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I sent out an email this morning that was a joke about wrapping a dead
body in a carpet that might be made of shatnez. Someone wrote to me
that shatnez only applies to clothing. This is not true. Please see
<a href="http://home.comcast.net/~shatnez/halacha2.html" eudora="autourl">
http://home.comcast.net/~shatnez/halacha2.html</a> where it says
<br><br>
<font size=3>The Torah's prohibition of shatnez primarily refers to
wearing of shatnez garments. Sitting, lying, or walking on shatnez would
be permitted. There is, however, a Rabbinic decree prohibiting these
activities due to the fact that the shatnez material may rise up and
cover part of the body. This prohibition will largely depend on the
softness of materials used in the construction of the article in
question. Due to the complexity of these details, it is advisable consult
a Rabbinical authority or your local shatnez laboratory whenever a
question arises regarding presence of shatnez in these items. The
following are some guidelines to follow. <br><br>
See this URL for more. <br><br>
See also
<a href="http://home.comcast.net/~shatnez/what_items_need_chking.html" eudora="autourl">
http://home.comcast.net/~shatnez/what_items_need_chking.html</a>
<br><br>
</font><font size=4 color="#006699"><b>What Needs To Be Checked For
Shatnez</font><font size=3> <br><br>
Blankets/Quilts:</b></font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=3>
Standard wool blankets and down or polyester filled quilts do not need
testing. Blankets made of reprocessed wool or "mixed fibers"
should be tested. Hand-made blankets<i> </i>should be tested.<br><br>
</font><b>Carpets/Rugs:</b>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=3>May require testing. Wool
carpets (wall-to-wall) and area rugs may be backed or reinforced with
linen. Non-woolen rugs and carpets are not a problem. Services are
available at most shatnez laboratories for those who wish to have their
carpets tested.<br><br>
See this web page for a complete listing. YL<br><br>
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