These Halachos of Annointing, Leather Shoes and Intimacy on Yom Kippur are based on the Mishna Berura, reflecting Ashkenazi practice.
Annointing on Yom Kippur
- It is forbidden to apply oils, creams, cosmetic powders, perfumes, lipsticks etc to one’s body on Yom Kippur due to the prohibition of ‘sicha’, anointing. (Some of these may also not be applied due to the melachos of memareiach, smoothing and tzoveia, dying) (SA 614:1, PT 1, MB 554:28, BHL D”H Sicha).
- Deodorant: Many poskim are of the view that applying deodorant also falls under the prohibition of anointing, such that one should only apply deodorant before the fast. However, some are lenient and one should consult one’s Rav for practical guidance if required (See Dirshu 614:2, PT 1, PH YN 9:4)
- Medical needs: It is permissible to apply ointments when doing so for medical purposes, so long as there is no issue of memareiach, smoothing and refuah, engaging in healing activities (as an example, a cream may be dabbed on the skin if one is careful not to rub it, for a person who is considered a ‘choleh she’ein bo sakana’) (SA 614:1, MB 2).
Wearing Leather Shoes on Yom Kippur
- On Yom Kippur one may not wear leather shoes, nor shoes made primarily of other materials but also contain leather, even merely as a covering. It is appropriate to wear footwear such as slippers which are soft such that one feels the ground and has a sense of being barefoot.
- Comfortable non-leather footwear: The poskim debate whether one may wear footwear which is non-leather but comfortable and used day-to-day – consult your Rav for practical guidance (SA 614:2, MB 5-6, SHT 5, Dirshu 9, PT 4).
- Leniencies: In extreme cases, such as for a person who is ill or has a foot injury, there can be leniencies to permit wearing leather shoes. However, given the availability of comfortable non-leather footwear these would very rarely apply nowadays and one should consult with a Rav if needed (SA 614:3, Dirshu 15).
Marital Intimacy
- Marital intimacy is forbidden on Yom Kippur.
- Niddah restrictions: All the restrictions of when a woman is niddah also apply both at night-time and during the day on Yom Kippur – therefore husband and wife may not touch, sleep in the same bed, engage in playful conversation etc. (SA 615:1, MB 1, Dirshu 3).
