[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times]
Of late, one of the more popular hat styles is to wear a wool hat with a pompom on it (for women, not men). The problem is that in a highly disproportionate amount of times, the thread connecting the pompom to the woolen hat is often linen. This is a Torah violation of Shatnez.
The issue is only a problem if the hat is wool. If it is made of acrylic it is not an issue.
How can one tell if it is wool?
It will usually indicate so on the label. Otherwise it might say “Dry Clean Only.” A third way to tell is the price.
The Torah (Dvarim 22:11) teaches about the prohibition of wearing a wool and linen mixture in the same article of clothing. This is the meaning of the pasuk, “You shall not wear combined fibers, wool and linen together.”
The term “Shatnez” is actually an acronym for the different aspects involved in processing cloths.
REASON
It is a Chok – which means a law in the Torah that we observe. This is the ratzon Hashem, and we do it. The Midrash Rabbah on Bereishis explains, however, that Kayin brought Hashem an offering of flax, while Hevel brought an offering of sheep. Kayin killed Hevel and we therefore observe Shatnez as a reminder of this horrible event – never to mix the two korbanos.
INTERESTING ASPECTS
Shatnez is forbidden miDeoraisah – by the Torah when it is worn as a normal garment.
Shatnez not worn but stepped upon is assur miderabanan (eg carpets, car upholstery). It is forbidden when there is the concern that the shatnez may come off and cling to the person’s body. The hats, if they contain the Shatnez, would be an issur d’oraisah.
Although one should check with his own Rav or Posaik, the prevalence of Shatnez in this case may be such that one should refrain from wearing the pompom wool hats until they are checked. Some may have linen threads attaching the pompom to the hat, others may not.
It should also be noted that Shaatnez has been found in the furry Russian hats worn by men.
The author may be reached at [email protected]
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9 Responses
Shatnez D’Araisa is only when the wool and linen are shua, taviy v’nuz (they are interwoven). Therefore in most cases when there is shatnez found it is only shatnez d’rabbanan and not shatnez d’araisa. It is still assur to wear but there are certain nafka minahs.
I wonder about wool scarves that have a designer label sown on if the thread used is linen? That too would be d’oraisah!
Does anyone know?
@PloniAlmoni
That would be shatnez. Don’t know if it would be d’araisa or d’rabbanan. It depends like the case above, if something is sewn on with the “other” thread (wool or linen) if that is considered shua, taviy v’nuz to make it d’araisa or not.
*sewn
Mitzvah Man – I know it would be assur. My wonder is do you need to suspect and check scarves.
Rabbi Hoffman, Tizke lemitzvos, I’ll be passing this news on. As for the point of sewn-on designer labels, well, the tircha and cost of going to get the shaatnez checked, and on a doubt, and for a label? No-brainer. I don’t need to announce to the world that my scarf was designed by somebody. I can carefully pluck those questionable threads and remove the label. That’s my suggestion.
Mrs. D If there is a chashash of shatnez it needs to be professional removed so as not miss minute threads.
I’m looking at a pashmina scarf right now. The threads on the label are very blatant. Thick and a contrasting color . To know if it’s linen requires training and equipment, but to remove such threads doesn’t seem to be rocket science. But I will consult with an experienced shaatnez checker, see what they say.
בגדי שעטנז are מעכב קבלת תפילה!