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...
If Somebody Left After Eating Without Reciting Birkat Ha’mazon
Lifting and Holding the Cup of Wine During Birkat Ha’mazon
The Recitation of Birkat Ha’mazon
With What Hand Does a Left-Handed Person Hold the Cup of Wine During Birkat Ha-mazon?
Using a “Defective” Cup of Wine if No More Wine is Available
Using a Cup From Which One Had Drunk for “Kos Shel Beracha”
When Should Birkat Ha’mazon be Recited Over a Cup of Wine?
Performing Netilat Yadayim with Cloudy Water
Must One Dry His Hands Before Washing Netilat Yadayim?
The Importance of Netilat Yadayim After Waking
The Beracha of Asher Yasar after Using the Bathroom
Giving Praise to Hashem Before Blessing Others
Studying The Laws of Berachot-When Eating Grapes & Peanuts
If a Person Mistakenly Recited “Al Ha’mihya” Instead of “Mezonot” Before Eating, or “Boreh Nefashot” Instead of “Al Ha’mihya” After Eating
If One Mistakenly Recited “Al Ha’mihya” Instead of Birkat Ha’mazon
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found