Q. Dear Rabbi. Can one use during winter a Taalit Kattan that is similar to a warm vest. It has short sleeves, but just under the armpits it is split and divided, so most of the front and the back is similar to any other Taalit Kattan. The only other issue is that the edges on the side have a number of buttons that can close the vest. Is it permitted, when the buttons are not used, to make a bracha on it? Does the fact that the user may at one point when it is cold, button up the sides destroy its validity as a Taalit Kattan?
A. Mishna Berura (10: 29) is lenient on using buttons or other easily undone fasteners. However, Piskei Teshuvos quoting Eishel Avrohom, maintains that even buttons or other easily undone fasteners, should be avoided
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although it is preferable to use a plain regular Taalis Kotton, this vest type can be used even when it is buttoned and the brocho can be recited.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a.