The Work of Whitening - Applying Water on Clothes Worn on the Body
Question
Hello, and thank you to everyone who helps share the halachos and Torah teachings of our dear Rabbi, shlita, in such a clear and uplifting way. I am also deeply grateful for always responding so quickly and thoughtfully, it truly means a lot. Is it permissible to wash one's hands over one's a sleeve on Shabbat?Also, is it permissible to wash one's hands over an elastic bandage [which is generally washed after use for reuse]?And is it permissible on Shabbat to pour water on one's the clothing one is wearing to cool off? Is there a prohibition of "Me'labein" (laundering)? The core issue is whether there is room for leniency, since this may be considered as having soiled the garment, as wet clothes gets soiled from one's body. As stated in Tosafot (Yoma 77b): 'The way of soiling garments is by walking with them in water'.And also in the rulings of the Rosh in Yoma (ibid): '...And, there is also no issue with regard to the prohibition of laundering, since it is the manner of wearing', etc., and it seems the reason is, that the clothing gets soiled because of the body.Therefore, can we consider the above cases also a manner of soiling. I repeat my thanks and request that our Rav look into it. With the blessing of the Torah.
Answer
Shalom,
There is no permission to soak a garment in water except for the purpose of a mitzvah (or something similar), but otherwise it would be prohibited due to the concern that one might wring it out.
As explained in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 201.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 301
Seif 3
If one was walking and reached a body of water, he may jump over it, even if it is so wide that he cannot place one foot before lifting the other, and it is better to jump over the river than to go around it, since going around it would cause one to walk more on Shabbos; and it is forbidden to pass through it, lest one come to wring (...out water from one's clothes).
Seif 4
If one was going for a mitzvah, such as to his teacher or a great Chacham, he may pass through it, in a way of 'shinuy' (doing something not usual), such as not taking his hand out from under the edge of his cloak, so that he remembers (its Shabbos) and therefore will not come to wring out the water from his clothes.