Template:Soap on Shabbat

From Halachipedia
  1. Some poskim hold that it is permitted to use a bar of soap on Shabbat because one doesn't intend of smoothing out the bar of soap or creating any soap suds.[1] On the opposite extreme some poskim hold that it is forbidden to use either bar or liquid soap on Shabbat.[2] However, according to the majority of poskim, one may not use a bar of soap but one may use liquid soap on Shabbat.[3]
  2. Some poskim it is permitted to use foam handsoap on Shabbat.[4]
  3. If one used a scented soap to clean one’s hands it is permitted to dry one’s hands on a towel.[5]
  4. Using Purell is like using liquid hand soap and many poskim permit using it on Shabbat.[6]
  1. According to Chacham Ovadia Yosef (Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:50), it is permitted to use a bar of soap or liquid soap on shabbat because one has no intention of changing anything. One only intends clean what he is washing.
  2. According to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (Sh"t Igrot Moshe OC 1:113) it is forbidden to use a bar of soap and it is forbidden to use liquid soap on shabbat.
  3. According to Chacham Ben-Zion Abba-Shaul (Sh"t Or Litzion 2:35:5), one may not use a bar of soap but one may use liquid soap on shabbat. Rabbi Eli Mansour, Aruch Hashulchan 326:11, and Ketzot Hashulchan 146:32 agree. Kitzur Hilchot Shabbat pg. 74 says this is the common practice. See also Shemirat Shabbat Kihilchita 14:16. Rav Schachter (Shabbat Shiur 11) explained that it is questionable to forbid using a liquid soap since the resultant sods created as very temporary.
  4. Rav Schachter (Shabbat Shiur 11) held that using foamy soap is permitted since changing the liquid into a foam and using it since the result is very temporary before it is washed down the drain. Rav Willig (Asicha Shabbos 2 p. 9) agreed.
  5. Ginat Veradim OC 3:16 writes that it is permitted to use rose water to clean your hands and to dry them on a towel since there’s no prohibition of molid when it is unintentional. Molid is only a derabbanan and if one doesn’t intend for it it isn’t an issue of a pesik reisha. This is also the opinion of the Maharshal (Yam Shel Shlomo Beitzah 2:34). Rav Avraham Antebi writes that the Syrian minhag was to use rose water on Shabbat for washing hands.
  6. Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz