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...
Does Someone Count for a Minyan If He is in a Different Room?
Is There an Obligation to Live in Eretz Yisrael?
May a Woman Return Home From the Hospital on Shabbat After a “False Alarm”?
Revoking Rabbinic Edicts of Past Generations
Accompanying a Woman in Labor to the Hospital on Shabbat
May a Husband be Present During His Wife’s Labor and Delivery?
May Expectant Parents Find Out the Fetus’ Gender?
Is it Permissible to Pray for the Death of a Terminally Ill Patient Who is Suffering?
Using the Mother’s Name When Praying for a Sick Patient
“Opening One’s Mouth to the Satan”
Does One Recite Tefilat Ha’derech Before a Short Flight?
Customs to Observe After Experiencing a Miracle
The Beracha Recited Upon Entering a Cemetery
The Completion of the 13th Daf Yomi Cycle
May a Synagogue Have a Menorah With Seven Branches?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found