58. It is forbidden to smear plaster, wax, or tar on Shabbos(1). Therefore, it is forbidden to put wax or thick oil in a hole to seal it, or to stick these substances on an object as a reminder (2). It is, however, permitted to spread food, for example, to spread butter on bread (3).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) One of the 39 Avos Melachos (prototype prohibited activity - see Halacha Yomi 80:15, note (1)) is "Scraping" ("Memachek"), which refers to the act of scraping an animal hide to smooth its surface for use as parchment. Therefore, any act which involves smoothing ("Memreach") out a moldable substance, such as wax, is prohibited as a derivative (Toladah) of "Scraping." For example, it is forbidden on Shabbos to use a solid bar of soap, or to spread cream on one's skin or on a cloth which will be applied to the body. Regarding a mild diaper rash on a baby, one may dab cream on the area and then cover it with the diaper, allowing the cream to spread by itself. Obviously, when dealing with severe diaper rash and other serious wounds, leniencies will apply with regard to spreading medication. Please consult your local Rabbi.

(2) The general criterion is that if a substance cannot be poured like regular oil, and it doesn't flow by itself, but rather, one would have to spread it by hand, then it is forbidden to spread it ("Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos," Siman 32, Note 19). The majority of authorities rule that liquid soap is permitted on Shabbos, because of its relatively fluid consistency. However, there is an opinion that since liquid soap has some density, it is subject to the prohibition of "Smoothing." Those who follow this view, mix the soap with water (preferably before Shabbos) so that it is extremely fluid ("The Shabbos Kitchen" by Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen, pg 179).

(3) There is a dispute among the authorities as to whether the prohibition of "Smoothing" applies to food. Although we follow the lenient view which permits the spreading of food, one is considered praiseworthy if one refrains from smoothing out food FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES, like the icing on a cake. There is no need to be stringent when spreading food without concern for making the surface appear smooth ("The Shabbos Kitchen" by Simcha Bunim Cohen).

	Some Activities Forbidden on Shabbos Paragraph 57		Some Activities Forbidden on Shabbos Paragraph 59
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