Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 20:53:18 -0500 (EST)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Wool and Linen

QUESTION:
<  <  Off the top of my head this would seem to be a specific example of the
general prohibition against replicating items that were meant for use in
the Temple.>  >

ANSWER:
Several other postings made similar comments. The actual story is a
combination of Biblical and Rabbinic laws as well as halachic midrash.

Actually (a) There is a prohibition of wearing garments made of WOOL and
LINEN (eg Dt 22:11). (b) However the consecutive Biblical verses Dt 22:11
Dt 22:12 state that we shouldn't wear Shaatnez but we should wear Tzitzith.
Rashi on the spot explains that the JUXTAPOSITION of the two sentences
teaches us that TZITZITH *may* be made of LINEN Tzitzith in WOOLEN garments
(c) This allowance (to wear Shaatnez in Tzitzith) also applies to the
Priestly garments; (d) Rabbinically however we do not allow Shaatnez in
Tzitzith (since there is no Tzitzith obligation at night and therefore if
you continued wearing the Tzitzith at night you would be violating the
Shaatnez prohibition); (e) The allowance to wear Shaatnez in the temple
garments was however maintained (Because Biblically that is how they are
made).

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
Moderator Rashi is SImple, http://www.shamash.org/rashi/