4 Av 5770
July 15, 2010
A] R’ Aaron Drebin (Flatbush Shatnez Laboratory) found an A-K-R-I-S lady’s suit that had a matching wristlet. The actual suit was entirely shatnez-free, however the wristlet was made from wool and linen.
B] R’ Avrohom Apt (Paulo Alto, California) found a cotton wristlet that had wool and linen attached to it.
Follow link for complete report with relevant photos.
2 Comments
A wristlet is not really a garment that is worn. Is it assur to have shatznez in it?
Rabbi Eliyahu Neiman responds:
The Issur of Shatnez applies even when the item is not a garment.
Therefore, to warm one’s hands on a curtain, a tablecloth, or towel containing Shatnez or to sink ones fingers into the carpet that is Shatnez are all Issurim Min HaTorah. Similarly, to carry a hot bowl with potholder or with a cloth which are Shatnez is forbidden, although the latter is being held not worn. Since they protect the person from excessive heat this falls under the classification of “cover and protection” and is forbidden.
The Poskim write that both a Tallis and Tefillin bag should not contain Shatnez even though a person may not purposely warm his hands on a Tefillin bag being a Tashmish d’Kedusha – an item that directly serves a Holy article.
The reason being that such bags are carried in a person’s hand for quite some time. There is therefore a natural danger that the person will inadvertently have pleasure and benefit from the warmth the bags impart to his hands, which would otherwise be cold.
excuse my ignorance, I thought shatnez was a prohibition when the two fabrics were totally interwoven within one another, as in a fabric “blend”. I didn’t realise that they weren’t allowed to be attached to the same garment, sewn on as two completely separate pieces of fabric (as seen on the palo alto wristlet)?
please can someone shed some light on this?
Rabbi Eliyahu Neiman responds:
Please see what I wrote in The Basic Halachos of Shatnez at http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/2010/06/the-basic-halachos-of-shatnez-%E2%80%93-part-1-of-3/