Regarding dry, chapped skin that requires regular application of moisturizing cream, is someone allowed apply this cream on Shabbos? Does the composition or texture of the cream change the answer?
1 Answer
Medicated cream prescribed by a doctor, etc. is problematic. Regular soft moisturizer cream that can be properly absorbed can be applied.. See http://doseofhalacha.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/cream-on-shabbos.html
The Gemara (Shabbos 146) writes that it is forbidden miderabanan to spread oil, as it is similar to the act of memarayach, which is forbidden mideoraisa (See Rambam, Shabbos 23:11). R’ Ribiat (39 Melochos p919) writes that this applies to hand creams such as Nivea and Vaseline, etc. One may, however, use a liquid hand lotion (which can be poured).
R’ Avraham Avraham writes (Nishmat Avraham 1 OC 328:22b) that both R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (quoted in Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 33:n58) and R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 7:30:2) held that while spreading an ointment evenly on one’s skin is forbidden mideoraisa, this is only if it remains on the surface. One may, however, rub cream into the skin if it gets properly absorbed (See Daas Torah 328:26; Minchas Yitzchak 7:20).
As one shouldn’t take medicine on Shabbos, this doesn’t apply to medicinal creams, though a bedridden patient (choleh shein bo sakanah) may rub such cream in. The same applies to young children.
For creams that are not absorbed, one may press cream (from the back of a spoon, etc.) providing one does not rub the cream in. One is allowed to rub off excess ointments.
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Excellent. I have been taught that a "choleh shein bo sakanah" doesn't have to be "bedridden"; it's enough if he feels that he should take to his bed even though he is still up. Sep 21, 2014 at 12:56