Answer by Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin, Moreh Hora’ah at Beis Horaa of Rechovot, Israel:
An offshoot of the melacha of memacheik, smoothening hard surfaces, is memareiach, smoothening pliable substances such as wax or putty. (Thus children should not play with play-dough on Shabbos [1].)
Additionally, smearing thick oils and gels is prohibited midrabanan [2]. Pourable oils are not smoothened and may be smeared (provided that there is no issue of medicating on Shabbos).[3]
Poskim discuss whether the prohibition is only to use a pliable substance to smoothen a rough surface (i.e. filling cracks of a barrel) or even to spreading cream on a smooth surface.[4] Some argue that if the cream is absorbed into the skin it is unquestionably permissible since no substance remains.[5]
Others agree in principle, but argue some trace almost always remains it is prohibited, especially when that trace is desirable (like fragrance from deodorant or hand lotion).[6]
Since the matter is under dispute, one should be stringent. However, in case of great need (such as a diaper rash) and one cannot suffice with an indirect application of the cream, (such as spreading cream on the diaper or to dabbing the cream without smearing it), one may smear cream on the affected area until it is absorbed into the skin.[7]
While some hold that liquid soap is considered “thick” and may not be used unless it thinned by adding water, 8 many poskim consider standard liquid soap to be “pourable” and it may be used as-is.[9]
Although Purell is a gel, yet, since it liquefies on contact and no trace remains afterwards, there is no problem of memareiach (smoothening).[10]
REFERENCES:
1. ארחות שבת פי”ז אות כ”ה (פסטלינה).
2. שבת קמ”ו ע”ב (דעת רב), שוע”ר שי”ד סכ”א. ראה ארחות שבת פי”ז הע’ כ”ח. וכן משנ”ב סי’ שכ”ו סק”ל בשם תפארת ישראל כלכלת שבת מלאכת הלש.
3. שוע”ר שכ”ז ס”ב.
4. קצוה”ש סי’ קל”ח שם וראה שש”כ פי”ד הערה מ”ט.
5. מג”א סי’ שט”ז סקכ”ד ומהרש”ם בדע”ת.
6. ראה שש”כ פל”ג הע’ ס”ג.
7. ובצירוף שהתינוק הוא חולה שאבו”ס.
8. אג”מ או”ח ח”א נסי’ קי”ג (שמסתפק בזה וכותב שבביתו לא משתמשים בזה בשבת).
9. ראה הליכות שבת פכ”ו דין ה’ ושש”כ פי”ד סי”ח . אך מהגרמי”ל לנדא שליט”א שמעתי שיש מחמירים משום עשיית הבועות, ואכמ”ל.
10. הראיתיו להגרמי”ל לנדא שליט”א וכך הורה.
Published in lmaan Yishmeu, a project of Merkaz Anash
i dont believe people are putting on the purell for the smell and that may be why it doesn’t constitute as being a malacha (prolly should ask your local rabbi though)
The machine in this picture is battery operated and may have another problem using it on the Sabbath
Now I can use liquid soap without feeling bad
In the answer above, while the Rabbi concludes that Purell is allowed, (I am not familiar with that brand) what about other hand sanitizers that definitely leave a pleasant trace, due to pleasant smell? For example the bath and body works anti-bacterial hand gels, are these allowed or not?
“Purell is a gel … and no trace remains afterwards”? There is definately a resedue left on the hands no matter how much you rub. And also a lingering fragrance.
Please elaborate. Thanks
This is great. In depth, but clear and super-easy to read. Not just the text, but also the footnotes.
PLEASE have more like these in the future.
With all the germs around sanitizing is so important. Also when visiting in hospitals it is important as a precaution to catching and transmitting germs.
Thanks. Was wondering about the liquid soap recently…
If it’s for health and to prevent infections wouldn’t it be allowed anyway?
People use purely just for that reason and no other.
If the intention is to smear only to kill germs and there’s no intention to smear, what’s the problem?
For instance if someone has incontinence and urine falls on their legs which could be itchy and annoying, they can wash, and then smear the leg with Vaseline to prevent further discomfort.
I assume this is permitted because there’s no intention to smear. The intention is to reduce discomfort.
A Melacha needs intention, no?
Todah
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