Melabain
From Halachipedia
- After having washed one’s hands on Shabbat, it’s permissible to dry them on a towel, however, it’s preferable to rub one’s hands together to dry them before drying them on a towel. [1]
- If one’s hands became soiled with mud one may not clean them off by wiping them on a towel or handkerchief however one may wipe them on a rag which one isn’t concerned about cleaning. [2]
- One may dry dishes on a towel even if it gets wet but one may not dry out a thin cup or thermos. [3]
- If a drink spills on a tablecloth it is permissible to place paper napkins over the wet area to dry up some liquid. However, one may not press it against the wet area to draw out the liquid. [4]
- One may wet a paper towel or disposable napkin in order to wipe down a sticky counter-top or plastic tablecloth. However, one may not squeeze or press the wet paper towel or napkin. [5]
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- ↑ S”A 302:10 writes that after having washed one’s hands, it’s preferable to rub one’s hands together before drying them on a towel. The Rama 302:10 writes that the minhag is to be lenient not to be concerned for this issue. The Mishna Brurah 302:50 explains that this is based on the Rabbeinu Tam quoted by Tosafot Shabbat 111b who says that it is permissible because even though one is getting the towel wet since it is effectively dirtying the towel there is no issue of Mechabes (cleaning). Nonetheless, because there are some authorities who are strict it’s a good practice to be strict. The Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat vol 2 pg 89) agrees that it’s permissible but preferable to follow Shulchan Aruch.
- ↑ S”A 302:11 writes that if one's hands became soiled with mud one may wipe them on a hard cloth used to hold thorns but not a regular hand towel because one may come to clean the towel. Mishna Brurah 302:57 writes that a rag which one is not concerned about is just like a hard cloth and one may wipe one's hand on it. This is also the opinion of Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 14:26 (in new editions, 14:29) seems to add that a paper towel is like a rag that one isn't concerned about.
- ↑ S”A 302:12, Mishna Brurah 302:59, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 12:19, 21
- ↑ 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3, pg 700) writes if a drink spills on a tablecloth it is permissible to place paper napkins over the wet area to dry up some liquid. However, one may not press it against the wet area to draw out the liquid. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 12:38 (in new editions 12:41) and Shabbos Home (pg 183) agree.
- ↑ Rav Moshe Feinstein in Iggerot Moshe 2:70 rules that one may wet a paper towel in order to clean the table because one is not concerned to squeeze out the liquid and also the paper towel gets ruined by the water. 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3, pg 694-5) agrees but adds that it's preferable to sprinkle water on the sticky surface and then wipe it with a dry napkin. See Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 12:40 (in new editions 12:43) who says that one should wipe down the dry table with a dry cloth and does not suggest using a wet paper towel.
- ↑ Rambam Mishneh Torah Hilchot Shabbat 9:10
