Answer by Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin, Moreh Hora’ah at Beis Horaa in Rechovot, Israel:
Stick Deodorant:
In the building of the Mishkan they would sand hides of animals to prepare the yerios (coverings of the mishkan). Sanding wood or sharpening a knife is therefore considered a melacha.
Some poskim contend that it is likewise prohibited to use a bar of soap or deodorant since in the process the surface of the soap is shaved and smoothened [1].
However, many disagree since one has no interest or benefit in smoothening the already smooth soap bar (unlike in previous centuries when soap bars were rough) [2].
Still, some argue that applying the deodorant on the body constitutes memareiach, smearing a soft substance on a surface, since one wants the deodorant to be spread [3].
Deodorant Spray:
It is prohibited to scatter particles into the wind on Shabbos, which is like winnowing grain, and poskim discuss whether spraying liquid would be included.
However, several distinctions from winnowing are made: It’s not of growing or living origin [4], it’s sprayed onto a surface and not into the air [5], the user generates the air pressure, unlike winnowing which uses the wind [6], in aerosols the air doesn’t leave the can, it only forces the liquid out. This allowance would not apply to spray bottles where the air is pumped out.
In practice: When spraying against a surface both types of spray may be used [7].
Roll-On Deodorant:
Since neither of these problems exist by roll-on deodorant, it is permitted for use on Shabbos.
Scented deodorant may pose a problem of molid reyach, generating a scent, and will be discussed another time.
SOURCES:
1. משנ”ב סי’ שכ”ו סק”ל מעשה רוקח פכ”ב מהלכות שבת דין י”ג.
2. קצוה”ש סי’ קמ”ו בדה”ש סקל”ב. וראה שו”ת בדי הארון סי’ י”ב. וכן משמע מדברי אדה”ז שלולי איסור נולד הי’ מותר.
3. ראה שש”כ פי”ד סס”ז, שו”ת אור לציון ח”ב פל”ה תשו’ ה’. אך בסבון יש גם איסור משום בורא ונולד כשממיסו במים.
4. שו”ת רעק”א סי’ כ’ שמלאכת זורה הוא דווקא בגידולי קרקע.
5. ראה פסק”ת שבת ח”ב סי’ שי”ט סעיף מ”ח והערה 376.
6. שבת כהלכה פרק י”ח הע’ ל”ב. שו”ת מנח”י ח”ו סי’ כ”ו.
7 . ראה נתיבים בשדה השליחות ח”א סי י”א.
Published in Lmaan Yishmeu, a newsletter by MerkazAnash.com
thanks for the clarification. i always wondered this question.
what IS roll on deodorant???
Is gel deodorants considered like roll on?
I remember Rabbi Shusterman from Beverly Hills saying that even though it is scented, since you are putting the deodorant to mask and remove bad odor rather than to give a good odor, it is permissible.
i paskin yes but most other 13 year old dont hold like me
rabbanoim today have no idea what is ussiur or muter. Somebody disagrees and they back down from the psak. Yes or No is what people want??? if not…c”s
In practice: When spraying against a surface both types of spray may be used [7].
So is that only referring to unscented?
I don’t understand. All Yidden smell good naturally.
btw rabbi bell and rabbi stern of montreal might disagree
people say chabad doesent used scented on shabbos. Please clarify.