Moving food around on a blech

Hi,

If fully cooked food is already atop a blech which covers a heating element on Shabbat, and it is hot, one may move it laterally from a spot which is not actually over the heating element to a spot which is directly over the heating element.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Stirring the pot, Part II

Hi,

We have said that one may not stir a pot of fully cooked food which is atop a heating element on Shabbat, lest one think the food is cooked when it is not.

If the pot of fully cooked food is atop a blech [a layer of material covering a heating element], in a spot which is not over the heating element but only adjacent to it, then one may stir the pot.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Stirring the pot, Part I

Hi,

Stirring a pot of fully cooked food, which is atop a heating element, is prohibited rabbinically on Shabbat. Although it is biblically permitted, the Sages forbade it lest one think the food is cooked when it is not, and so violate a biblical law.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Re-heating a mostly-solid food on Shabbat

Hi,

A solid which has been cooked is said to remain cooked even after it cools, such that one may re-heat it on Shabbat without concern for a new act of cooking [assuming all other halachic concerns, such as the appearance of cooking, are addressed]. Regarding liquids which have been cooked and which have then cooled, though, there is significant doubt, and we rule strictly to prohibit re-heating.

Regarding a food which is mostly solid, but which contains some liquid, the sources are unclear. Therefore, one may not re-heat such a mixture, other than in very extenuating circumstances.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:7)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Folding a tallis on Shabbos

Hi,

May I fold my tallis after davening on Shabbos morning?

There are three halachic concerns related to folding one's tallis:
• Folding fabric is a way to maintain its clean, crisp look, and can be a form of the forbidden melachah of melaben (whitening).
• If folding improves the tallis, making it more usable, then one could be liable for metaken (making an item functional).
• Since the next use of the tallis will be after this Shabbos, one could be liable for hachanah (preparation for after Shabbos), even if the next use will also be on a Shabbos.

Some authorities are lenient, contending that folding a tallis does not improve it and is not on the level of "cleaning". Others recommend folding the tallis off of the normal crease, to avoid improving it.

The Maharil, an early Ashkenazi authority, folded his tallis right after Shabbos. This practice is laudable, as it begins the week with a mitzvah and with preparation for the next Shabbos.

(Tosafos Shabbos 113a mekaplim; Magen Avraham 300: hakdamah; R' Akiva Eiger on Magen Avraham 302:6; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 302:12; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 15:45; Az Nidbiru 7:88, 8:27; Badei haShulchan 4:117:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Smoothing food on Shabbat

Hi,

May I smoothen the surface of a serving of food, i.e. chopped liver or tuna, on Shabbat?

One possible concern is the prohibited act of smoothing, but this only applies to food which is normally smoothed in order to beautify it. Another possible concern is construction, but that is relevant only when creating a particular structure or shape. A third concern is the prohibition against creating a pile of smaller items, but that is relevant only when causing the particles to adhere, and even less of a concern regarding entities which don't grow from the ground.

Therefore, it appears that one may smoothen the surface, so long as he does not aim to create a particular shape or primarily for the sake of beautification. A prohibited example would be a case of spreading icing.

(Rama Orach Chaim 321:19; Shulchan Aruch haRav 340:15; Biur Halachah 321 b'maachal; Mishneh Berurah 321:81-82; Minchat Shabbat 80:99; Badei haShulchan 146:12; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 11:1, 11:11, 11:14; Mishneh Halachot 11:285)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Salting hot food on Friday night

Hi,

One may not add salt to hot food which is in a vessel which had been on a fire [kli rishon], but once that food is placed into a new receptacle, one may add salt.

In truth, it may be argued that salt is not cooked even in a kli rishon, but we are strict regarding that circumstance.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Putting ketchup on hot food on Friday night

Hi,

There is a view suggesting that hot solid food, which was heated directly over a flame - like roast heated up in an oven before Shabbos - has the status of a kli rishon even after it is removed from the flame, as long as it retains its heat.

Further, there is a view suggesting that liquids which have already been cooked may not be re-heated on Shabbat, as this would be considered a new act of cooking.

However, one may pour ketchup on solid food which was heated directly over a flame and then removed, on Shabbat. Ketchup is considered a liquid, and we do not combine the two strict views mentioned above, to prohibit this; each view is subject to dispute.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying in a room with an idol

Hi,

May I pray in a room which contains a symbol of idolatry?

When Moshe wished to pray to G-d to end the plague of Hail, he left the city; a midrash in the Mechilta explains that Moshe did not wish to pray in Egypt, with its proliferation of idols. Beyond this midrash, we are concerned lest we appear, G-d forbid, to be praying to the idol or its symbol. Therefore, one should not pray in a space which contains symbols of idolatry.

One who has no other option, such a patient in a hospital room containing such symbols, may pray in such a space; he should endeavour to demonstrate, perhaps via his posture, that he is not praying to the idol. Note that not all religious emblems are considered "symbols of avodah zarah"; a competent halachic authority should be consulted.

The same rules pertain to Torah study in such a space.

(Rashi Shemot 12:1; Terumas haDeshen 1:6; Melamed l'Hoil 2:54; Chelkas Yaakov Orach Chaim 33; Siach Yitzchak 45; Tzitz Eliezer 12:15)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

What is "yad soledet bo"?

Hi,

In kashrut and Shabbat, we say that food undergoes some level of cooking, and taste is absorbed, at a temperature called "yad soledet bo". Literally, this describes a temperature at which "one's hand would be scalded", such that one would pull his hand back from [unanticipated] exposure to that level of heat [Rashi Shabbat 40b]. What is this temperature, though?

Rav Moshe Feinstein tested this, and determined a lower bound of 43 degrees Celsius / 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and an upper bound of 71 degrees Celsius / 160 degrees Fahrenheit. In between is doubtful, and halachic rulings will depend on the issue involved.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Hot liquid on Shabbat

Hi,

We generally rule that one may not heat liquids on Shabbat above approximately 113 degrees (Fahrenheit), even if they have been heated to that level before. There is a leniency, though, for liquids which have not cooled off entirely.

According to Rav Moshe Feinstein, the standard for "not cooled off entirely" is that people who want to drink a hot drink would consider this hot enough for their purposes.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Blank paper on Shabbat

Hi,

Classically, blank paper was viewed as muktzeh on Shabbat, because it was valuable and people were concerned about its potential damage. Blank paper remains muktzeh today, despite its decrease in value, for it is dedicated for use as a writing material, and no one disposes of blank paper without cause.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:72)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Omitting Shabbos or Yom Tov in the amidah

Hi,

On Shabbat which is also Yom Tov, one who recites the amidah and forgets the Yom Tov component should repeat the amidah, including both.

One who repeats the amidah and remembers Yom Tov, but forgets Shabbat, has fulfilled his obligation, since the initial amidah did count for Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:13)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tearing K'riah when seeing Jerusalem?

Hi,

One tears "k'riah" when seeing the Temple Mount, or any city of Judea, which is now under non-Jewish control, even if it is built up nicely. One would not tear upon seeing sections of Jerusalem which are under Jewish control and built up nicely.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A full cup

Hi,

When a mitzvah requires a blessing on a cup of wine, such as Sheva Berachot, we require that the cup be filled to the top.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:10)

[I sense that "full" is defined based on whether people who see it call it "full", rather than a particular measure of distance from the top, but I cannot prove this.]

Have a great day,
Mordechai

When to say "Brich Shmeih"

Hi,

["Brich Shmeih" is an Aramaic passage identified in the Zohar for recital when removing the Torah from the Ark.]

There are no clear sources requiring one to say "Brich Shmeih" only after the Torah is removed, although this is specified in the halachic work Shaarei Ephraim. Further, this specification may be seen in the Zohar's language. Therefore, this is the recommendation we should provide to those who ask, but one should not protest against those who recite it earlier.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Three steps back

Hi,

The sh'liach tzibbur (chazan) takes three steps back after the private amidah, even though the primary purpose of this amidah is simply to prepare for the public amidah he about to recite. There is no prayer without these three steps.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Pole-less Chuppah

Hi,

Although the classic definition of a wedding "chuppah" includes a covering material supported by poles, in the absence of poles one may have people hold the cover directly. Normally, though, one should follow the customary construction, as described in Rama Even haEzer 55:1.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:7)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A Shabbat alarm clock

Hi,

One may not set an alarm clock to wake him up on Shabbat morning if the sound will be heard beyond his room, and certainly his house. People normally set their alarms on the previous night, and so those who hear the sound will assume he set the alarm on Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:6)

[Yes, this does raise questions in related cases, such as an afternoon alarm, or an alarm which will be heard outside one's room but only by those who know it was set before Shabbat.]

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Prayer in the language one understands

Hi,

One who does not understand the Hebrew amidah should use a proper translation, rather than simply create his own prayer.

[Note: This is separate from one's ability to add afterward; it is simply the minimum.]

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Menorah in a dorm

Hi,

When students sleep in set dorm rooms, and eat in a communal cafeteria, menorah should be lit in the dorm rooms. The students don't have any 'ownership' of the cafeteria space.

[Note: This responsum does not address fire safety issues.]

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Cleaning up from Seudah Shlishit

Hi,

If the table in the synagogue, on which Seudah Shlishit is eaten, is needed for maariv, then one may clean it before maariv. Otherwise, it should not be cleaned until after Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Speaking before the mavdil drinks

Hi,

One who hears Havdalah recited by someone else should not speak until someone drinks the appropriate amount from the cup, although it is possible that one who does interrupt still has fulfilled his obligation.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Beginning seudah shlishit after sunset

Hi,

One should not begin a meal, even the mitzvah meal of seudah shlishit, after sunset on Shabbat afternoon. There is leeway for several minutes, though, for one who has not yet fulfilled the mitzvah of seudah shlishit; opinions vary regarding how much time one has. [See Mishneh Berurah 299:1 and this responsum of Rav Moshe Feinstein.]

One who begins after the permitted time should not be included in the 10 needed for a mezuman invoking Gd's Name. [I believe he would respond to the mezuman, though. - MT]

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:69:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A succah constructed on Shabbat

Hi,

One may not use a succah which was constructed by Jews on Shabbat, even if no other succah is available.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:69:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai