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We are continuing in siman 5, discussing muttar ways to use creams or lotions on Shabbos. As we learned in the previous shiur, even in cases where the gezeira regarding refuah does not apply, the gezeirah of shema yimareiach still applies, so a cream or lotion cannot automatically be used even if there is no gezeirah of refuah.
If the lotion in question pours rather than spreads, if the gezeirah of refuah does not apply, one could use such a lotion, because the concept of memareiach does not apply to it at all. If it is not possible to use such a lotion, and the item is only sold as a cream, the solution is to apply it with a shinui. The shinui serves as a reminder that one should not perform memareiach.
There are a few aspects to this shinui. The Chazon Ish writes that generally, these creams come in a tube, so a person squeezes out the minimal amount they need and then applies it to the precise spot. Therefore, over here, one could squeeze a large amount out of the tube to be considered a sufficient shinui.
Another shinui would involve squeezing the cream onto the handle of a utensil, and then applying it accordingly.
Although these heterim apply to two potential instances, it does not solve what to do regarding creams which must be rubbed in. We will discuss this point further, be’zras Hashem.
If one needs to spread a cream over a larger area, such as a baby with a diaper rash, one can place the cream on the diaper and then put the diaper on the baby. Although placing a new diaper makes it inevitable that the cream will move around, it is not a psik reisha that any specific movement will cause the cream to move around, so it is muttar. That being said, it is natural to rub the diaper (or similarly, gauze) on itself to distribute the cream properly, so one should be careful to avoid doing so.
If it is necessary to actively rub it in, one can ask a non-Jew, as it would be a shvus d’shvus (the cream is not assur on a deoraysa level). Even if it were the type of cream which is assur mideoraysa, amira l’achum will be muttar if the person is nafal lemishkav. Thus, we have the heter of shvus d’shvus b’makom tzaar on issurei derabanan, and that if one has the status of a choleh, even amira l’achum on a deoraysa will be muttar.
Multiple poskim write that if one needs to rub a cream to the point that it gets absorbed in the skin, there is no issue of memareiach. They explain that memareiach is defined as spreading something and leaving a layer, so spreading something which is completely absorbed by the body will not be considered memareiach. We will clarify this point further, be’zras Hashem.
Summary
- Even in scenarios where the gezeirah regarding refuah does not apply, the gezeirah regarding shema yimareiach does. Therefore, one should either use a lotion that pours rather than spreads, apply the cream with a shinui, or apply it to a gauze or diaper and let the body move around and naturally spread it..
- An example of the level of shinui needed is squeezing a large amount of cream from the tube, even though one only requires a small amount
- If it is necessary to it rub in, one can ask a non-Jew
