Practical Cases of Laundering on Shabbos
Q. What are some of the practical Halachic applications of the prohibition of laundering on Shabbos? We would never do actual laundry on Shabbos, but is there anything else I need to be mindful of?
One of the 39 Biblically forbidden Melachos is Melaben[1]. Melaben is either defined as bleaching or scrubbing fabric for the purpose of cleaning it. In the construction of the Mishkan, from which the sages derive the forbidden Melachos of Shabbos, the raw wool and linen used to make the curtains and coverings would be cleaned before they were dyed or used[2]. Laundering clothing (Kibbus) is a Toldah (subset) of Melaben and is Biblically forbidden on Shabbos[3].
There are many common and practical applications of these Halachos, some of which are outlined below;
Soaking
Soaking or pouring even the smallest amount of water onto a stain is forbidden[4], even if one does not rub it[5]. The same applies with any clear liquid, such as soda water. The colour or type of garment or fabric makes no difference[6]. Since it is a natural reaction to want to immediately pour water or soda onto a stain, especially if there is a concern of the stain setting, extra care and awareness of these Halachos is required.
According to many authorities[7], even if the garment is clean and has no stains, one may not soak it. Since this is considered to enhance the brightness of the fabric, it is also a form of laundering. The source of this opinion and its practical application will be discussed in the following article.
Therefore, water spills on the floor or table, should not be wiped up using cloths or good towels.
Paper towels and serviettes may be used. Rags and dishcloths, which are made for this purpose, may also be used[8]. However, care should be taken if they become saturated, so that one does not squeeze out the liquid when handling them. Squeezing a clear liquid from a garment is considered a Biblically forbidden act of laundering, as this is part of the laundering process[9].
Wiping up coloured stains, whilst not posing a problem of laundering, raises a separate issue of dyeing[10]. Squeezing a coloured liquid from a cloth does not entail laundering, however it is still an issue of Sechita – extracting liquid, which is a derivative of the Melacha of threshing[11].
One is allowed to dry their hands or other parts of their body on a towel, because this is considered “Derech Lichluch” - a manner of soiling rather than cleaning[12]. Some Poskim[13] still recommend removing excess water before drying one’s hands - although this is not customary practice[14].
Water fights are forbidden since this will inevitably cause clothing to become wet.
One is allowed to dry cutlery and dishes using dish towels[15]. Once the towel becomes saturated, one should change to a different towel due to the inevitability of Sechitah.
Removing a Stain
Stains and spills on clothing may be wiped off with a dry cloth, if they are moist[16]. One may not rub a stain to remove it, even if no water is used, because this looks like laundering[17]. One may not scratch a dried food or mud stain with their fingernail or rub it with another part of the garment. This is because the crumbling of these types of stains resembles the forbidden act of grinding[18].
Dust
Dust or fine powder, such as icing sugar, chalk dust or baby powder, should not be dusted off from a garment or hat, either by patting, rubbing, shaking or blowing. This is also considered like laundering, if one is bothered by the dust and would not wear the garment in that state[19]. Larger pieces that do not become absorbed into the fabric, such as lint or feathers, may be removed[20].
All of the above applies to all absorbent fabrics including; bed linen, upholstery, rugs and carpets. These Halachos do not apply to non-absorbent surfaces.
Rain and wet Clothing
One may walk in the rain without being concerned about their clothes becoming wet and saturated[21].
However, once the clothing is removed, it may not be shaken out to remove the excess water[22]. One may not even handle wet garments, in case they forget and come to squeeze out the water[23]. Plastic raincoats may be shaken out since the water is not absorbed and laundering will not apply.
Wet clothing may not be hung up on Shabbos to dry. This is because of the concern of Maris Ayin, that an onlooker may assume that they were laundered on Shabbos[24]. The concern of Maris Ayin applies even in a concealed room, where no will be able to see[25].
Therefore, wet clothing may not be hung up on a clothesline on Shabbos, whether it is indoors or outdoors or at the back of one’s property.
Hanging up a wet coat on a door, doorknob, wall hook or over the back of a chair is permissible, since laundry is not usually hung up to dry in this manner and will not present a concern of Maris Ayin.
Laundry that was hung up before Shabbos may be left out over Shabbos[26]. Provided that it was almost dry before Shabbos came in, the laundry may also be removed and used on Shabbos.
________________________
[1] Shabbos 73a
[2] Rashi 73a ד"ה גוזז
[3] Rambam Hilchos Shabbos 9:10. Shulchan Aruch Harav 301:56. See Avnei Nezer 185 why this is only a Toldah.
[4] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:20. In parentheses, the Alter Rebbe adds that the same applies to pouring coloured liquid in order to remove a stain.
[5] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:20
[6] Bach Orach Chaim 302, Elya Zuta 302:16, Magen Avraham 302:16, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:21
[7] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:9, Magen Avraham 302:21, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:21
[8] Based on Shulchan Aruch Harav Kuntres Acharon 302:1
[9] Rambam laws of Shabbos 9:10
[10] See the article in this work on the topic of wiping dirty hands
[11] If one does not require the extracted liquid, it is only Rabbinically forbidden
[12] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:21, 302:23
[13] Maharam Rottenberg. Ram”o 302:10, Shulchan Aruch Harav ibid
[14] Shulchan Aruch Harav ibid
[15] Since they are made to become wet and used in this manner
[16] Mishna Shabbos 142b
[17] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:17
[18] Sefer Mitzvos Katan 281, Shulchan Aruch 302:7 , Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:17
[19] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:3
[20] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:3
[21] Rashi Shabbos 65a ד"ה שוטחן
[22] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:2
[23] Ram”o Orach Chaim 301:46, Shulchan Aruch Harav 301:59
[24] Rambam laws of Shabbos 22:20, Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 301:56
[25] Shabbos 64b
[26] Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 301:46, Shulchan Aruch Harav 30s1:57
One of the 39 Biblically forbidden Melachos is Melaben[1]. Melaben is either defined as bleaching or scrubbing fabric for the purpose of cleaning it. In the construction of the Mishkan, from which the sages derive the forbidden Melachos of Shabbos, the raw wool and linen used to make the curtains and coverings would be cleaned before they were dyed or used[2]. Laundering clothing (Kibbus) is a Toldah (subset) of Melaben and is Biblically forbidden on Shabbos[3].
There are many common and practical applications of these Halachos, some of which are outlined below;
Soaking
Soaking or pouring even the smallest amount of water onto a stain is forbidden[4], even if one does not rub it[5]. The same applies with any clear liquid, such as soda water. The colour or type of garment or fabric makes no difference[6]. Since it is a natural reaction to want to immediately pour water or soda onto a stain, especially if there is a concern of the stain setting, extra care and awareness of these Halachos is required.
According to many authorities[7], even if the garment is clean and has no stains, one may not soak it. Since this is considered to enhance the brightness of the fabric, it is also a form of laundering. The source of this opinion and its practical application will be discussed in the following article.
Therefore, water spills on the floor or table, should not be wiped up using cloths or good towels.
Paper towels and serviettes may be used. Rags and dishcloths, which are made for this purpose, may also be used[8]. However, care should be taken if they become saturated, so that one does not squeeze out the liquid when handling them. Squeezing a clear liquid from a garment is considered a Biblically forbidden act of laundering, as this is part of the laundering process[9].
Wiping up coloured stains, whilst not posing a problem of laundering, raises a separate issue of dyeing[10]. Squeezing a coloured liquid from a cloth does not entail laundering, however it is still an issue of Sechita – extracting liquid, which is a derivative of the Melacha of threshing[11].
One is allowed to dry their hands or other parts of their body on a towel, because this is considered “Derech Lichluch” - a manner of soiling rather than cleaning[12]. Some Poskim[13] still recommend removing excess water before drying one’s hands - although this is not customary practice[14].
Water fights are forbidden since this will inevitably cause clothing to become wet.
One is allowed to dry cutlery and dishes using dish towels[15]. Once the towel becomes saturated, one should change to a different towel due to the inevitability of Sechitah.
Removing a Stain
Stains and spills on clothing may be wiped off with a dry cloth, if they are moist[16]. One may not rub a stain to remove it, even if no water is used, because this looks like laundering[17]. One may not scratch a dried food or mud stain with their fingernail or rub it with another part of the garment. This is because the crumbling of these types of stains resembles the forbidden act of grinding[18].
Dust
Dust or fine powder, such as icing sugar, chalk dust or baby powder, should not be dusted off from a garment or hat, either by patting, rubbing, shaking or blowing. This is also considered like laundering, if one is bothered by the dust and would not wear the garment in that state[19]. Larger pieces that do not become absorbed into the fabric, such as lint or feathers, may be removed[20].
All of the above applies to all absorbent fabrics including; bed linen, upholstery, rugs and carpets. These Halachos do not apply to non-absorbent surfaces.
Rain and wet Clothing
One may walk in the rain without being concerned about their clothes becoming wet and saturated[21].
However, once the clothing is removed, it may not be shaken out to remove the excess water[22]. One may not even handle wet garments, in case they forget and come to squeeze out the water[23]. Plastic raincoats may be shaken out since the water is not absorbed and laundering will not apply.
Wet clothing may not be hung up on Shabbos to dry. This is because of the concern of Maris Ayin, that an onlooker may assume that they were laundered on Shabbos[24]. The concern of Maris Ayin applies even in a concealed room, where no will be able to see[25].
Therefore, wet clothing may not be hung up on a clothesline on Shabbos, whether it is indoors or outdoors or at the back of one’s property.
Hanging up a wet coat on a door, doorknob, wall hook or over the back of a chair is permissible, since laundry is not usually hung up to dry in this manner and will not present a concern of Maris Ayin.
Laundry that was hung up before Shabbos may be left out over Shabbos[26]. Provided that it was almost dry before Shabbos came in, the laundry may also be removed and used on Shabbos.
________________________
[1] Shabbos 73a
[2] Rashi 73a ד"ה גוזז
[3] Rambam Hilchos Shabbos 9:10. Shulchan Aruch Harav 301:56. See Avnei Nezer 185 why this is only a Toldah.
[4] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:20. In parentheses, the Alter Rebbe adds that the same applies to pouring coloured liquid in order to remove a stain.
[5] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:20
[6] Bach Orach Chaim 302, Elya Zuta 302:16, Magen Avraham 302:16, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:21
[7] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:9, Magen Avraham 302:21, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:21
[8] Based on Shulchan Aruch Harav Kuntres Acharon 302:1
[9] Rambam laws of Shabbos 9:10
[10] See the article in this work on the topic of wiping dirty hands
[11] If one does not require the extracted liquid, it is only Rabbinically forbidden
[12] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:21, 302:23
[13] Maharam Rottenberg. Ram”o 302:10, Shulchan Aruch Harav ibid
[14] Shulchan Aruch Harav ibid
[15] Since they are made to become wet and used in this manner
[16] Mishna Shabbos 142b
[17] Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 302:17
[18] Sefer Mitzvos Katan 281, Shulchan Aruch 302:7 , Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:17
[19] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:3
[20] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:3
[21] Rashi Shabbos 65a ד"ה שוטחן
[22] Ram”o Orach Chaim 302:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 302:2
[23] Ram”o Orach Chaim 301:46, Shulchan Aruch Harav 301:59
[24] Rambam laws of Shabbos 22:20, Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 301:56
[25] Shabbos 64b
[26] Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 301:46, Shulchan Aruch Harav 30s1:57