Care of Teeth
- Brushing Teeth: SSK (Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa) records that the practice is not to brush teeth on Shabbos, given a number of halachic concerns including schita (squeezing water out of the brush, given the fibers are closely knit) and memareach (smoothing the toothpaste on the teeth). The poskim discuss possible solutions to these issues, consult a Rav for guidance as required.
- Toothpicks and floss: One may use toothpicks or dental floss so long as these will not definitely cause the gums to bleed. Floss may not be cut on Shabbos, so it should be cut beforehand, or used whilst still part of the roll (SSK 14:39, fn142, PT 327:3).
- Mouthwash: mouthwash be used on Shabbos (SSK 14:41).
Measuring Weight and Height
- Due to the Rabbinic prohibition of measuring, it is forbidden to weigh oneself or measure one’s height on Shabbos, even with non-electric implements. Implements used to weigh or measure are therefore muktza on Shabbos (SSK 14:42, fn112).
Sunbathing
- It is permissible to sunbathe for pleasure on Shabbos, even though it may cause the skin to tan (SSK 14:44, 18fn70).
Exercising
- Heavy Exercise: It is forbidden to do heavy exercising (‘working out’ or running) on Shabbos for health reasons; Chazal forbad activities which lead to sweating when these are being done for health purposes under the restrictions on ‘refuah’, engaging in medicinal activities. Therefore, one may not exercise using weights and the like.
- Done for Pleasure: When one is engaging in such activities as one finds them intrinsically pleasurable, rather than for their health benefits, there is room to permit doing them on Shabbos (SA 328:42, MB 129-130, Dirshu 115, SA 301:2, MB 7, SSK 14:43, 34:22, 16:40, fn106).
- Basic Stretching: It is permitted to do basic stretching, even with basic equipment, to relieve aches and pains, where this does not lead to sweating (SSK 14:43, 34:22, fn94).
Earplugs
- It is permissible to use ear plugs on Shabbos even if one needs to adjust their shape to fit the ear. This is certainly true for foam earplugs; SSK rules leniently as well by wax ear plugs though notes some are strict due to memareiach (silicone ear plugs have the same status as wax earplugs) (SSK 14:45, PT 314:11).
