As a senior Shatnez tester with years of experience, I feel compelled to respond to recent criticisms regarding the process and cost of Shatnez testing. The concerns raised highlight misunderstandings about the skill, effort, and precision involved in this critical mitzvah.
Let’s first address the claim that a professional Shatnez test can be completed in just five minutes. While this might seem astonishing to the untrained eye, achieving such efficiency requires years of training and experience. A new tester, meticulously checking the 50 to 100 locations in a suit where Shatnez might lurk, can easily take over an hour. Only after years of hands-on practice and accumulated expertise can a tester accurately examine garments in a fraction of that time. The speed of the test is not a shortcut or a sign of carelessness—it’s the hallmark of a professional whose skills have been honed to ensure precision and reliability.
Secondly, let’s consider the cost. At $10–$20 per garment, Shatnez testing is hardly exorbitant, especially when compared to other mitzvah-related expenses. Unlike mezuzahs, which require regular checking to ensure they remain kosher, clothing only needs to be tested once. When weighed against the potential halachic ramifications of wearing Shatnez—an issur repeated with every wear—the cost is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Finally, it’s important to recognize the broader communal benefit of professional testing. By entrusting garments to skilled testers, we collectively avoid the potential of hundreds of issurim within our communities. Each test ensures that our shared commitment to halacha remains uncompromised.
So, before casting doubt on the process, take a moment to consider the dedication and expertise behind it. The Shatnez tester is not simply performing a task; they are safeguarding the mitzvos we hold dear.
Sincerely,
Yosef Stolz
Los Angeles
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
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12 Responses
Shatnez testers get paid as much as people are willing to pay them. The cost of testing is too high for my situation so I choose to buy standard suits at run of the mill Jewish stores. Overwhelmingly going to be ok. If it was cheaper maybe I’d check more. Maybe I’m wrong but can’t imagine I’m any worse then people who lie to tuition committees
“[T]he cost is a small price to pay for peace of mind.”
Is it? If people are told that they ought to pay to check for “peace of mind” when there is no such halachic obligation, the only people who should not have “peace of mind” are the people profiting off of halachic malfeasance and malpractice.
Again, in 90+% of cases, paying for shatnez checking is halachically optional.
No chiyuv.
Ask a competent, nonshatnez industry rav if you don’t believe me. Just don’t ask a shatnez checker. They will usually provide bad halachic advice in my opinion. Excellent technical fabric advice does not equal competent halachic advice. You don’t trust the restaurant owner to be rav hamachshir. Don’t trust a shatnez checker to tell you whether there is a chiyuv to check.
I was actually thinking about becoming a shatnez tester myself. The reason why I have not yet tried it is exactly the point that Rabbi Stolz makes. I am afraid that it will take too long to gain that level of expertise.
You don’t see people making a fuss about what they pay other professionals. Just because it is a “Jewish professional” should not make it a target for complaints. Trust me there are plenty of overpaid professionals but I don’t think shatnez testers are one of them. The original letter writer was just one of those guys who likes to complain about anything.
@yrots
If you’re wrong, you’re still transgressing every single time.
Yrots
Really really dumb comment. If your wearing shatnez your gonna have to answer for it one day. At least these days where testing is available. The idea that people lie to tuition committees whether that’s true or not is so irrelevant it’s not even worth discussing.
All that being said my opinion is that I have no problem with the pricing as it’s still pretty reasonable. My issue with the industry is that they monopolize it. They make it very difficult for new people to get involved. Other than that I’m ok
People get all frum about checking for shatnez on a suit from a standard Jewish store which they sell hundreds of every year and randomly one or two are checked for shatnez by someone who cares and are ok so the chances that my suit which is the same style and make and company sold every year in the store being shaatnez is close to zero. Yet these frum people lie to tuition committees which is stealing. 100%
“Secondly, let’s consider the cost. At $10–$20 per garment, Shatnez testing is hardly exorbitant, especially when compared to other mitzvah-related expenses.”
This comparison is irrelevant. The point in the original letter was that the hourly rate is very high.
Can someone compile an online database of suits, similar to food hashgaha? Every person who tests a suit supplies the data. I am sure, this will not be as reliable as checking every suit, as errors might happen and technology changes over time, but it will give people a good picture where problems might be.
A checker who has community benefit in mind could post their own lists here.
Why the heck do people complain about an honest Jew making an honest parnasa. Never understand it. These are the types of people who leave 5% tip cos why should they tip they pay for the food. Self absorbed.
Find something important to complain about. Or take up needlepoint as a hobby.
Mr Stolz thank you for your service.
I couldn’t help but notice that through his whole speech he didn’t explain why its so high of a price. yes, i understand that as mitzvo’s go this is not that expensive, and I understand that yes, only experts can go so fast, but why is it 20$? (for a quick expert one I mean)
I hope that the original letter writer is not spending 3,4,7,8 dolllars for Chanukah donuts and 4-8 dollars for a brewed cup of coffee….. or even 4 dollars for a slice of Pizza. If you analyze the costs of any of these, it’s difficult to understand the pricing. BUT if he does spend the money on those items, then he can easily understand why the Shaatnez tester gets 10 dollars………. its not even enough for a coffee and donut!
Shatnez checking, like any other good or service, has no intrinsic price or value. The price is set by the market based on what people are willing to pay for it and the competition. Another words, supply and demand.
No one is forcing anyone pay for anything.
If you don’t like paying for checking, buy a polyester suit, or ask a rav what stores and brands don’t require checking.