By the Grace of G-d21st of Menachem Av, 5728Aug. 15,1968Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I read with particular interest your letter regarding the matter of shatnes (linen in woolen garments), in reply to my inquiry.

I know that I do not have to impress upon you the importance of this matter, since it is a conviction which you share with me. The following lines are intended for extra emphasis as well as for conveying same to your suppliers, etc.

The prohibition of shatnes is one of the fundamental tenets in Jewish daily life. Its importance can be seen from the fact that while many precepts have been given in the Torah by implication, etc., the prohibition of shatnes is explicitly spelled out in the Torah twice (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 21:11). It is further elaborated in the Oral Law (Talmud, etc), where both the details of the prohibitions and its importance are discussed at length. (Cf. Shulchan Aruch, Yore De’ah, sec. 301 and 303). Hence the stringency of the prohibition, so much so, that according to Jewish Law, the prohibition of shatnes is not limited to wearing it in a garment, but also in a blanket for covering oneself with, or to lie on, even if there be many (“Even as many as ten”) layers between the person and the shatnes spread.

It is surely unnecessary to point out that the Divine precepts have been given for the benefit of man and not merely for the benefit in after life, but also in this life on earth — a benefit that is not conditioned upon understanding of the profound significance of G-d’s precepts, but primarily on their compliance.

Finally, there is the basic precept of “Place not a stumbling block before a blind man,” meaning that one must be most careful not to cause - however inadvertendy - any transgression on the part of the unwary or trusting-a responsibility reinforced by the commandment, “Love thy fellow as thyself” - the Great Principle of the Torah.

With esteem and with blessing,