גChelek 3
- Any type of refua is ossur on Shabbos. Chazal were concerned lest it lead to grinding medicinal herbs which is Tochayn. (MB )
- 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 )
- 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 )
- 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 )
- A rigorous massage with the intention of making the patient sweat is forbidden. (MB )
- 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 )
- 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 )
- Scratching with your fingernails is mutar, just don't make yourself bleed. (MB )
- 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)