Q. Regarding what it says in the Mishna Berura not to wear the same clothing (shirt) multiple Shabbosim in a row due to Ezra Hasofer takana, may one be lenient if the shirt is still clean, or is it necessary to have one’s Shabbos shirt cleaned and pressed every week for Shabbos?
A. Indeed Mishna Berura (262: 5) rules that one should not wear during Shabbos what he wore during the week including his shirt. Takonas Ezra (Baba Kama 82a) states that we should wash our clothing on Thursday to be used during Shabbos.
Ohr Letzion (2: 16: 2) rules that suits and dresses don’t have to be cleaned every week, since the don’t usually get soiled in one wear.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should change his shirt to honor Shabbos.
See question 2225 in regard to wearing bigdei Shabbos for a date or job interview, or other cases of need.
See also question 1765 addressing one traveling, if he has to take with, both his Shabbos and weekday taalis, or if one is medakdek to use special Shabbos shoes, can he be lenient when traveling, we wrote; From Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 262: 3), Mishna Berura and other Poskim it appears that there are two distinct opinions as to how to comply with the obligation to wear special and dedicated clothing in honor of Shabbos.
Halachikally, it suffices if the suit and hat are used only for Shabbos, while inner garments including shirts, as long as they were washed for Shabbos, that already makes them special and dedicated. Shoes are similar, and they should be shined or cleaned. (Rav Poalim 4: 13, Yisodei Yeshurun p. 26, et. al.).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
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