We are continuing in siman 16, discussing the halachos of using a sponge on Shabbos. We have learned the opinion of the Rambam and the Raavad. We left off with the question of the Raavad on the Rambam, that even when a sponge has a handle, it is inevitable that squeezing will take place.
There are a few scenarios in which one uses a sponge. One scenario, which we have primarly been dicussing, is where the sponge has water and/or a cleaning agent in it, and pressing on the sponge allows for the moisture of the sponge to be expelled and clean the surface. In such a case, there is clear intent to extract liquid from the sponge, or it will at least be a psik raisha dnicha lei.
Another scenario is where there was a spill, and one wishes to use the sponge to absorb the liquid of the spill. In this scenario, the opinion of the Rambam (and Rashi) are much more understandable: if one is holding the sponge by the body of the sponge, it is a psik reisha that one will squeeze liquid out of the sponge. Even though it is a psik reisha d’lo nicha lei, we pasken that it is still assur miderabanan. That being said, according to the Rambam, if the sponge has a handle, one does not need to be concerned for squeezing the sponge. (There may be a concern if there is more liquid than can be absorbed by the sponge, because one may squeeze out the sponge in order to absorb more liquid.) As long as the sponge can absorb all of the liquid, there is no concern that one will squeeze the sponge. Thus, one way to understand the Rambam is that he is referring to a case where one wishes to absorb liquid with a sponge, and the Rambam holds that it is muttar as long as the sponge can contain the entire liquid, and as long as the sponge has a handle. This understanding is the suggestion of Rav Falk, ztl.
Halacha lemaaseh, if one wishes to clean something by using a wet sponge, it will be assur, because it is inevitable that the schita will occur. If one pours water onto the area and uses a dry sponge with a handle to absorb the liquid, it would be muttar. One should follow the understanding of Rav Falk, as it answers the question of the Raavad on the Rambam. Clearly, the Raavad understand the Rambam as using a sponge to expel liquid onto the area, and hence his question is so compelling. That being said, many poskim understand the Rambam at face value, so one could follow those poskim if they wish. However, one would have to remember that the sponge must have a handle and that one cannot press down.
The above discussion refers to a sponge. A scouring pad, which is made of a loose netting, does not involve schita at all, and there would be no issue using such an item.
We have finished the siman, and will cover a few other points not mentioned by the Chayei Adam before moving onto the next siman, which discusses borer.
Sponsorships opportunities are available for the upcoming melacha, meleches borer. For more information, please contact Rabbi Reingold at rabbireingold@gmail.com or 301.996.5910.
Summary
It is preferable to only use a dry sponge, and only to use it to absorb liquid when the liquid can all be contained by the sponge, and when the sponge has a handle.
One can rely on the poskim who understand that one can use a wet sponge, provided that it has a handle and one presses lightly. It is preferrable not to rely on this opinion.
These issues do not apply to scouring pads, as the fibers are too far apart for there to be an issue of schita.
