Shehiya: Difference between revisions

== Different types of cooking appliances==

# A Kirah was a stove in the times of the Gemara which that had room to hold two pots on top (with the heating element below).<ref> See copy of paper by Rabbi Brand for a detailed description of the different types of "stoves" used in the ancient world: http://www.the-daf.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Earthenware-Vessels-Kupach-Kira-and-Tanur-Brand.pdf</ref> The Kirah is considered the most lenient of the stoves and it’s permissible to leave food on it on [[Shabbat]] by fulfilling one of five conditions: 1) The fire is covered 2) The food is considered totally cooked 3) The food is totally raw 4) The coals are removed 5) The fuel is straw, stubble or the like (which will be discussed below at length). <ref> S”A 253:1 writes that a Kirah has the resemblance of a large pot and has room for two pots. The five leniencies listed are all sourced in S”A 253:1 but will be discussed below at length. See Laws of [[Shabbat]] (Rabbi Shimon Eider; vol 4 pg 326) for a description and pictures. </ref>

==Covering the fire==

* Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:93, Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 7:17(3), Sh”t Bear Moshe vol 7, and Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 96) add that besides covering the flame it’s preferable to cover the knobs also. Orchot [[Shabbat]] (vol 1 2:9, pg 65) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Elyashiv (who is also quoted by Hilchot [[Shabbat]] Be[[Shabbat]]o pg 197) who hold that a covering of the knobs isn’t necessary if the fire is covered.  </ref>

# Some consider a hotplate or Plaata a covered fire and consider it an uncovered fire. <ref> *Reasons to forbid a Plaata: 1) Sh”t Yaskil LeAvdi O”C 5:34, 6:15 is lenient by a covered stove since the cover is a separate piece but a Plaata is entirely like a coal and there’s nothing covering it (S”A 253:1 rules that one can’t do Shehiya with something directly touching the coals). *2) Sh”t Yaskil Avdi ibid. adds that there’s an issue that one may come to plug it in because it’s so easy unlike lighting a flame anew which the Rabbi’s didn’t make a Gezerah because it requires preparation and by that time one will remember it’s [[Shabbat]]. [Later on, he retracted because the Minhag was to use it, see Sh”t Yaskil LeAvdi O”C 7:28(8).] Arguments to permit a Plaata: *1) Chazon Ovadyah ([[Shabbat]] 1 pg 52) argues on the first reason because by a Plaata the heat comes from electric current under the metal sheet and so it’s like a covered flame. *2) Chazon Ovadyah and Netivei Am (pg 120-1) argue on the second reason, based on Sh”t Maharam Provinsal 46, and Birkei Yosef 339:7 who write that there’s no Gezerah of coming to write by composing a song as there’s a Gezerah by doing a business transaction because it may come to writing because we don’t extend the Gezerah of the Rabbis on what they didn’t just because it’s easy to come to do a Melacha. [Similarly, Rosh ([[Shabbat]] 24a), Magid Mishna (Chol HaMoad 5:20), Sh”t Rivash 390 in name of Ran, Radvaz (Trumot 1:22; Sh”t Radvaz 1:149), and Bet Yosef (O”C 462) say that nowadays the Rabbis can’t enact new Gezerah’s not enacted by Chazal.] *3) Chazon Ovadyah explains that it should be permissible since a flame is consistent (unlike coals that flicker) and the heat can’t be changed. This reason is also found is Gedolei Tzion 9:11, Mishna Brurah (Buir Halacha 253:1 D”H Afilu), Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 7:16(3), Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 1:25, and Rav Yosef Kapach (commentary on Rambam [[Shabbat]] 3 pg 74).  

* However, Orchot [[Shabbat]] (2:13, vol 1 pg 66) and Otzrot Ha[[Shabbat]] (pg 100) quotes Rav Elyashiv who requires a covering of thick aluminum even on a Plaata which one can’t change its temperature. </ref>

# An oven is considered an uncovered fire unless one places a metal 4 sided box into the oven to interpose between the walls and the pot of food to serve as a reminder and some disagree holding that it’s an uncovered fire under all circumstances. <Ref>

*Magan Avraham 253:31 permits Shehiya in an oven because the fire is covered by a cement or clay wall built into the oven based on the S”A 253:3 who permits leaving on the fire if there’s an empty vessel separating between the fire and the food. However, the Magan Avraham adds that based on the Maharil (Minhagei Maharil pg 36; see 318:15), Agudah, and Tashbetz 27 the flame must have some interposition such a wooden plank that serves as a reminder besides being covered by metal. The Achronim unanimously agree including Eliyah Rabba 253:31, Tosefet [[Shabbat]] 253:40, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 253:26, Aruch HaShulchan 253:25, Mishna Brurah 253:81, and Chazon Ovadyah ([[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 50).  

* Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:74:26 considers a modern day oven to be considered like a Kirah.  

* However, the Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak 3:28(1) writes that an oven has the status of an uncovered fire even if there metal interposition based on Chazon Ish 37:11 who holds that an empty pot isn’t considered a covering (see above where many disagree with the Chazon Ish).  

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