What
have we learned so far with regards to chazora (returning
food to a heat source)?
In the
previous shiur we learned that if one wishes to return food
to the heat source three rules must be complied with.
#1
– The food or liquid (soup etc.) must be fully cooked.
#2
– The food or liquid must be yad soledes bo,
according to the Mechaber and warm according to the
Rama.
#3
– The heat source must be covered. Consequently, food or
liquid may be returned to a Shabbos hotplate or to a heat
source that is covered with a blech.
The reason
for the first two rules is to avoid the prohibition of
bishul (cooking), because if the food is not fully
cooked, when returned to the heat source it will cook
further. In addition, liquid that has cooled down is subject
to bishul.
Cold soup may not be returned to
the heat source, but what about returning cold solids?
The rule is
that apropos the prohibition of bishul,
(cooking) liquids that have cooled down are subject to
bishul, whereas fully cooked solids that have cooled
down are not.
It would therefore seem that one may return cold solids to a
hotplate or blech (provided that the other conditions
of chazora are met). Yet we do find a machlokes
in the matter.
The
Magen Avraham holds
that one may not return anything that has cooled down,
including solids. This position is supported by Rav Moshe
Feinstein.
However,
the Bi’ur Halacha cites the Vilna Ga’on
who holds that one may return a cold solid and he
seems to support this position.
One should
ask one’s rav as to the correct conduct on Shabbos.
What are the other rules for
chazora?
It is
evident from the Shulchan Aruch that one may not
place food directly onto a blech unless it is being
returned. The reason is to avoid the problem of
mechzi kimvashel – it appears as if one is cooking
and not returning.
Consequently, if the pot of food was removed from the heat
source and placed on the floor, were one to return it to the
heat source (a blech or hotplate) it would appear as if it
is being placed there for the first time on Shabbos. Placing
on the floor demonstrates that one has disassociated the pot
from the fire and it may not be returned.
We can
compare this to placing food in the refrigerator. The host
removed the chicken from the blech, served it and placed the
dish containing the remainder in the refrigerator. This
obviously shows that there is no intention to return the
dish to the fire. Subsequently regretting this action, the
host wishes to return the food to the fire. Chazal
tell us that this is analogous to placing it on the blech or
hotplate for the first time and is ossur.
The
Mechaber therefore holds that if the food or liquid was
placed on the floor (or in the refrigerator) it may not be
returned to the fire even if the other conditions are met.
What if the food was placed on the
counter?
The
Mechaber holds that if food was placed on the floor it
may not be returned but when placed on a chair or counter,
since it is not a total siluk (removal from the fire)
it may be returned to the fire.
The Rama
however holds that one must continue holding the pot of food
or liquids until returned to the fire. This demonstrates
that it was never disassociated from the fire and there was
continual intent to return it.
How can I serve food from the pot
if I must continuously hold it?
You need
not hold it in the air, rather you may place it on a counter
or table, making sure to continuously hold it with one hand
and serve with the other. When you are done serving you may
return it to the blech or hotplate.
Rule #4 –
According to the Mechaber one must not place the pot of food
onto the floor (or in the refrigerator) and according to the
Rama one should continuously hold the pot until returned.
And the last rule?
The Rama
adds that one must intend returning the food to the
fire. This rule is not associated with the prohibition of
bishul, because intending or not will not alter the
status of the food, but intention will determine whether one
is returning food to the fire or placing it there for the
first time. We want to avoid the problem of mechzi
kimvashel.
The
Mechaber omitted this requirement.
Rule #5 –
One must have intention to return the pot of food or liquid
to the fire.
Summary:
#1 – Food
fully cooked.
#2 – Food
not cooled down.
#3 – Fire
covered with a blech or a Shabbos hotplate.
#4 – Pot of
food continuously held.
#5 –
Intention to return.
