Kerias Shema & Tzitzis - looking, holding, and kissing

According to the old Minhag, one holds only two Tzitziyos. This Minhag was changed later, partially because of Rabbonim from Eastern Europe.

The only time one kisses the Tzitzis according to Minhag Ashkenaz is at Ureisem Oso, as Daniel mentioned. One leaves the Tzitziyos at Lo'ad Ulolmei Olomim, like the common minhag.

Michael FRBSH

In the early Poskim there is no Hakpodo as to when one should leave the Tziztziyos, therefore in the short Emes Veyatziv one can leave the Tzitziyos whenever it is most convenient for him.

Michael FRBSH

The minhog changed at the end of the nineteenth century (which was the time many minhogim were lost). Before that there were a few people who held four Tzitziyos (according to the Ari Z'l), but the general minhog was to hold two only.

The minhog to hold two Tzitziyos is brought in Minhogei R' Izak Tirna, Yam Shel Shlomo, Mogen Avrohom, Shulchan Oruch Harav, Kitzur Shulchan Oruch and Oruch Hashulchon.

In Ashkenaz Minhogim books, we can see in the Yosef Ometz and Minhogei Worms that the minhog was to hold two Tzitziyos (although the Yosef Ometz says that he himself held four Tzitziyos according to the Ari Z'l), The Chavos Yo'ir in his sefer Mekor Chayim says that the minhag is two Tzitziyos קven though the Ari Z'l held 4, and R' Aharon Fold in his book Minhogei Frankfurt (from 5600) says that the Minhag was to hold 2 Tzitziyos.

Michael FRBSH

In Boruch Sheomar the Tzitziyos are held in the right hand (two tzitziyos), and in Shema the Tzitziyos are held in the left hand until the third Parsha (vayomer), when they are taken to the right.

There is a big difference between the minhogim to hold the Tzitziyos during Boruch Sheomar and to do so during Shema. In Boruch Sheomar it is Minhag Ha'ari (which was accepted in Ashkenaz), but in Shema the Rishonim hold that it is a minhog from the time of the Talmud, and is considered דינא דגמרא.

Michael FRBSH

One only looks at the Tzitziyos.

Michael FRBSH