being machmir on the shiur beged, the minimum halachic size requirement, often go with size 24 or larger. The Chazon Ish requires 60cm by 60cm beyond the neck opening. Rav Chaim Na'eh holds 50cm by 50cm. Rav Moshe Feinstein rules 55cm by 55cm. Sizing up keeps you within all opinions.
Children's sizes run from 2 through 14, matching roughly to a boy's age in years. Always buy one size up since children grow quickly and the garment needs room to last. A three-year-old starting at upsherin typically begins with size 4 or 6. A bar mitzvah boy transitions to adult sizing from that point on.
Cotton and mesh tzitzis can be machine-washed on a gentle cold cycle. Loosely tie the strings into a small laundry bag before washing to prevent tangling, then hang to dry or use a low tumble setting. Wool arba kanfos should be hand-washed with a wool-safe detergent or taken to a dry cleaner, then laid flat to dry.
Inspect the strings regularly. If a string breaks above the knot or frays shorter than the minimum required length, the garment is no longer kosher and should be replaced. Most men replace their arba kanfos every one to two years with regular daily wear.
Tzitzis are one part of a frum man's daily wardrobe. Eichlers carries the full range of Jewish garments alongside them.
Wool is the preferred material per the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 9:1). The Rema permits cotton for Ashkenazim. Sephardim typically wear wool. Follow your Rov's guidance based on your minhag.
Yes. All wool arba kanfos are shatnez-tested before sale to confirm no linen is present, as required by the Torah prohibition of shatnez.
Start with size 4 or 6 in cotton. Buy one size larger than his current age. Children grow fast and the garment must meet the shiur beged minimum size requirement.
The strings were hand-spun specifically for the mitzvah from the spinning stage onward. It is the higher halachic standard, preferred by Chassidish and yeshivish men over machine-made strings.
V-neck is standard for Ashkenaz and Sefard. Round neck with two holes is the Chabad and Chassidish standard. The choice follows your communal minhag.
Yes. A quality pair of wool tzitzis with avodas yad strings is a practical and meaningful gift. Visit our bar mitzvah gifts collection for more ideas.
Most men replace arba kanfos every one to two years. Replace immediately if strings break above the knot or fray below the minimum kosher length. Check strings regularly.