#264: Sponges

1. One may not use a regular sponge on Shabbat to wash dishes because absorbed water is squeezed out from the sponge to clean the dishes, thus violating sechitah on Shabbos (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 12:12). This is forbidden even if the sponge remains underneath the water in the sink during the entire time that the dishes are washed, since one may come to squeeze out water from the sponge when the sponge is out of the water (Ibid.).

2. It is permitted to use a nylon bottle brush with a handle since using a handle is not the normal method of sechitah (Mishnah Berurah 320:55; Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 12:15). Likewise, many poskim permit certain types of “Shabbos sponges,” since these sponges do not actually absorb water inside, and no water is squeezed out when used. Rather, the water simply enters and exits the sponge without remaining absorbed (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 14:15; Zomet Institute). Some suggest avoiding these sponges since in their opinion, water still remains absorbed inside and is squeezed out when used to wash dishes. One should consult a local rabbinic authority to determine whether sponges available locally are acceptable or not.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.