Scents Absorbed in Clothing

Q. I was told that it is forbidden to be molid rei’ach (cause a scent to be absorbed) in clothing on Shabbos. What does this mean?

A. The Rema (OC 511:4) writes that one may not brush perfume over clothing on Shabbos or Yom Tov, as the fragrance will be absorbed into the garment. This is known as molid rei’ach. The Mishnah Berurah (511:26-27) explains that Chazal forbade molid rei’ach because adding fragrance to material is creating something new and has the appearance of melacha. Similarly, the prohibition of molid rei’ach applies to placing a fragrant fruit on a tablecloth, because the pleasant aroma will be absorbed in the fabric. Even if the clothing already has a scent one may not do so if this will intensify the fragrance. Nonetheless, Mishnah Berurah writes that one may re-wrap an esrog (on Sukkos) in cloth, as rewrapping will not cause the material to absorb a stronger scent.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.