Squeezing on Shabbat
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Question
Dear Rabbi, I would like to ask a few questions regarding squeezing on Shabbat: 1. I heard that it is permissible to place a towel on the head without rubbing, is this correct? 2. Is it permissible in areas with few hairs, such as the armpits, pubic area, hands, eyelashes? 3. When rinsing the mouth, a little water remains on the beard, is it permissible to wipe it with a towel? 4. If there is seminal fluid on the hair, how can it be wiped on Shabbat without the issue of squeezing?
Answer
Shalom Rav,
1. Correct, this is not an act of squeezing when the water is absorbed into the towel by itself.
2. In places where the hair is dense and the water appears absorbed, it is prohibited, like on the head. However, in places where the hair is sparse and not dense, such as arm hair and eyelashes, this is not considered squeezing, and it is permissible to wipe them.
3. The beard hair is usually dense, so it is prohibited to squeeze it, but it is permissible to wipe over it, like the hair on the head.
4. It is permissible to wash with water and then place a towel to absorb the water.
Source
Mishnah Berurah 326:21