Returning a Shaatnez Suit bought on line

Hi Rabbi, I just bought a suit online and found that it contains shaatnez. May I return it to the shop? Also, may I try it on one more time to check the size? I want to order a different suit and I think I need a longer fit, so I want to put it on one more time.

Thank you for your question.

The Prohibition Of Shaatnez.

The prohibition of wearing shaatnez is a biblical prohibition, as it is written:

"וּבֶגֶד כִּלְאַיִם שַׁעַטְנֵז לֹא יַעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ" (ויקרא י"ט י"ט)

"לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז, צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתִּים יַחְדָּו" (דברים כ"ב י"א)

"A garment of mixed fibers, shaatnez, shall not be placed upon you" (Leviticus 19:19)

"You shall not wear shaatnez, wool and linen together" (Deuteronomy 22:11)

We see that it is not only prohibited to wear shaatnez, but it is also prohibited to cover yourself with a material that is shaatnez.

This includes towels, even towels used to dry dishes and tablecloths. All these materials, if they contain shaatnez, are prohibited for use.

Although not all types of garments are suspected to contain shaatnez, for example, towels or kippot typically do not have shaatnez. Even tablecloths, does not generally have shaatnez (if made of linen and with sewn designs, may contain shaatnez). Similarly, garments like pajamas or scarves nowadays generally do not contain shaatnez.

However, garments like suits that are made of wool are suspected of containing shaatnez and must be checked.

It's important to note that companies producing garments are not required to list all materials used if the quantity is very small. For example, even if a suit is labeled as 100% wool, it's possible that the buttons were sewn on using linen threads or that linen was used in the seams. Tailors prefer linen threads in these areas because linen is very durable and doesn't stretch out over time. So, the buttons sewn with linen threads will remain tightly attached to the garment. Therefore, even if the label states the suit is 100% wool, there is a chance it contains linen and therfore needs to be checked for shaatnez.

Trying on a suit that almost certainly has shaatnez.

The Shulchan Aruch writes that when one knows that there is shaatnez, it is prohibited to wear it, even for a short while. However if one wants to wear it with the intention oif checking for size there is a dispue amoungst the Poskim if this is also prohibited;

The opinion off the Riaz (Tractate Bei’tsah) writes that wearing it with such intention is permitted.

However, the Chochmat Adam (klal 107) argues and writes that even in such case it is forbidden to wear:

חכמת אדם שער איסור והיתר כלל קו

ונראה לי דלכולי עלמא אסור אם רוצה לקנותו ולובשו לפי שעה לראות אם הוא כמדתו שהרי מכוון ללובשו ולכן הקונים הכובעים שקורין קאפעלושין התפורים בשעטנז וכן בגדים אסור ללבשן לכוון למדתו אפילו ארעי

And I hold that it is forbidden ….and wears it temporarily to see if it fits him because he intends to wear it. Therefore, those who buy hats called 'kapelushin' that are sewn with shaatnez, and likewise garments that has in it shaatnez, are forbidden to wear them to check their size.

Hagaon Harav Fried Shelitah writes, based on the Biur Halacha, Siman 277, when there is a close to certain chance, one should be stringent as if it is certain. Therefore, considering that the halacha follows the Chochmat Adam, that if one knows for certain that there is shaatnez in the garment, it is forbidden to try it on even only for size, then even if one is only almost certain, they should also be stringent and not wear it at all, not even to try it on to see the fit.

Trying on a suit that may have shaatnez.

In a case where one isn't sure that there is shaatnez in the garment, it is permissible to try it on before buying to check if it fits. This is written by the Rema in Siman 301, Seif 6, that since one is not wearing the garment for his own pleasure, it is permitted to just try it on.

Returning a Suit Found to Contain Shaatnez.

If one finds shaatnez in a garment and wants to return it to the company, then if it is a non-Jewish company, it is permitted to send it back, since they do not specifically sell their clothing to Jews.
However, if it is a Jewish company, then it would depend on whether the company is run by religious Torah-observing Jews. In such a case, one may return it to them and explain that there is shaatnez in the garment.
If, however, the company is run by non-religious Jews, then it is be forbidden to return it to them since they will probably sell it on to other Jews and cause them to transgress the prohibition of shaatnez.

Wishing you well.

Leviticus 19 19

Deuteronomy 22 11

Shulchan Aruch, Siman 277

Ri’az, Tractate Beitsah

Chochmat Adam, Klal 107

Rema, Siman 301, Seif 6

Bi’ur Halacha, Siman 277

Pesakim Ve’horaot page 392