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Shabbos 40

1) BATHING ON SHABBOS AND YOM TOV

QUESTION: It is forbidden to bathe one's entire body with hot water on Shabbos and Yom Tov. The reason is because of the Gezeirah that was made in order to prevent the bath attendants from heating water on Shabbos.

If it is permitted l'Chatchilah to heat water for bathing on Yom Tov (as stated in a Mishnah in Beitzah, quoted earlier on this Daf), why does the Gezeirah apply to Yom Tov?

ANSWERS:

(a) TOSFOS (39b, DH u'Beis Hillel) and the YERUSHALMI answer that since rinsing one's *entire* body is an indulgence that is "Eino Shaveh l'Chol Nefesh" -- it is not a pleasurable activity commonly done by everyone (in those days), it is not permissible to do a Melachah for such a purpose on Yom Tov, and doing Melachah for such a purpose is an Isur d'Oraisa.

(b) The RAMBAN, RE'AH, and CHIDUSHEI HA'RAN argue that washing one's entire body is certainly a normal, pleasurable activity done by everyone, and heating water for that purpose is permissible. The reason why one may not bathe in hot water is not because of the decree that forbids bathing on Shabbos, but rather because one might come to transgress any of several Melachos that bathing may entail, such as smoothing the floor of the bath, squeezing out a towel, etc.

May one wash his entire body on Shabbos? The Gemara concludes that the Halachah is in accordance with Rebbi Yehudah, who says that it is permitted to wash with cold water, but not with hot water. However, the custom is not to wash even with cold water, because there are many prohibitions that one might accidentally transgress (such as squeezing the towel or one's hair).

Tevilah is permissible in a cold Mikvah, as long as one is careful not to squeeze the towel or one's hair, or carry something in Reshus ha'Rabim to the Mikvah. (SHULCHAN ARUCH OC 326:8 and BI'UR HALACHAH there)

40b

OPINIONS: The Gemara states that a person should not place a kettle of hot water on his stomach on Shabbos (for a reason other than the danger involved of the hot water spilling on him). What is the reason for this prohibition on Shabbos?

(a) RASHI says that it is prohibited because the hot water may spill over onto the person and it will be as if he is washing his body on Shabbos with hot water (in other words, a Gezeirah for a Gezeirah. It is evident from Rashi that washing the torso is equivalent to washing one's entire body, which is prohibited on Shabbos).

(b) TOSFOS disagrees and says that the Gemara is discussing a case where there is a towel on one's stomach underneath the kettle. The Rabanan were concerned that the water would spill over from the kettle and one would squeeze out the towel.

(c) TOSFOS gives an alternative answer, and says that it is prohibited to place hot water on one's stomach when it is being done for medicinal purposes, and the Rabanan made a decree prohibiting medical acts on Shabbos.