May I put a frozen bag of vegetables etc. on my body on Shabbos as it might melt from my body heat?

 

If the answer is yes, may I cool myself off with these packets of frozen milk knowing and benefiting from the fact that they will melt? If neither of these are acceptable, may I use a cold cloth placed in the freezer? 

 

Answer:

1) One may handle ice packs to cool off with, since only a small amount of water is melted, there is no intention of melting them and the melted water is going to waste. Melting ice is problematic when one actively melts it, or even when no action is taken if this his intention, for example if wants to melt it save the melted water – which is not applicable in this case.

However, frozen food items like meat and vegetables should not be used since they are muktzah.

2) Since you want to melt the milk, you should not purposely use it to cool off so as to proactively melt it.

3) Cold towels that are not wet and will not become squeezed is permissible to use.

 

Sources:

Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchaso 11 footnote 20 (regarding muktzah for frozen meat).

See Shulchan Aruch Admur Hazaken (O.C. 320:16, 17, 19).

להעיר ממחלוקת אחרונים אם מותר להניח על השולחן לא כנגד החמה. וכמה ראיות לקולא. ולהעיר שברוצה להקר ה״ז גם כמקום הצורך – ראה אדה״ז שיט, כז. וראה אצלנו במ״מ להלכה יומית אות תמח.

אבל במקום שרוצה ומכוון להמיס יש להחמיר.

יש שכתבו שאין איסור בחלב – שש״כ י, ה הע׳ יח. וכבר חלקו רבים וטובים ע״פ סתימת הפוסקים.

 

 

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