Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the prohibition of 'sha'atnez' (wool and linen together) mean?
A: The Torah prohibits wearing a garment that combines wool and linen together, known as 'sha'atnez.' This is one of the chukim (statutes) in the Torah—commandments whose reasons are not explicitly stated but are followed out of obedience to Hashem. The Talmud (Menachot 39b) discusses the details of this prohibition, and Rashi explains that it applies specifically to wearing wool and linen together in the same garment.
Q: Why is sha'atnez forbidden according to Jewish tradition?
A: While the Torah does not specify the reason for the prohibition of sha'atnez, Jewish tradition offers insights. The Rambam (Hilchos Kilayim 10:29) suggests that this mitzvah helps us avoid imitating pagan practices. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah) also connects it to the story of Kayin (Cain) and Hevel (Abel), where wool (from Hevel’s sheep) and linen (from Kayin’s flax) represent conflict. Avoiding their mixture teaches us to pursue harmony and avoid destructive combinations.
Q: How do we know if a garment has sha'atnez today?
A: Today, garments must be checked by a certified sha'atnez lab to ensure they do not contain a forbidden mixture of wool and linen. Many Orthodox Jews have their clothing, especially suits and coats, professionally checked. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 298-299) details the laws of sha'atnez, including exceptions like small threads or decorative elements that may not be problematic.
Q: Does the prohibition of sha'atnez apply to all fabrics?
A: No, the prohibition of sha'atnez applies only to a specific mixture of wool (from sheep) and linen (from flax). Other fabric combinations, such as cotton and polyester, are permitted. The Mishnah (Kilayim 9:1) clarifies that only wool and linen are included in this prohibition, based on the Torah’s wording in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:11.
Q: What can we learn from the mitzvah of sha'atnez in daily life?
A: The mitzvah of sha'atnez teaches us the importance of boundaries and distinctions in life. Just as wool and linen must remain separate, we must recognize that certain things in life—such as holiness and impurity, or sacred and mundane—should not be mixed carelessly. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 557) explains that this mitzvah trains us in discipline and mindfulness of Hashem’s commandments in all aspects of life, even in what we wear.
The Prohibition of Shatnez
The verse (Devarim 22:11) states: "לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתִּים יַחְדָּו" ("Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers kinds, of wool and linen together"). This prohibition is known as shatnez, a term derived from the words shua (combing) and tavui (spinning), referring to the process of combining wool and linen fibers.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 22:11) explains that the Torah forbids wearing a garment that contains a mixture of wool and linen, even if the two materials are not woven together but merely attached (e.g., through stitching or tying). He cites the Sifrei, which emphasizes that this prohibition applies specifically to wearing such a garment, but not to merely owning or trading in it.
Rambam's Halachic Perspective
In Mishneh Torah (Hilchos Kilayim 10:2), the Rambam elaborates on the details of this mitzvah:
Symbolic and Mystical Interpretations
The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 557) suggests that shatnez serves as a reminder of the distinct roles and natures of different creations. Just as Hashem designated each species to its purpose, mixing wool and linen—materials with different origins—violates this divine order.
The Zohar (Vayikra 104a) offers a deeper, mystical explanation: wool (from an animal) represents din (strict judgment), while linen (from a plant) represents chessed</em (kindness). Combining them disrupts the balance of these spiritual forces.
Practical Observance
Halacha requires careful examination of clothing to avoid shatnez. Many Orthodox Jews rely on certified shatnez laboratories to test garments. The prohibition extends to:
Exceptions include the priestly garments (e.g., the ephod and choshen), which contained wool and linen as commanded for the Avodah in the Beis HaMikdash (Rambam, Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 8:13).