Shabbat: B (Bathing, Books, Brushing Teeth, Business)

Richard B. Aiken

BATHING

Shabbat: Showering

It is forbidden to shower on Shabbat.

Blotting Hair

You may blot your hair with a towel on Shabbat as long as you don't squeeze or wring out your hair.

BIOLUMINESCENCE

You may use bioluminescent light on Shabbat and you may carry the light within an eruv or a building (if it is permitted to carry there), but you may not activate it on Shabbat.

BOOKS

Books with Writing on Side

On Shabbat, you may open a book that has words or letters printed on the edge of the book, even though the words will be made unreadable.

Marking Pages in Books

You may mark pages in a book, whether secular or holy, on Shabbat by:

  • Putting slips of paper in the book (but only if the slips were torn before Shabbatbegan).
  • Bending the page corners, whether the books are secular or Jewish holy books.

BRAIDING HAIR

You may not braid (or unbraid) hair on Shabbat.

BRUSHING TEETH

Toothpaste

You may not use toothpaste on Shabbat.

Water, Tooth Powder, Toothwashing Liquid

You may use water, tooth powder, and toothwashing liquid on Shabbat but, to avoid squeezing the toothbrush bristles, you must put the water or toothwashing liquid into your mouth and not on the brush.

Rinsing Toothbrush

You may rinse your toothbrush if you will use it again on Shabbat, but don't squeeze out the water.

Flossing

You may floss your teeth on Shabbat as long as your gums do not bleed.

NOTE: You may not cut the floss on Shabbat, so it is best to cut it before sunset. Even if you did not cut the floss ahead of time, you can still pull out a length of floss and clean your teeth, but be careful not to cut it off when you are finished.

BUSINESSES

Owning a Business Operated on Shabbat

A business whose sole or major owner is Jewish may not be operated on Shabbat (and Jewish festivals), even by non-Jewish employees.

NOTE: There may be possibilities to allow operation by relinquishing majority control, but the issues are complex and rabbinic guidance is essential.

Internet Business

Running a business that accepts orders and payments over the internet during Shabbat is complicated. The main issue is collecting payments. Consult a rabbi for specific cases.

Selling Tickets for Flights on Shabbat

A travel agent may sell airline tickets during a weekday to a Jew for flights on Shabbat-- but a Jew may not depart a flight on Shabbat!

Copyright 2015 Richard B. Aiken. Halacha L’Maaseh appears courtesy of www.practicalhalacha.com Visit their web site for more information.