Q. What is Horav Shlomo Miller’s p’sak re baby-wipes on Shabbos? (And Yom Kippur?)
A. Contemporary Poskim present different opinions regarding baby-wipes, and they mostly depend on the nature and attributes of the wipes.
This question these days is of major interest to all, even for the ones that don’t take care of babies, since during these covid days, they are commonly used as cleaning and disinfecting tools.
Historically, Minchas Yitzchak (10: 25), (Shevet HaLevi 13: 59) and others have expressed stringent opinions. While, Chazon Ovadia (Shabbos 4) concludes that there is room for leniency as long as one is careful not to wipe hard so that no liquid is squeezed out. (See also Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 320: 38).
39 Melachos, (p. 352 and n. 137) mentions in the name of Mori Verabi Horav Moshe Feinstein zt’l an unusual reason for leniency. Namely, that since the majority of moisture rests on top of the wipe, as opposed to being absorbed inside it, therefore you are not squeezing any liquid when using it and no s’chita is involved. However, you may only use baby-wipes if they are very wet. 39 Melachos adds, that there is no melaben either, since the wipes are discarded.
Conversely, Sheilas Shlomo (3: 114), permits the use of baby-wipes when they are not very wet, since then there is less of a concern that liquid will be squeezed out.
There is disagreement also as to what the opinion of Horav S.Z. Auerbach zt’l was. Shemiras Shabbos K’, (14: n. 94) permits. While Orechos Shabbos (1, Birurei Halachah 7: 5), mention that after they showed him the description of experts on the nature of baby- wipes he changed his mind and ruled strictly.
See also question 1512 in regard to cleaning soft plastic tablecloths, and question 1007 on a patient cleaning himself after a bowel movement.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since the nature and attributes of the wipes varies greatly according to the brand and the latest technology, it is preferable to avoid using them on Shabbos or Yom Kippur, both for babies or grown ups.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a