Shatnez
Question
Which items of clothing must be checked for shatnez? i always check suits and coats but i was wondering if i have to check sweaters to? and scarves, hats etc. anything that has wool? Thanks
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiYou don't need to check your clothing for Shaatnez. The Shaatnez frenzy is just another business venture. Just another Jewish attempt to commercialize the Law. Shaatnez is the prohibition to wear wool & linen together. There are opinions that only consider it Shaatnez if the two are joined together from the beginning, which includes the combing, spinning, & weaving while the fibers are combined. This type Shaatnez does not exist today. We don't take raw wool and raw linen and do all the processing as if they were one material. The chances of having real actual Shaatnez in a garment is at most a Safek DeRabanan or Safek-Sefeka De'Oraita (a possibility of a Rabbinical transgression, or a double-doubt on a Torah Law). In either case, these would be automatically permitted based on the standard Torah rules, unless it is "Efsher Levrurey Bekal." (capable of confirming it easily). Tearing open a collar or applying various chemicals is not "beKal." (easily) But then we just put a whole band of Shaatnez testers out of business. Well, that is not politically correct. I guess I am not much of a politician. So sue me! AA