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From: rhendel@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 1996 19:25:13 -0400
Subject: 2 Torah Texts for Shaatnez

I initially wasn't going to get involved in an actual Psak (is a
shaatnez couch asur).  But I try to always get involved in problems of
Midrashay Posookim.  In V24 #32, Halevi asks why there are two posookim
on Shaatnez.

This leads to a discussion of a personal Chumra of mine.  One of the
Posookim says you should not WEAR shaatnez while the other says you
should not let shaatnez GO UP on you.  Based on this double language the
Rambam comes out with the fact that it is an issur doreitha to (a) wear
shaatnez and (b) e.g. to try on a suit of Shaatnez (that being haalah).
I understand these two languages may be used in still other ways
(e.g. certain types of carrying but I am not sure).

I have been told (when I asked) that indeed the rambam does hold it is
asur to try on a suit (even if it is Safayk since safayk doreitha--a
biblical doubt is always treated stringently).  I was however told that
other rishonim do not hold this way and feel it is permissable to try on
a unknown suit.  However, no one ever explained to me what the other
rishonim did with these two posookim.  So I have never tried an unknown
suit on. I am curious if anyone can get me out of this dilemma (though I
haven't suffered that much and am quite happy with the Midrash)

Getting back to the question raised by Halevi it would appear that no
one holds that benefiting from shaatnez is even prohibitted rabinically.
I am still in doubt about couches though...it may be prohibited
rabinically ...e.g. it is common to "play" with couch covers (at least I
do) and one can accidentally wrap one around oneself.

I would be interested in what other readers have to say about the actual
laws...but I am very certain that the two verses indicate two levels of
wearing---actual wearing and just "putting up" and at least now I feel
that one can benefit from Shaatnez by e.g. selling it to non jews.

Russell Hendel, rhendel @ mcs . drexel . edu