DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 574 KB)
Applying a Fragrant Spray to Clothing on Shabbat and Yom Tob

The Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles of Cracow, 1525-1572), in the context of the laws of Yom Tob (Orah Haim 511:4), codifies the prohibition of "Molid Reha," which means making something fragrant. It is forbidden to apply a fragrant substance, such as a spray, to a garment, such as a shirt, or even a handkerchief, on Shabbat or Yom Tob. Although it is permissible to apply perfume or cologne to one’s body or hair, one may not apply a fragrant spray to his clothing on Shabbat or Yom Tob.

The Halachic authorities address the question of whether it is permissible to wrap the Etrog on Sukkot in the flax hair that many people use to protect their Etrogim, as this has the effect of making the material fragrant. The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) rules that as long as the Etrog had already been in the flax hair before Shabbat or Yom Tob, and thus the hair was already fragrant, one may wrap the Etrog on Shabbat or Yom Tob.

These Halachot are codified by Rav Natan Ben Sanior in his Ner Le’siyon (listen to audio recording for precise citation).

Summary: Although it is permissible to apply perfume or cologne to one’s body or hair on Shabbat and Yom Tob, one may not apply a fragrant spray to one’s clothing.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Berachot When Having Coffee and Cake
The Beracha for Mashed Potatoes, Eddge, French Fries, Pringles, and Potato Chips
What Beracha is Required for Small Pieces of Bread if Hot Soup Was Poured on Them?
Leaving Bread on the Table for Birkat Ha’mazon
Does One Recite “Ha’mosi’ on Bread in Soup?
The Beracha Aharona Over Wine Produced in Israel
Eating Dessert After Birkat Ha’mazon on Shabbat to Add Berachot
If One Dropped the Piece of Food Immediately After Reciting the Beracha
Reciting Berachot if One is Drinking or Eating Small Amounts Throughout the Day
Does a Beracha Recited Over a Fruit Cover Another Fruit That is Considered Superior?
If One Recited a Beracha Over Food and Then More Food Was Served
Must One Recite a Beracha Over Wine Drunk During a Meal?
If One Mistakenly Recited a Beracha Over Food When Eating is Forbidden
Does the Beracha of “She’ha’kol” Recited Over Food Cover Beverages?
An Incorrect Beracha That Was Immediately Corrected
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found