Commentary for Avodah Zarah 40:5
אמר רב חסדא הני מילי בעתיקי אבל בחדתי לית לן בה דאי לא תימא הכי אנן מנא לאשפורי היכי יהבינן הא קא מסתכל
Hisda said: This refers only to worn clothing, but in the case of new clothing it does not matter; for were you not to say so, how could women’s dresses be handed to a launderer; he must needs look at them!
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
The launderer referred to here washes clothing before the first time they are used. Obviously, he must look at the clothing first. This proves that the prohibition relates only to worn clothing. Furthermore, only worn clothing will probably be associated with a particular woman.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy