Siman - Shabbos Daf 109

• Washing hands three times

A Baraisa at the bottom of 108b listed parts of the body, such as the eyes, nose and ears, that should not be touched in the morning before washing one’s hands, because a spirit called bas melech rests on the hands and causes harm.

In a Baraisa on this Daf, Rebbe Nassan said, בת חורין היא זו ומקפדת עד שירחוץ ידיו ג' פעמים – This spirit is free agent, and insists on remaining until one washes his hands three times.

Rabbeinu Chananel explains that it commands respect among the other spirits, like a free man among people.

• Wine or vinegar to heal injured hand or foot

The Gemara brings a teaching from Mar Ukva, who said that one who injured his hand or foot should not hesitate to reduce its swelling with wine on Shabbos, because wine is not an effective treatment. The Gemara then relates that Rav Hillel told Rav Ashi that he learned in the academy of Rav Kahana that it is forbidden to use vinegar, because it is an effective treatment.

Subsequently, Ravina once visited Rav Ashi in his home, and saw that a donkey had stepped on Rav Ashi’s foot and that Rav Ashi was using vinegar to reduce its swelling.

When Ravina asked Rav Ashi if he does not agree with Rav Hillel that using vinegar is prohibited, Rav Ashi responded that, גב היד וגב הרגל שאני – a wound on the back of the hand or on top of the foot, is different, i.e. it is more dangerous and can be life threatening. Rashi explains that one can be mechallel Shabbos in this case.

• Bathing in the Yam Hagadol for therapeutic reasons

The Gemara brings conflicting Baraisos, with one stating that it is permitted to bathe in the Yam Hagadol on Shabbos for therapeutic reasons, and the other stating that it is forbidden to do so.

After two possible resolutions are rejected, the Gemara answers that the Baraisa that permits bathing in the Yam Hagadol was referring to its fine waters. Rashi explains that people would wash in those waters even during the week not for therapeutic reasons, therefore it would not be recognizable that one is doing so for a cure.

The Baraisa that prohibits bathing in the Yam Hagadol was referring to its foul parts, where it would be clear to others that one’s intent is for healing purposes and not merely for bathing.