Memachaik: Difference between revisions
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The Mishnah in Masechet [[Shabbat]] (73a) lists memachaik as one of the 39 Avot Melachot. | Memachaik is the melacha, prohibited creative activity, of smoothing a rough surface such as sanding a piece of wood. The Mishnah in Masechet [[Shabbat]] (73a) lists memachaik as one of the 39 Avot Melachot. | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
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#One of the toladot of this melacha is mimareach-smoothing not by eliminating surface, but by spreading something over the surface. <ref>Rashi [[Shabbat]] 146a, Rambam Hilchot [[Shabbat]] 11:6 </ref> | #One of the toladot of this melacha is mimareach-smoothing not by eliminating surface, but by spreading something over the surface. <ref>Rashi [[Shabbat]] 146a, Rambam Hilchot [[Shabbat]] 11:6 </ref> | ||
#Mimareach doesn't apply in a case that the substance being spread is absorbed. <ref>Magen Avraham 316:24 writes that memareach only applies when you intend to spread one item on top of another. Accordingly, it doesn’t apply if the substance is absorbed. Mishna Brura 316:49 and Aruch Hashulchan 316:32 rule likewise. </ref> According to some poskim it doesn't apply if it will be washed away immediately<ref>Chacham Ovadia Yosef (Sh”t Yabea Omer 4:30 about toothpaste and Yechave Daat 2:50 about soap) and Rav Soloveitchik (Nefesh Harav pg. 168) extend this to a case where the substance will be washed away immediately. </ref> | #Mimareach doesn't apply in a case that the substance being spread is absorbed. <ref>Magen Avraham 316:24 writes that memareach only applies when you intend to spread one item on top of another. Accordingly, it doesn’t apply if the substance is absorbed. Mishna Brura 316:49 and Aruch Hashulchan 316:32 rule likewise. </ref> According to some poskim it doesn't apply if it will be washed away immediately<ref>Chacham Ovadia Yosef (Sh”t Yabea Omer 4:30 about toothpaste and Yechave Daat 2:50 about soap) and Rav Soloveitchik (Nefesh Harav pg. 168) extend this to a case where the substance will be washed away immediately. </ref> | ||
==Semisolids== | |||
#There are three kinds of substances: pliable solids, semi-solids, and viscous fluids. | |||
## Smearing a pliable solid such as Chapstick, lipstick, deodorant sticks, bar soap, and Play-Doh would be mimara’ech deoritta. | |||
## Smearing a semi-solid such as facial creams, hand creams (Nivea, Eucerin), rough creams, Vaseline, and Desitin is only mimare’ach mderabbanan. | |||
## Lastly, it is permissible to smear a viscous fluid, such as screen spray or baby oil.<ref>Mishna Brurah 314:45, 39 Melachos v. 3 p. 918-20, [https://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/kashrus-kurrents-2019/6238/medicine-on-shabbos-questions-and-answers-from-rav-moshe-heinemann-shlita/ Rav Moshe Heinemann]. Igrot Moshe 1:114 writes that lipstick and chapstick are forbidden as memachaik. Dor Hamelaktim v. 5 p. 2970 quotes Beer Moshe 1:36:4 and Shabbos Home (ch. 27 fnt 10) that vaseline is only derabbanan like the 39 Melachos. However, they also say that the Beer Moshe and Shabbos Home p. 376 argue that Desitin is biblical memariach.</ref> | |||
===Diaper Rashes=== | |||
#If a baby has a rash one can gently dab or press cream or ointment (which are semisolids that are only rabbinically forbidden) on the baby’s skin, but it should not be rubbed or smeared. Even if the baby’s natural movement will smear the cream that is permitted. If the cream is coming from a jar it is recommended to use a Q-tip to remove the cream since that is an abnormal way to take cream.<ref>39 Melachos v. 3 p. 922, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 33:14</ref> | |||
==Completely Absorbed== | |||
#Mimare’ach only applies when you intend to spread something onto a surface but does not apply in a case that the substance being spread is completely absorbed.<Ref>Mishna Brurah 316:49</ref> | |||
==Practical Issues== | ==Practical Issues== | ||
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#One should not use a knife to scrape the mud off of leather shoes since you will inevitably smooth the leather.<ref>Gemara [[Shabbat]] 141b, Shulchan Aruch 302:8, 39 Melachot pg. 914-915 </ref> | #One should not use a knife to scrape the mud off of leather shoes since you will inevitably smooth the leather.<ref>Gemara [[Shabbat]] 141b, Shulchan Aruch 302:8, 39 Melachot pg. 914-915 </ref> | ||
===Deodorant=== | |||
#Using stick deodorant is memachek. However, using roll-on or spray is permissible since they have a thin consistency.<Ref>39 Melachos v. 3 p. 918</ref> | |||
===Soap on Shabbat=== | |||
{{Soap on Shabbat}} | |||
===Brushing Teeth=== | ===Brushing Teeth=== | ||
