If the blech falls off

Hi,

If a blech (see previous posts for a definition) falls off the burner, one may put it back in place, if:

1. It is not entirely off, and
2. Putting it back in place would not cause any part of the metal to be heated to the point of glowing.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 29-30)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Warming food in an oven on Shabbat

Hi,

Under certain circumstances, one may return fully cooked food to a covered stove on Shabbat. The cover is called a "blech".

For an oven, the equivalent of a blech is a box which is closed on all sides, in which the food is placed.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 26-27)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Blech on a gas stove

Hi,

Even if a gas burner is entirely open, such that the flame could not be raised, it must be covered if one wishes to leave food on the burner from before Shabbat. This is for several reasons, including:

1. We do not distinguish between burners which could and could not be raised, and
2. One might accidentally lower the flame and then raise it later.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 25)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Playing with Lego on Shabbat

Hi,

May one play with LEGO^TM or K'NEX^TM on Shabbat?

Two potential concerns arise regarding assembling parts into structures: boneh (construction) and metaken mana (improving an implement).

Halachic authorities offer two reasons for leniency in use of these toys:
• Neither strength nor craftsmanship is ever involved in attaching the pieces to each other, and we have halachic precedent to permit assembling usable entities from distinct parts, where neither strength nor craftsmanship is involved.
• The items created are not normally left intact for more than a few days; according to many authorities, even something which lasts for a week is not considered "permanent".

Based on these two reasons for leniency, authorities permit children to play with these toys, but some recommend against adults using them. Rav Moshe Feinstein prohibited blocks used in construction, even for children, but the type of toy involved is unclear.

(Rashi Beitzah 32b binyan arai; Pri Megadim 315:1; Mishneh Berurah 313:45; Yesodei Yeshurun 4:99; Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:22:27; Be'er Moshe 6:25; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 16: footenote 53; Tzitz Eliezer 13:30)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Placing a siddur atop a chumash

Hi,

May I elevate a siddur by putting a siddur or chumash beneath it, to aid my davening?

One may never place a siddur or gemara atop a chumash; one may not even place a book of navi (Prophets) atop a chumash. This applies even when doing so temporarily, as in the case of cleaning up a room. [Inclusion in the same bound volume is acceptable according to most authorities, though.]

The above applies even if one stacks these books to enable davening. Even using one siddur to elevate another siddur is prohibited, for this is a function more suited to a block of wood or similar object. Similarly, one may not use a siddur as a bookmark for another siddur.

We treat our sifrei kodesh [sacred texts] with honour, and so give honour to the Torah they contain.

(Megilah 27a; Machzor Vitry 427; Tosafot Bava Batra 13b madbik; Sefer Chasidim 141; Derishah Yoreh Deah 282:5; Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 282:19; Taz Yoreh Deah 282:13; Pischei Teshuvah Yoreh Deah 282:17; Mishneh Halachos 12:216)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Maachal ben Drusai, for water

Hi,

One must cook food to the stage of "maachal Ben Drusai" before Shabbat, in order to be allowed to leave it on a flame into Shabbat. "Maachal ben Drusai" is the stage of minimum edibility, generally gauged by halachic authorities as 1/3 or 1/2 of "full cooking". At this point, there is reduced concern that one might turn up the flame on Shabbat to speed up the food's cooking.

Regarding heating water, "maachal Ben Drusai" of 1/3 is when water reaches "yad soledet bo"; 1/2 is when it is slightly hotter. Full cooking is when it is bubbling hard.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:Bishul 24)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A Shabbat kettle

Hi,

There is no need for any sort of blech for an electric kettle which heats water at a fixed, non-adjustable temperature.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:22)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai