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A HALACHA LEMAASE PUBLICATION
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HILCHOT YOM TOV
SUMMARY:
If one avoids the following prohibitions, it is technically permissible to swim on Shabbat and Yom
Tov:
Exercising to sweat
Swimming in a body of water without walls, like a river
Squeezing water from ones hair
Intentionally wiping oneself to remove hair
Wearing clothing not designated to become wet (unlike a bathing suit)
On Shabbat, swimming in hot water. On Yom Tov, swimming in hot water that was heated
on Yom Tov itself.
Carrying water into public property
Nevertheless, due to the many potential prohibitions involved, Rav Yitzchak Yosef rules it is
preferable not to swim on Shabbat or Yom Tov.
ENDNOTES
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COOKING WITH MODERN APPLIANCES
By Sammy Banilivy
Tov. There are, however, certain temperature of such stoves and
The Torah in Sefer Shemot1 when situations when doing so may be ovens may be turned up for
speaking about the holiday of permitted for cooking purposes. If cooking purposes because doing
Pesach tells us " the food is cooking on a gas fire so does not ignite a new flame but
." The and, because the flame is too rather extends an existing one.
Torah permits Havara (kindling a high, the food will burn, one would The temperature may be turned
fire) on Yom Tov. However, Chazal be permitted to lower the flame. down only if one is using the flame
forbid creating fire from scratch However, some Poskim rule that to cook food and the food will
on Yom Tov. Thus, when we light this leniency applies only when a burn, as explained above.
something on Yom Tov, we light it different flame is not available or
Category 2:
from a preexisting flame. The cannot be ignited in a permissible
Halacha forbids, however, manner.7 Others disagree and rule Electronic Ignition system. The
burning incense on Yom Tov.2 that lowering the flame to prevent basic principle is that they use a
food from burning is permissible thermostat to send power to an
Why is incense burning not even if an alternative flame is igniter. Power flows through the
permitted on Yom Tov? available.8 It should be noted that igniter which heats to a glow or
there are Sephardic poskim9 that creates sparks and a flame. Gas is
The reason is that the Halacha permit turning off the flame of a then allowed to flow to the burner.
does not permit burning that is not Gas appliance in a situation of In these cases, electricity is
Shaveh LeChol Nefesh, need using alternative methods. involved only in creating the initial
something that is not customarily
flame but not thereafter. This is the
enjoyed by all. Food, as opposed How does one turn off a gas common mechanism of gas
to incense, does fall under this stove? A pot should be filled with stoves.
category. Burning incense is water and placed on the fire until
regarded as exotic and is not It follows, therefore, that it is
it boils and by doing so, the water
included in the permission of forbidden to turn on this flame on
will overflow and spill onto the fire,
Havara on Yom Tov. Yom Tov. However, if the initial
thereby extinguishing it. After the
flame was ignited before Yom
Creating a Fire flame is extinguished, one can
Tov, temperature control could be
then turn off the stove to prevent
On Yom Tov it is forbidden to ignite governed by the same principles
gas from leaking into the house.
a new flame/fire in any manner. as the first category.
One may not strike a match or Gas Stoves and Ovens
In other cases, common in
turn on an electric flame or light.3,4 Category 1: modern day ovens, power must
Transferring from an existing flame continually flow through the
Pilot ignition system. This category
igniter for gas to be released into
Under most circumstances it is includes stoves and ovens that
the oven burner to create a
permitted to transfer a fire for a operate using a functional gas
flame. Once the set temperature
Yom Tov purpose,5 as long as the flame (pilot light) that is on all the
is achieved, the control stops all
transfer falls under the category of time. Such stoves and ovens are
power to the ignition circuit that
something that is , commonly used in caterers
causes the igniter to turn off,
which includes cooking. For kitchens. Many older stoves and
stopping any burner flame.
example, it is permitted to transfer ovens also work on this type of
Cycling on and off continues to
a fire from a pre-lit Yaartzeit system. This system maintains a fire
maintain the specific temperature
candle to a barbeque grill. that stays lit all the time and when
the control is set for. One would
the oven thermostat is turned up,
On the other hand, it is not be able to turn on or adjust the
a gas flow is sent to the stove or
generally forbidden to extinguish temperature on Yom Tov as it
oven burner where the pilot flame
or even to lower6 a flame on Yom involves starting or stopping the
ignites the gas. Therefore, the
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flow of electricity. aforementioned issues may be Miscellaneous Appliance
circumvented by calling an Concerns
Electric Stoves and Ovens
electrician to install an indicator
There are a few more significant
Electric stoves and ovens use a light which turns on when there is
concerns pertaining to modern
thermostat to control the flow of a flow Similarly, when the light is
day appliances that use
electricity to the element. The way off, the temperature may be
electricity. Firstly, when oven doors
it works is that a higher lowered because it does not stop
are opened there is an immediate
temperature reading enables the the electric flow, rather, it simply
cooling of the internal oven
electric current for a longer period extends the duration of the down
temperature. This can cause the
before going off and then on time. of electricity to the burner
electric current to start again to
again when the thermostat senses and off when the flow stops. Many
properly re-heat the oven.
that the temperature has lowered of the older ovens were already
Similarly, when an oven door is
beneath the desired reading. In built with this kind of indicator light
closed, the sudden preservation
simpler terms, changes to the near the controls. When the light is
of heat may cause the electric
temperature reading on an on, the temperature may be
current to stop. There is a debate
electric appliance causes a start raised because turning the dial
in the Poskim on this matter, with a
and stop of the flow of electricity. does not start an electric flow,
large amount leaning towards it
Since adjusting the temperature Similarly, when the light is off, the
not being a concern.10
involves starting or stopping the temperature may be lowered
Furthermore, many ovens
flow of electricity/current, because it does not stop the
incorporate digital controls to
adjusting the temperature is electric flow, rather, it simply
increase and decrease
forbidden on Yom Tov. extends the duration of the down
temperature instead of the older
time. Rather, it simply ensures a
Electric Indicator Lights mechanical controls. IT IS
greater duration of the existing
PHROHIBITED TO USE DIGITAL
If you are using a mechanical flow.
CONTROLS ON SHABBAT AND
electric oven or stove, some of the YOM TOV.
SUMMARY
Gas Stove/Oven- Only if previously turned on, it is permissible to raise and lower the temperature.
When lowering a Gas stove, please refer to instructions discussed above.
Electric Stove/ Oven- Even if previously turned on, it is prohibited to raise or lower the temperature
because by doing so you are starting and stopping the flow of electricity.
ENDNOTES
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6
CLAPPING & DANCING ON YOM TOV
By Elie Sadik
Permissible Forms of Clapping the context of music and singing.
Background and Dancing). The Chachamim did not apply
these restrictions to Simchat Torah.
The Mishna in Beitzah (36b) Shulchan Aruch and Psak
explicitly states that one may not Halacha Practical Applications of the
clap (metapchin), slap ones Aforementioned Prohibitions
thigh (mesapkin), or dance Maran in Shulchan Aruch (Orach
(merakdin) on Shabbat and Yom Chaim siman 339, 3) rules like the As mentioned above, the
Tov. The Gemara explains that the previously quoted Mishna: it is prohibition to clap, snap ones
Chachamim instituted this forbidden to clap, slap ones fingers, and slap ones thigh only
prohibition because they feared thigh, or dance on Shabbat and applies in the context of singing
one may inadvertently build or fix Yom Tov. He also asserts that one and music. However, if one is
a musical instrument while may not bang ones hand/finger doing so for other reasons, it is
engrossed in these actions, on a table/floor; similarly, it is permissible to do so. The following
violating the melacha of makeh forbidden to snap ones fingers. Halachot reflect this rule.
bepatish (see Rashi here and Nevertheless, he adds, one may
Shabbat 47a). The Ohr Zarua clap in an abnormal manner, It is forbidden to clap (in the
(quoted in the hagah in the Rosh) such as clapping with the back of context of music or singing), slap
defines dancing as lifting ones ones hand (based on Rambam ones thigh (in the context of
foot in the air while the other foot Hilchot Shabbat, perek 23 music or singing), or dance on
stays on the ground. See below for halacha 5). However, the Rama Shabbat and Yom Tov.
a practical application of this here states that according to
idea. some opinions (Tosafot quoted It is forbidden to bang on a table
above) it is permissible to clap, with a utensil (such as a spoon or
However, Tosafot (Beitzah 30a) slap ones thigh, and dance, and fork) to a beat or song (Yalkut
asserts that this Rabbinic many rely on this opinion. The Yosef Shabbat Part 5, page 68).
prohibition only applied in the Rama quotes this opinion as
times of the Chachamim, where some say (yesh omrim), One may not snap ones fingers to
people were acquainted with implying that he himself does not a song or beat (Shulchan Aruch,
building musical instruments. rule accordingly. Orach Chaim siman 339, 3).
Therefore, since we are no longer
familiar with building these Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Yalkut Yosef Permissible Forms of Clapping and
instruments, it is permissible to clap Shabbat Part 5, page 84), current Dancing
(in a musical manner), slap ones Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel
thigh (in a musical manner), and and son of Rav Ovadia Yosef ZTL, As a general rule, any form of
dance on Shabbat on Yom Tov. rules like Maran in Shulchan Aruch. clapping, snapping ones fingers,
Therefore, it is forbidden to clap (in or slapping ones thigh is
It is important to note that the context of music or singing), permissible if they are not done in
previously mentioned prohibition slap ones thigh (in the context of the context of music or singing.
to clap and slap ones thigh music or singing), or dance on The following Halachot reflect this
specifically applies in the context Shabbat and Yom Tov. rule:
of music or singing. If one is doing
so for other reasons, such as However, according to all It is permissible to clap if one is
applauding in response to an opinions, it is permissible to clap, applauding, as oppose to
inspiring Dvar Torah, it is permitted slap ones thigh and dance on clapping to a beat or a song.
to do so (see the section below Simchat Torah (Mishna Berurah Similarly, it is permissible to clap to
Siman 339, seif katan 8), even in get another persons attention or
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to wake somebody up (Yalkut ones intention is to silence a circle (Yalkut Yosef Shabbat Part
Yosef Shabbat Part 5, pages 67- crowd (Yalkut Yosef Shabbat Part 5, page 86). Based on the Ohr
69). 5, page 68). Zarua mentioned in the
introduction, this phenomenon is
The same halachot apply to One may clap in an abnormal not considered dancing.
snapping. One may not snap to a manner, such as clapping with the
beat or song, but one may snap back of ones hand (Shulchan It is permissible to clap (in a
for other reasons, such as getting Aruch, Orach Chaim siman 339, musical manner), slap ones thigh
another persons attention (Yalkut 3). (in a musical manner), and dance
Yosef Shabbat Part 5, page 70). on Simchat Torah (Mishna Berurah
It is permissible to circle dance Siman 339, seif katan 8).
One may bang on a table with a on Shabbat and Yom Tov, where
utensil (such as a spoon or fork) if people hold hands and walk in a
"-
SUMMARY
Water that was heated on Shabbat may not be used at all. Water that was heated before
Shabbat may be used to wash ones arms, legs and face (or other individual body parts, like ones
underarms). One may not take a full-body hot shower on Shabbat.
Water that was heated on Yom Tov may be used to wash ones arms, legs and face, but not
ones whole body.
Water that was heated before Yom Tov may be used to take a full-body hot shower.
Water that was heated on the first day of Yom Tov may be used on the second day of Yom Tov
(for any holiday other than Rosh Hashana) to take a full-body hot shower.
One may shower in lukewarm water, which is slightly cooler than the temperature that is usually
used to shower (slightly below body temperature).
One may use soap and shampoo when showering on Yom Tov. However, one may not use a
towel to dry ones hair on Yom Tov and must instead let it air-dry.
ENDNOTES
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Rav Moshe Feinstein11 suggests Zeiah. According to Rav Moshe's problem if a pot is covered. In
a leniency even if the Zeiah approach, one may say that the addition, Rav Moshe (as
emerging from solid foods is Gemara is speaking of a situation mentioned previously) rules that
considered Halachically where the meat did not emit one should be concerned that
significant. He dissects from the steam, and therefore the Talmud solid food emits Zeiah only if one is
language of Rama12 that one makes no mention of Zeiah. Rav aware that it has done so.
does not have to assume that Moshe also indicates that one
Zeiah emerges from solid foods as may cook milk and meat
one must when dealing with liquid consecutively in one oven if either
foods. Only when we see that the milk or meat pots are covered.
solid food emits steam do we This is based on the Rama13, who
have to be concerned with states Zeiah does not constitute a
SUMMARY
One should strive to have and use separate ovens for meat and dairy in their residences. But, with
regards to our modern-day ovens, in cases of NEED, meat and milk may be used consecutively if the
following is done:
1. Covering the items with at least 1 or 2 coverings
2. The roof of the oven is cleaned/wiped off thoroughly before usage to take away any concerns
residue.
11 12 13
13
Elie Sadik is currently studying in the Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel under the
guidance of Harav Hershel Shachter Shlita, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University.
A Los Angeles native, Elie received his degree in Biology from Yeshiva
University. He is currently studying for smicha under Harav Eliyahu Ben-Haim
Shlita, and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
For questions about this publication, or to contact the authors, please email:
SammyBanilivy@gmail.com
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