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...
Using an Electric Menorah for the Hanukah Candle Lighting
The Custom That Women Refrain From Certain Activities While the Hanukah Candles are Lit
Chanukah- Some Issues Concerning Hallel on Chanukah
Hanukah- May a Mourner Attend a Hanukah Party?
The Qualifications of the Hanukah Menorah
Chanukah- Should the Hanukah Candles be Lit Indoors or Outdoors?
Is There an Obligation to Eat Festive Meals on Hanukah?
What are the Preferred Materials From a Menorah Should be Made?
Hanukah – The Custom to Eat Jelly Donuts and Potato Pancakes
If a Congregation Neglected to Read the Hanukah Torah Reading
Hallel on Hanukah – One Who Mistakenly Recited Half-Hallel; Women’s Recitation of Hallel; Interruptions During Hallel
If One Did Not Recite Shehehiyanu on the First Night of Hanukah
The Hanukah Candle Lighting in the Synagogue When the First Night of Hanukah is Friday Night
Hanukah – Insights Into the Word “Hanukah”; the “Ma’oz Sur” Hymn; Praying for One’s Children at the Time of Candle Lighting
Hanukah Candles – The “Shamosh” Candle, and the Extra Candle Lit by Syrian Jews
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found