Various news sources are confirming the discovery of shatnez in talleisim in two prominent chassidic communities in the New York region, Skvere and Belz.
There are conflicting reports as to the percentage of talleisim found to contain shatnez, with some stating the incidents are higher among Belz while others say the opposite is true. They are not competing chas v’sholom, but the figures are just an effort to provide a measure of clarity as the shatnez story unfolds, with many chassidim still waiting to test their talleisim, seeking to rule out any doubt as to the spiritual integrity of the beged.
What is for certain is there is much pain and soul-searching taking place as frum yidden who are meticulous in their observance of mitzvos once again find themselves in the heart of another storm, one which they ‘stumbled across’, one being compared by some to the infamous Monsey meat scandal, which also involved many many prominent members of the frum community as well as their rabbonim.
The two chassidic courts traditionally purchase their talleisim from Turkish wool, found to be at the source of the problem. In addition, while many talleisim were non- shatnez Baruch Hashem, the hidur was also not present, with Belzer chassidim explaining they go to great lengths and expense to buy the specially made Turkish talleisim which were supposed to be made of 100% wool, but testing shows otherwise, testifying to the fact the talleisim include polyester and other non-wool fibers.
Chassidim in Eretz Yisrael are breathing a sigh of relief, learning their religious garments come from a different source, one that is not engulfed in the shatnez storm that has infected communities in N. America.
Some veteran shatnez testers are stating that one may wish to inspect one’s tallis as a midos chassidus, stating emphatically this is not necessary, but perhaps a move that will provide a modicum of enhancement to one’s observance of mitzvos.
As YWN prepares this article for posting, information has reached our newsroom in Yerushalayim that on Monday night at 6:00pm, the Belz Machzikei Hadas Beis Din in Yerushalayim will convene in an urgent session to discuss the shatnez found in talleisim.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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7 Responses
I don’t understand Shatnes is tzemer and pishtim man made fibers cannot become shatnes even cotton is not flax so if is not 100% wool it is mehudar but “shatnes??? how”
from what i read, you dont seem to understand. it seems that there are TWO issues here. one – in some taleisim there is shatnez (wool + linen) and two – even in those that are shatnez, there is some polyester which might or might not be mechuyav in tzitzis but is for sure not mehudar
I though that tzitzis are ALLOWED to be made of shaatnez, which we learn from the smichus of the psukim “Lo silbash shaatnes” followed immediately by “G’dilim ta’aseh lach”?!?!?
So if there is no linen present but the wool isn’t from Turkey, I have to buy a new tallis? What happens if the wool is from eretz yisrael or new zeland?
To #3
The heter is only
1) When there is תכלת
2) When the beged is pishtim and the chitim are linen not when the beged itself is shatnez
To #4
The problem is with “turkish” taleism from Tunisia
taleisim from Yiddish factories with a good hashgacha are the way to go
Where’s the accountability? Whose Hashgacha were these taleisim under?
I don’t buy the story that one talis from each shipment was checked.
Sounds like a chicken story to me.