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We are continuing in siman 8, where we learned that the Chayei Adam permits one to directly remove a food or tzoah stain from a garment. The Mishnah Berurah does not like this heter, and paskens against it. We need to understand the sevara of the Chayei Adam, but in order to do so, we need to first learn siman 9 and 10.
In siman 9, the Chayei Adam quotes the Gemara that if one has a new, dark garment which got wet (the Gemara’s example is dew), and the person will not wear it while it is wet, shaking off the liquid will be considered libun. The moisture functions as dirt, in that it is the impediment to wearing the garment, and removing that impediment makes the garment usable. Therefore, it is considered libun to shake it off. The Chayei Adam stresses that this case refers to a dark garment, as Chazal understood that moisture has more of an effect on dark garments than on light ones.
Similarly, it is assur to shake off the water from a new, light-colored garment. The water causes the garment to shrink, so shaking off the water prevents the garment from shrinking and is akin to removing dirt from the garment, as we learned above. In both of these cases, the hakpadah of the person (ie, whether they will wear it or not) is determinative in determining whether there is an issue of kibus or not.
Rashi has a different understanding of the case of the Gemara. Rather than discussing moisture, Rashi understands that the Gemara is discussing dust, and the Gemara is teaching us that just shaking off dust is considered libun and chayav. The Shulchan Aruch does not understand the Gemara like Rashi, but in accordance with the first understanding. Therefore, according to the Shulchan Aruch, it is not considered kibus to shake off dust from a garment. The Shulchan Aruch understands that kibus requires either a rubbing action or water (in some form). Therefore, in order to explain the Gemara, the Shulchan Aruch understands that there was water, and that is why this case is assur.
The Chayei Adam quotes the halacha of the Shulchan Aruch.
Summary
- It is assur to shake a liquid out of a garment if the owner will not use the garment, or feel the garment is damaged, without its removal
