Holding Tzitzit While Saying Shema, and Reward and Punishment regarding Tzitzit

Chapter Fifteen Page 41 Laws of a Tallit that was Torn; and of Wearing Zizit, its reward and punishment

5. It is a Mitzva to hold the ziziot in the left hand close to the heart when reciting the Shema; the Torah makes an allusion to this: (Deut. 11) 'and these matters should be placed on your heart.' It is commendable to look at the ziziot when saying the blessing over them.  Some have the custom to look at the ziziot when they reach the words 'ure'item oto' ('...and you shall look at it...') and to put them on their eyes.  This is a fine custom which demonstrates affection for the Mitzva.  When looking at the ziziot one should look at the two ziziot in front which have ten knots, an allusion to Havayot (which refers to the ten spheres (Sefirot) of Kabbala which are attached together) and also have sixteen threads which together with the ten knots add up to twenty-six, the numerical value of Havaya (the Holy One blessed be He).
The punishment of one who abstains from the Mitzva of zizit is considerable; concerning him it states (Job 38) 'I have commanded to grasp the corners of the earth and shake out the wicked from it'. One who is meticulous in keeping the Mitzva of zizit shall have the merit of greeting the Divine Presence.

Note from us: Please consult your own rabbi to find out what to do - these are for learning purposes only.
As quoted from:
Shulchan HaMelech, a Kitzur Shulchan Aruch in 3 volumes as compiled by Maharan HaRav Shmuel Laniado z'al, 1923 with the supplement "Al HaShulchan" containing various opinions compiled by Ezra Basri, Chief Justice of the District Court, Jerusalem in 1992.

We would like to dedicate this learning for the speedy and complete recovery of several people, including Gittel bas Yehudis, Mendel ben Florence, our friends' 5-year-old son, Joseph Benjamin, son of Ireneusz Khrystof, diagnosed in April with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and a longtime friend of the family, Franco, son of Joseph, who is B"H recovering from thyroid surgery. Please have them in mind when studying. For updates on Joey please go to his site, http://caringbridge.org/visit/josephlacki

 B"H we did our last Happiness Conference Call Tuesday night on skype, reading the Rabbi Pliskin Happiness book as a merit for these and other cholim - we thank those who participated and hope you will all join us for the next installment tonight at 9pm (contact me to find out how to join - aimee.cohen@gmail.com). We are also thinking about recording/rerecording the classes and uploading them to a web site - for that we need sponsors though - we can mention the sponsor on the site and in the class itself and the money will go to one of several charities. For more information please ask! :)