---
title: Siman 327 – Anointing
description: גChelek 3 1. Any type of refua is ossur on Shabbos. Chazal were concerned lest it lead to grinding medicinal herbs which is Tochayn. (MB ) 1. If oil is used to anoint healthy people, it may also be used…
url: "https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-327-anointing/"
updated: "2025-12-31"
category: Shvusim and Melachos
---

# Siman 327 – Anointing

גChelek 3

1. Any type of refua is ossur on Shabbos. Chazal were concerned lest it lead to grinding medicinal herbs which is Tochayn. (MB )

1. If oil is used to anoint healthy people, it may also be used as a remedy for a sore stomach or for skin ailments. The reason is that such anointing is not viewed as Refua since maybe he’s anointing because people always anoint even when healthy. (ShA  - MB )

1. If a certain oil is used only for refua, it’s ossur to use on Shabbos. In fact, in places that no-one anoints except for refua, all oils are ossur. (ShA  - Rama )

1. You are allowed to give a light massage on Shabbos for pleasure's sake. You can even apply oil with a shinui - add the oil at the same time of the rubbing. (ShA )

1. A rigorous massage with the intention of making the patient sweat is forbidden. (MB )

1. Do not use a back scratcher on Shabbos - it’s uvdin d’chol. Although, if there is dirt on your skin, you are allowed to scratch it clean with a backscratcher. (ShA  - MB )

1. You may use a special backscratcher designated for Shabbos. This is similar to what the girls use for flattening (not combing) their hair - a designated Shabbos hair brush. (MB )

1. Scratching with your fingernails is mutar, just don't make yourself bleed. (MB )

1. Polishing shoes with wax is the melacha of M’marayach. If a non-Jew does it for you on Shabbos, you may not wear the shoes until after Shabbos plus the time it took to polish the shoes., (MB  - ShaH 17)

## Key

**ShA**
 : Shulchan Aruch

**MB**
 : Mishna Berura

**ShaH**
 : Shaar Hatsiun

**ShaT**
 : Shaaray Teshuva

**BeH**
 : Beur Halacha

**BaH**
 : Baer Haytayv

  [← PreviousSiman 326Bathing or Shabbos](https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-326-bathing-or-shabbos/)[Next →Siman 328Dealing with the sick](https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-328-dealing-with-the-sick/)

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