Ask The Rabbi
February 11, 1995 
Issue #55
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This edition contains:
1.  Flax in Sheep's Clothing -- Shatnez
2.  This Week's Riddle
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Charna S. Klein @seattleu.edu wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Why is it not permitted to mix wool and linen in garments?

****************************

Dear Charna S. Klein,

The Torah states that it is forbidden to wear a garment which contains wool 
and linen.  Many commentaries cite this commandment as an example of a 
"chok" -- a statute -- a mitzvah that has no readily evident reason.  Our 
observance of this type of mitzvah shows our belief in G-d and His Torah 
even though we do not understand everything.  We realize that not 
everything is in our grasp, and nonetheless we adhere to all of the Torah.  
However, if one researches this subject, one comes across various reasons 
suggested for this prohibition.  

Maimonides explains that it was customary for priests of religions which 
practiced Avodah Zara (idol worship) to wear special garments made out of 
wool & linen.  He adds that even in his time the priests in Egypt wore this 
type of clothing.

The Rosh says that the Parochet -- a separating curtain used in the Temple 
-- was made from wool and linen, and the Torah did not want us to wear 
anything similar to the holy Parochet.   This is similar to the prohibition 
against making an exact replication of the Ketoret (incense) not for the 
purpose of the Temple service.

He cites another interesting reason:  Cain killed Abel as an outcome of 
these two species.  Cain offered flax-linen and Abel brought an offering 
from his "woolly" sheep.  We are therefore instructed not to join those two 
types of material as a constant reminder of this incident -- and will 
thereby take care not to cause separation and hate between people.

The Zohar (Kabbalistic work) teaches that the Biblical word for this 
combination, "Shatnez," can be separated into two words "Satan Az," meaning 
"the Satan is strong."  The Zohar also states that when someone wears 
Shatnez an "evil spirit" lurks within him, just as in the time of Cain & 
Abel where the fusion of these two products brought tragedy and calamity.

Rabbi S. R. Hirsch explains that a person expresses his true personality 
via his clothing.  So to speak "You are what you wear."  Since the world 
was created in such a way that there are distinct species of plants, 
animals, materials, etc., and the Creator wants people to maintain this 
special orderliness, the Torah prohibited wearing a mixture of the most 
common fabrics.

There is a story about the "Steipler Rav," a renowned  Torah scholar and 
Tzaddik, who had the custom of learning for long hours at one stretch 
before sleeping.  The Chazon Ish was searching for a husband for his 
sister, and heard the most wonderful things about the young Steipler Rav.  
A Shidduch was set up.  The Steipler planned to learn for a long stretch 
and then catch up on his sleep during the train ride from his city to the 
city of the Chazon Ish.  On the first "date" the young couple were 
introduced, and the Steipler proceeded to fall asleep straight away.  The 
young woman went to her brother, the Chazon Ish, and said, "What kind of a 
Shidduch did you arrange!"  The Chazon Ish checked into the matter and 
discovered that the Steipler had not slept for some 36 hours straight!  
When the Steipler had boarded the train, he had a slight doubt that maybe 
the fabric of the seat cushion was Shatnez, and refused to sit down.  So of 
course, he stood, remained awake, and continued to learn.  When the sister 
of the Chazon Ish heard this explanation, she agreed to go out with the 
young man again and they eventually married...

Sources:
o  Deut. 22:11.
o  Rabbi Aharon HaLevi - Sefer HaChinnuch 551. 
o  Maimonides - Moreh HaNevuchim ch. 36. 
o  Zohar - Vayikra.
o  Rabbi S. R. Hirsch - Deut. 22:11.

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This Week's Riddle!

Eric Horowitz @sed.csc.com sent in the following riddle:

The Torah  in Parshat Terumah speaks of the components and vessels of the 
Mishkan/Tabernacle.  Three of the items are spelled with the same letters, 
just in different orders.  What are these items?

Answer next week...
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