16. Washing one’s hands in salt or soap

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16. Washing one’s hands in salt or soap:[1]

It is forbidden to wash one’s hands in salt and certainly with soap or other fats.

The reason for this is: because [the material] dissolves in ones hand and is as if one has created a new substance on Shabbos which resembles a forbidden action, as was explained in “The Laws of melting snow and ice” [Halacha 4] that it is forbidden to crush snow and hail for this reason. [This prohibition is referred to as Molid.]

Other Opinions: [However] according to those which [held there] that the reason for the prohibition of crushing snow and hail is because of a decree made [to safeguard one from coming to] squeeze fruits which are designated for their juices as snow and hail are likewise designated for their liquids as was explained there [in Halacha 19], [then according to them] soap and other fat which are not designated as liquids are permitted to be [even] initially crushed [when washed in water].

The Final Ruling: One is to be stringent like the former opinion.

Summary of using soap:[2]

It may not be dissolved with one’s hands. Thus, it is forbidden to wash one’s hands or other body parts with a block of soap.

Q&A

Does washing one’s hands with a bar of soap contain the smoothening prohibition [Mimachek] and would thus be prohibited according to all?