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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 1997 18:25:04 -0500
Subject: How Shabbath Melachas are Made:Cold Cream

Mark Feldman asks the basis for Rabbi Soloveitchick holding that
smoothing a paste is prohibited on Shabbath Biblically provided there is
a new surface created. This affords the opportunity to demonstrate the
methodology in analyzing the very complex world of Shabbath Melachas.

The first step is to list the essential attributes of the so called
FATHER prohibition. In this case (as Mark points out) the "Father
prohibition" is the prohibition of "ERASURE" (Say the erasure of ink
markings from wood). Erasure in turn seems to have 4 attributes:

1) It is created by a rubbing motion
2) It makes disappear an unwanted surface
3) It allows the emergence or appearance of a new surface
4) This new surface was an intrinsic part of the object(in fact covered
by the old surface)

I should hasten that different authorities may differ on the list of
essential attributes in any particular "FATHER" prohibition. The above
list are simply my own thoughts which seem to defend the Rav.

The "CHILDREN" prohibitions (which are prohibited Bibilically) are
simply prohibitions which have many of the attributes of the "FATHER"
but not necessarily all. Let us consider applying a "cream". We see that

1) The motion use to apply it "resembles" that of the "erasure" motion
2) It makes disappear an unwanted surface (by covering it up)
3) A new surface emerges (if the cream doesn't get absorbed)
4) Obviously this new surface is an addition and NOT an already existing
part of the old

Since ERASURE and APPLYING a CREAM resemble each other in 3 of the 4
attributes we say APPLYING a CREAM is a CHILD of the FATHER
erasure. Perhaps this was the Rav's reasoning.(Note:If the cream is
absorbed all we really have in common is 1) and maybe 2)..so that the
CHILD status does not happen)

As to Rav Brown's comments on absorption: 1st) The skin smoothness is a
new surface but comes after a while from physiological changes beneath
the skin (so it is not like erasure). Also Mark may want to check
Rambam, Property Damage, 13:12-13 where absorbed liquid is perceived as
smoothing a surface..the point with spit may be that it is a small
quantity).

I hope this small introduction clarifies this rich but intricate topic

Russell Hendel, PH.d,ASA, rhendel @ mcs drexel edu