Halacha page 1: Shatnez Testers of America (STAM)

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SHATNEZ HALACHA SERIES

PART I

TRYING ON A SHATNEZ GARMENT

BY RABBI AVROHOM MILLER

May one try on a shatnez garment for size? May one try on a garment whose shatnez status is unknown?

There are two factors which determine whether one may try on a shatnez garment: 1) the shatnez status of the garment; 2) whether the one who wishes to try on the garment follows the halachic opinion of the Beis Yosef or that of the Rama.

If a garment is known to contain shatnez, it is prohibited for those who follow the opinion of the Beis Yosef, such as those of Sephardic descent, to try on the garment in order to buy it'. If, however, one wishes to model the garment for another person, some authorities would permit it. Some would even permit the buyer to try on a shatnez garment, provided that he will not buy the garment he is trying on. Rather, he should try on another garment that is identical in size and style to the one he will buy.

For those who follow the opinion of the Rama, it would be permitted to try on a shatnez garment in the dressing room of the store or in the privacy of one's home. It would also be permitted to try on a jacket or a coat in the store itself, since he does not benefit from wearing such a garment in such circumstances. Trying on trousers, or any other garment one would be embarrassed to be seen without, would be prohibited in the store outside the privacy of the dressing room.

Some are of the opinion that even those of Ashkenazic descent should not try on a shatnez garment'. It would then be permitted only in the manner described above according to the Beis Yosef. The custom, however, is to be lenient like the Rama'.

The preceding discussion refers to a garment that definitely contains shatnez. In a case where the shatnez status of the garment is unknown, it is permitted to try it on, even according to the Beis Yosef even when it is known that these garments sometimes contain shatnez, it is still permitted to try them on, unless one knows that the particular garment he is trying on is shatnez.

It is also permitted by all authorities to try on ail unfinished garment, such as a woolen garment temporarily sewn with linen basting, in order to enable the tailor to finish his work'. The same would apply to a finished shatnez garment that one has purchased and is trying on for the tailor to determine what tailoring is required. In both these instances, however, it is forbidden to try on a garment that one would be embarrassed to be seen without, except in a private place, as explained above".

When a tailor or a shatnez tester is working on a garment, it is common for the garment to drape across their lap as they work. This is permitted, since there is no intent to benefit from the warmth of the garment.