Pisqa’ 232¹

1

“Do not wear wool and linen fibers mingled² as one”(Dt.22:11)—

is it possible to say that

[the prohibition includes] shorn wool and linen shreds

[that have yet to be woven together]?

The Teaching states:

“Fibers mingled” (Dt.22:11)—³

this specifies any garment which is

combed (shu`a), spun (tavui), and woven (nuz).⁴

R. Shimon b. Elazar says:

[“Mingled”-wearers] are twisted,⁵

forcing their Heavenly Father

to deal with them in a twisted way.⁶

2

“Do not wear” (Dt.22:11)—

I might infer only that

you shouldn’t wear [mingled garments].

How do I know that the rule applies as well

to merely covering up with them?

The Teaching states:

“And a garment of mingled incompatible fibers shall not be placed upon you” (Lv.19:19)—

[even placing them on the body is forbidden].

Is it possible to say that

he may not strap a pack

of such garments on his back?

The Teaching states:

“Do not wear” (Dt.22:11)—

[and carrying is distinct from wearing].

Now, wearing should have been included

in the general statement of the rule.

Why, then, is it singled out for emphasis?

In order to make a comparative observation

and inform you that

just as wearing is distinctive,

in that it benefits the body,

only [a mingled fabric] that benefits the body,

[is considered to be worn as a garment].

3

“As one” (Dt.22:11)—

is it possible to say that

one should not wear

a wool shirt over a linen shirt,

or a linen shirt over a wool shirt?

The Teaching states:

“As one” (Dt.22:11)—

[the rule applies only to one garment

woven of two mingled threads].

 

R. Hananiah b. Gamliel says:

How do I know that

one shouldn’t knot a strip of wool fabric

to one of linen fabric

and tie it around his waist,

even though a leather strap interposes?⁷

The Teaching states:

“As one” (Dt.22:11)—

any arrangement

[of the fabrics into a single article stands under the rule].

 

Thus you can argue that

sack-cloth [containing wool]

and a basket [containing linen]

combine [when bound together]

to produce an incompatible mixture

[that may not be carried on the shoulders].⁸

“Wool and linen fibers mingled as one” (Dt.22:11)—

but a garment of either one on its own is permitted

[to be worn with a garment of the other fabric].

 

Articles of felt are prohibited

as incompatible mixtures,

for even though they are

not weaves of woolen thread,

they are combed-wool mattings

[That may contain fibers of linen].⁹

1. H:241-242;JN2:232.
2. Heb: sh`atnez.
3. =Sifra, qedoshim, per.4:18.
4. This is an example of a derivation of the meaning of one word from the initial letters (notarikon) of other words or phrases.
5. Heb: naluz. Note the word play with nuz, “woven.”.
6. //M. Kil.9:8;. Sifra, qedoshim, per.4:18.
7. //T. Kil. 5:22.
8. // M. Kil.9:10.
9. //M. Kil.9:9. This material is missing in several source. See F:265, n. 11.