Prayers of someone who wore shaatnez
Question
I found out, to my utter horror, that I wore a garment that contains shaatnez (a mixture of wool and linen). What that means is that for a period of forty days, none of my prayers were accepted. The question is, does everything just get thrown in the garbage, or maybe my prayers, even though not accepted for me, still went on to add merit to the people of Israel?
Answer
Dear …!
It is indeed stated in holy books that wearing shaatnez prevents the prayers from being properly accepted for a period of forty days.
The fact that prayers don’t get accepted is mentioned in Ziyuni (by Rabbeinu Menachem Ziyuni, in Leviticus 19:19); in Rekanatti (ibid.); in Shalmei Zibbur (Algazi, ch. 3); Ziyun le-Nefesh Chaya (8:6); Pele Yoez (Shaatnez). However, some of the sources mention that they prayers aren’t accepted only at the time that the person is actually wearing the shaatnez garment. It’s clear, however, that after repentance, all the accusers that were created as a result of one’s wearing shaatnez turn into defenders, so there is nothing to fear.
Chatam Sofer (vol. I, ch. 16) states that some things have an even greater negative effect on prayer. For example, a quarrel creates a greater accuser than shaatnez. The way to mend the situation is to pursue peace and run away from conflict. This will enable all his prayers to be willingly accepted.
As with every other sin, when a person finds out that he wore shaatnez, especially if this was unintentional, he can repent and accept upon himself to take steps to be more careful with this issue in the future; he can think how to make sure not to repeat this offence even inadvertently. This way, he can fix the damage that he did.
Our blessing and prayer that every Jew who stumbled and committed the sin of wearing shaatnez will merit to repent fully, and to mend and repair all the prayers that he recited.
Source
Ziyuni (by Rabbeinu Menachem Ziyuni, in Leviticus 19:19); in Rekanatti (ibid.); in Shalmei Zibbur (Algazi, ch. 3); Ziyun le-Nefesh Chaya (8:6); Pele Yoez (Shaatnez).