 | Shatnez is the combination of lamb or sheep wool and linen (a flax plant
derivative). Other materials, such as goat and camel wool or strands of jute, hemp
and ramie (Chinese linen), cannot create Shatnez. |
| The Torah prohibits wearing Shatnez ("Shatnez on the body"). Shatnez
"beneath the body" (e.g. upholstery and carpets) is forbidden by a rabbinical
prohibition. |
| The prohibition of Shatnez applies to men, women and children. It is forbidden to
derive any physical or financial benefit from Shatnez. |
| Garment labels cannot be relied upon to accurately identify the fiber content. Likewise,
promises of salesmen and tailors that their clothes are Shatnez free are very often
inaccurate. While self proclaimed Shatnez testers may be able to recognize common forms of
linen, modern technology has produced new and blended forms of Shatnez which only a
trained expert can detect. The only proper way to ensure that Shatnez is not being worn is
by having the clothing inspected by an official tester recognized by a major Shatnez
organization such as NCSTAR or Mishmeret Habegged. |
| All suits and winter coats should be checked for Shatnez regardless of the listed
materials. Even 100% synthetic suits have been found with Shatnez. Similarly, all linen
look fabrics (recognized by the thick and thin thread appearance) should be checked. |
| Clothing that lists wool, linen (flax) or even the slightest quantity of unidentified
"other fibers" (O.F.) on the tag should be checked. Since one of the two
forbidden fibers is already present, the odds of finding Shatnez increases greatly.
Consult your local Shatnez lab for details. |
| If Shatnez is found in a garment and the Shatnez is removed, the garment is not
prohibited. In many cases, the Shatnez can be removed because the wool and linen are
not combined in the basic fabric of the garment. Shatnez should not be removed by a
seamstress or a tailor, but by a trained expert. |
| The prohibition of Shatnez applies not only to the mixtures of wool and linen, but also
to garments in which sections of wool and sections of linen are permanently
attached. According to the Ashkenazik poskim, even if a bottom linen
garment cannot be removed without first taking off a top woolen garment, the two garments
are considered attached, and wearing them together is prohibited. The Sephardic poskim
are more lenient in this matter. |
| Most authorities agree that one may try on a new outfit for size as long as it is not
known to contain Shatnez. Some Poskim recommended staying inside the dressing room area
where one would not be embarrassed to walk without clothes. Brands known to contain
Shatnez may not be worn even temporarily and are muktzah on Shabbos. |
