Two issues: one is that the temptation will exist to wring
out a wet towel after use:
IF ONE BATHES IN THE [heated] WATER
OF A PIT OR IN
THE [hot spring] WATER OF TIBERIAS AND DRIES HIMSELF EVEN WITH TEN TOWELS, HE MUST NOT FETCH
THEM IN HIS HAND. BUT TEN MEN MAY DRY THEIR FACES, HANDS, AND FEET ON ONE TOWEL
AND FETCH IT IN THEIR HANDS
One person alone cannot carry towels, even if he uses many
which are each not very wet, because he will be tempted to wring it. But many if
even they use few towels and thus it will be very wet, will remind each other
not to!
And issue two is carrying towels in a public area on
Shabbat.
R. Simeon said: One may dry himself
with one towel and bring it home.
Rab Judah said in Samuel's name: A
person may dry himself with a towel and carry it home [wrapped round] his hand
That is, the towel needs to be worn like a garment, not
carried as a burden. And just to be clear:
R. Hiyya b. Abba said in R.
Johanan's name: The bath attendants may bring women's bathing clothes to the
baths, providing that they cover their heads and the greater part of their
bodies in them
There is a related ruling regarding the responsibility of billeting
foreign soldiers – which often involved doing menial labor for them – even on
Shabbat:
Raba said to the citizens of
Mahoza: When you carry the apparel of the [billeted] troops, let them drop
below your shoulders.
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