ARCHIVED ASK THE RABBI
Asked and Answered:
Why don't all boys start wearing tallitot after their bar mitzvah (many wait until they are married)?
The talit is seen as an article of clothing unique to tefillah. The talit is also one way to fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzit – wearing a four-cornered garment with fringes tied in the special manner attached. (There is a debate among posekim about whether someone is obligated to buy a four-cornered garment to fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzit or whether one is obligated only if they happen to be wearing a four-cornered garment. See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 19.) The custom has developed for men to wear a talit katan (commonly referred to as "tzitzit") at all times (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 24). The custom has developed in many Ashkenazi communities that men do not wear a talit [gadol] until after they get married. The reason for this is that a talit gadol can be quite expensive. Since the general obligation for tzitzit is fulfilled by wearing a talit katan, wearing a talit gadol was seen as an expense that was not necessary to take upon oneself or one's family at the time of Bar-Mitzvah. Although we live in a more affluent society, the prevalent Ashkenazi custom remains to wait until marriage to wear a talit gadol.
Can I wear my retainer on Shabbat?
There are two potential issues at play in this question. The first is whether a retainer is considered a type of medicine or medical treatment prohibited under the category of refuah on Shabbat. The second is whether a retainer may be worn if there is no eruv, or if wearing it is considered carrying?
Concerning the refuah issue, the Shemirat Shabbat ke-Hilchatah says the only type of treatment that falls under this category are those treatments that can be treated with medicine. The prohibition against medicine is derived from a decree (gezeirah) that someone may grind the plants and herbs required for the medicine. In ancient times, this is how medicine was prepared. Since grinding is one of the 39 av melachot, this gezeirah was instituted. Since there is no medicine that could achieve the same results as a retainer, there is no problem of refuah.
Concerning carrying, the Shemirat Shabbat ke-Hilchatah also says there is no concern of carrying a retainer. This is because is essentially an article of clothing. It is custom designed to fit in one's mouth. It is also something that many people in our society wear. One can therefore wear a retainer even in places where there is no eruv.
Conclusion: There are no halachic problems with wearing a retainer on Shabbat.