By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com
Every so often it happens. One is a guest at another’s home. Sometimes it is an aufruf. Other times it is for a sheva brachos. The husband notices that the duvet cover is put on upside down.
He now has a halachic question: The Gemorah in Horios explains that there are certain behaviors that bring on forgetfulness (kasheh l’shikcha). And although it is not found in the Gemorah nor in rishonim, many are careful not to wear clothing that is insided out. What about sleeping in a duvet-cover? Is that kasheh l’shikcha?
ANSWER: Firstly, there is significance to the point that the earliest source to mention that insided out clothing may be kasheh l’shikcha is the Aishel Avrohom (Botchatch siman 2). And even though this has become the minhag, in regard to dealing with this question regarding non-clothing items – one can certainly be lenient. There is another issue as well, as it could possibly lead to embarrassment if it is brought up.
Rav Gamliel Rabbinowitz in his Gam Ani Odecha (Siman 57) deals with the question regarding Covid masks and writes that since the issue is only cited regarded clothing, and masks are not considered clothing – it is not a problem.
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7 Responses
And the problem with turning it right-side up is???
“Inside-out” is not a verb.
I am compelled to comment so readers can be informed on this issue:
The Talmud (Shabbat 114a) defines a Talmid Chacham as someone who is careful to wear his clothing right-side-in.
The Shulchan Aruch rules this way in Choshen Mishpat 162:21 and explains the reason to be that a Talmid Chacham must be careful to look respectful and inside-out clothing shows its stiching and looks disgraceful.
The Shulchan Aruch also recommends in Orach Chaim 2:3 that everyone be careful about this, lest people begin to think negatively about each other.
The Taz (OC 2 sk 2) and Shulchan Aruch HaRav (OC 2:2) rule that if he already put it on inside-out he does not need to fix it, unless he is a Talmid Chacham where he is in danger of causing people to dislike the Torah.
Therefore, in THIS situation of a duvet it may be considered no less than clothing ALREADY PUT ON inside out, where he does not need to fix it.
Regarding forgetting his learning, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 2:3 – One should be careful to put on his shirt the right way, and not wear it backwards. The Magen Avraham (S”K 3) explains that (based on Rashi Shabbat 114A) if the disgusting stitches are facing outwards people will see them and he will become disgusting in the eyes of others.
The Magen Avraham then quotes Shaar HaKavanot of the Arizal that one should not put on two items of clothes at the same time, as it can make one forget.
One could extrapolate from the Magen Avraham who connects wearing two item of clothing at the same time with wearing clothes inside out, that both cause one to forget.
I note further: A common clothing worn on either side is a scarf. No one I know is makpid on wearing it only pne way and not the other. Apparently from the M.A (and Rashi) it is clear that a “reversable” clothing item would be fine to wear either way, because the kepaida is showing the stitches. ויגדיל תורה בפלפולי אורייתא.
And I ask again: Why does this even need to be discussed as a halacha question? What is preventing the husband (why is it davka the husband?) from turning the duvet cover right-side-out? Is he a klutz who has no idea how to make a bed?
Alex C – the husband is chayav in limud Torah, the duvet may cause hi to firget his limud.
The issue is if he should stop learning in order to fix the duvet as it will preserve his Torah; or should he ignore the risky duvet and continue learning?
The wife is not personally concerned about the duvet dince she doesn’t learn Torah and has no risk of forgetting her Torah.
Rebbitzen G – I’m assuming you’re saying this tongue-in-cheek, right?
He doesn’t need to stop learning – he can continue learning by heart as he’s fixing the cover.
If his wife is invested in her husband’s learning (she must be if he’s so busy learning that he can’t stop for even 15 seconds), then it should concern her just as much as it does him – A: Ishto Kegufo and B: it’s HER Olam Haba as well…
What’s he doing learning on the duvet in the first place? That’s no proper way to learn, sprawled out on the bed!