Devarim 21:10 - 25:19
Haftarah: Yeshayahu 54:1-10
Parsha Summary
Law of the Captive WomanLaw of a Man with Two Wives
Law of the Rebellous Son
A Body Should Not Hang Overnight
Return of Lost Object
Raising a Fallen Animal
Not Wearing Clothes of the Opposite Sex
The Mother Bird and Her Young
Protecting a Roof & Uniform Vineyard Planting
Forbidden Mixtures
Tzitzit
False Charges of Infidelity
Immoral Wife
Adultery
Violated Betrothed
Assaulted Betrothed in a Field
Assaulted Maiden in a Field
Father's Wife
Castrated Man
Not Marrying a Mamzer
Not Marrying an Ammoni or Moavi
Law of Edomi and Egyptians
Rules of Hygiene in an Army Camp
Slave Seeking Refuge
Sin of Prostitution
Not Charging Interest
Pledges Made to G-d
Eating While Working Your Neighbor's Vineyard
Kidnapping
Leprosy
Laws of Security
Paying a Wageman Promptly
Visiting Sins of Parents on Children
Protecting the Downtrodden
The Forgotton Sheaf
Leaving the Last Fruit Unpicked
Laws of Lashes
Yibbum and Chalitzah
Law of the Rodef
Honest Weights
Obliterating the Memory of Amalek
Devarim 22:11 Do not wear forbidden mixture of wool and linen [in a single garment].
VaYikra 19:19 mentions the prohibition against mixing certain fabrics in one garment. Our verse defines the scope of that prohibition as applying to a mixture of linen and wool.
The "forbidden mixture," שעטנז (sha'atnez) is an abbreviated form of שוע טווי נוז which means "combed, spun, or woven." If wool and linen are combined in any of these ways, the garment is forbidden. (Niddah 61b, Sifri, Rashi).
The entire garment need not be made of this combination of fabrics. The prohibition applies even if the two materials are sewn together by only two threads (Yevamot 5b).
Linen is frequently used in lining garments. This is also forbidden. Unfortunately, some people wear such garments without giving it any thought and thus, inadvertently violate the prohibition. For these reasons, any garment made by a Gentile should be inspected for a combination of these fabrics.
Nevertheless, there is no prohibition if the fabrics are not sewn together. One may wear a wool garment over a linen one (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Kilayim 10:11. See also Rabbenu Bachya). Similarly, sha'atnez may be used in the fabric cloth which is not worn, such as a tent. Sha'atnez is also a חוק (chok), a decree which transcends human intellect. Nevertheless, the Rabbis have offered some explanations for this prohibition:
Hevel brought G-d an offering of sheep, and Kayin brought one of flax (Bereishit 4:3-4). Noticing the difference in the quality of their offerings, G-d declared: "It is not fitting for the sacrifice of the sinner to join the offering of the meritorious." Therefore, sha'atnez became forbidden (Midrash Tanchuma, Bereishit 9).
A mixture of wool and linen was used in the curtains of the Sanctuary and the priestly garments. Therefore, such a combination was forbidden for mundane use (Baalei Hatosafot). In addition, pagan priests wore these garments (Guide of the Perplexed. III:37).
Zohar interprets שעטנז (sha'atnez) as שטן עז, meaning "satan is strong." Violation of this commandment strengthens the forces of evil.
- Me'am Lo'ez
