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Why am I not permitted to apply body or hand creams or moisturizers on Shabbat?


By Naftali Silberberg

It is forbidden to smooth out a solid (or semi-solid) object on Shabbat. One of the 39 forbidden acts on Shabbat is "memachek" which means smoothing out a hide by removing all its hair.

This is also why it is forbidden to apply creams on Shabbat.

[Incidentally, this rule does not apply to food. It is, for example, permitted to spread butter on bread on Shabbat.]
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By Naftali Silberberg   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Silberberg resides in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Chaya Mushka and their three children.
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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 27, 2011
Sunscreen
As I live in a sunny climate and in the past had skin cancer, I make sure that I use sunscreen when I go outside for any length of time, including on shabbat. I checked with a Rav who assured me that using sunscreen for health reasons on shabbat (and everyone should protect themselves from harm) was fine.

(Ed's note: please consult with your local Orthodox rabbi to discuss your personal situation)
Posted By Anonymous, Jerusalem, Israel

Posted: July 17, 2009
Re: Cream
While it is very hard to generalize and one should contact their local Orthodox Rabbi to discuss their personal situation, and it depends on what is meant by health condition, but in general, many contemporary Halachik authorities are of the opinion that liquid or cream preparation that is completely absorbed into the body, (i.e. it does not remain on the surface), may be used in the normal way on the Sabbath for this purpose. But again, not all situations and creams are the same.
Posted By Yehuda Shurpin for chabad.org

Posted: July 12, 2009
Creams
Can one apply creams or essential oils that are being used to correct health conditions? Example: If one has eczema or a sprained knee, could one use prescribed cream or essential oils to the wound or injury in order to care for oneself?
Posted By Anonymous, Wilton, Maine

Posted: Feb 3, 2009
to Mike
The forbidden act is the act of smoothing. While the original smoothing act did involve the removal of hair, it is the smoothing—and not the hair removal—which is forbidden. (Removing hair is another violation.) For this reason, any time a person smoothes creams or other such items on Shabbat they are in violation of this prohibition.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org

Posted: Feb 2, 2009
Mike
What about sunscreen? It doesn't remove hair but is certainly creamlike.
Posted By Mike



 


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