We are continuing in Klal 23, discussing the melacha of menapeitz. We left off with the question of whether combing hair, fur or a shaitel is considered menapeitz. We already discussed these actions in the context of gozeiz, but the question is whether they are menapeitz as well (or instead of gozeiz).
The Iglei Tal answers that menapeitz does not apply to hair which is still attached to the body, but only applies after gozeiz and when the hair is being readied for spinning into thread. Therefore, combing hair does not fall into the melacha of menapeitz. There may be concerns of gozeiz while combing hair, if the hair is knotty or the like.
We will see in the Chayei Adam that the melacha of menapeitz is not limited to wool, but applies to anything which is combed out for a future step in a process. If that is the case, the question is raised about combing a shaitel on Shabbos. To understand this issue, we need to understand menapeitz.
Although the melacha of menapeitz seems insignificant, it is impossible to spin the fibers into threads without first cleaning (melabein and menapeitz) and straightening the wool (menapeitz). If the melacha of menapeitz is defined as facilitating the process of making something into a thread, combing a shaitel obviously would not fall under menapeitz. However, if menapeitz is defined as combing which is beneficial to the item, combing a shaitel would be a problem. This question remains as a safeik in the Iglei Tal. in Teshuvos Avnei Nezer, he also remains with the safeik, and therefore the poskim are concerned for this safeik if one combs their shaitel vigorously. If one combs gently, such that they are not pulling hairs or straightening the hair, it clearly does not fall under the melacha of menapeitz and it would be muttar.
Combing a significantly disheveled shaitel may also fall under the issur derabanan of tikkun kli, that Chazal were concerned about fixing a kli to make it functional. Tikkun kli is a gezeira out of concern for makkeh bepatish. Thus, even though gozeiz does not apply (because it is detached) and menapeitz would arguably not apply (if it is not combed vigorously), tikkun kli would still apply.
Summary
- Menapeitz only applies to hair which is detached from the body and is the step before spinning wool into thread.
- It is a safeik whether menapeitz applies to combing a shaitel, so the poskim caution against combing a shaitel vigorously
