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We are beginning siman 16. The Chayei Adam discusses a case based on the mishnah in Shabbos, daf 143a, where the Mishnah discusses using a sponge on Shabbos. The sponges used at the times of Chazal were actually a living organism which grew in the water and had the ability to absorb. Nowadays, our sponges are made of nylon, and function in a similar manner.
The Mishnah differentiates between using a sponge which has a handle and which does not. If it has a handle, it is muttar to clean with it, but if it does not have a handle, it is assur. There is a machlokes rishonim as to why there is a difference. Rashi and Rambam explain that the issue is schita, in that it is a psik reisha when one hold the sponge that water will be squeezed out, and as the water is useful it’s a psik reisha d’nicha lei when the liquid comes out. Even if a person is not deliberately squeezing the sponge, it is helpful for cleaning when the liquid comes out, so it is considered nicha lei (see shiur s407). If the sponge has a handle, the person is no longer touching the sponge directly, so it no longer a psik reisha that it will release liquid (assuming they do not press hard). If so, there is no longer an issue of schita. The Chayei Adam will follow this approach.
The Raavad takes issue with this approach. He argues that even with a handle, it is inevitable that one will release liquid when using the sponge, so it is again an issue of a psik reisha d’nicha lei. We will first read the opinion of the Chayei Adam and then return to discuss the Raavad.
The Chayei Adam writes that one cannot use a sponge for the purpose of cleaning unless it has a handle. He explains that only when there is a handle is it possible to avoid schita. If it does not have a handle, schita will inevitably occur. Even if the person does not intend to squeeze, such that it could be a davar she’eino miskavein, since it is inevitable, it becomes a psik reisha, so it is assur.
We will discuss the Raavad’s opinion in the upcoming shiur, be’ezras Hashem.
Summary
It is muttar to use a sponge for cleaning, provided it has a handle and one does not press down on the surface. If it does not have a handle, or one presses down hard, it is a psik reisha that squeezing will occur, and it is assur.
