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Tochen: Difference between revisions

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==Definition==
==Definition==
# The melacha is defined as the constructive reduction of a large singular entity into small parts whereby it serves a new purpose.<ref> Rambam Peirush HaMishnayot 7:2 </ref> Examples include chopping wood into small chips for a fire, shaving down a metal rod to form small strips or dicing vegetables to cook them.<ref> Rambam Shabbos 8:15 </ref>
# There is a biblical violation of [[grinding]] when [[grinding]] wheat, barley, spices, spices, and the like. Similarly, it’s biblically forbidden to saw wood for the sawdust. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 3, pg 377) </ref>
# There is a biblical violation of [[grinding]] when [[grinding]] wheat, barley, spices, spices, and the like. Similarly, it’s biblically forbidden to saw wood for the sawdust. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 3, pg 377) </ref>
# The prohibition of Tochen ([[grinding]]) includes chopping, grating, crushing, mashing, shredding, or breaking something into small pieces. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:1 </ref>
# The prohibition of Tochen ([[grinding]]) includes chopping, grating, crushing, mashing, shredding, or breaking something into small pieces. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:1 </ref>
# Tochen also applies to non-foods for example it's forbidden to crush a clod of dirt, shave splinters off a piece of wood, sawing wood with intent for the dust. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:1 in the note, Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 3, pg 377) </ref>
# Tochen also applies to non-foods. For example it's forbidden to crush a clod of dirt, shave splinters off a piece of wood, sawing wood with intent for the dust. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:1 in the note, Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 3, pg 377) </ref>
==In the Mishkan==
# Tochen (grinding) was performed in the mishkan in the process of crushing herbs to make dyes.<ref> Rashi Shabbos 73a s.v. HaOfeh. See 39 Melochos (Rabbi Ribiat vol. 2, Zoreiah footnote 7) </ref>  
==Utensils designed for grinding==
==Utensils designed for grinding==
# Any tool which is designated for crushing or the like such as a mortar or a knife used only for dicing may not be used in any manner even if it doesn't involve any prohibition of Tochen. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:2</ref>
# Any tool which is designated for crushing or the like such as a mortar or a knife used only for dicing may not be used in any manner even if it doesn't involve any prohibition of Tochen. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:2, Sh”t Rivash 184</ref>
# One should not use an onion slicer (a machine which is made of a set of knifes that surrounds the onion and dices it). <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:3 [I'm not entirely clear about what an onion slicer is.] </ref>
# One should not use an onion slicer (a machine which is made of a set of knifes that surrounds the onion and dices it). <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:3 [I'm not entirely clear about what an onion slicer is.] </ref>
# A vegetable chopper (with blades fitted with springs on an axis) is forbidden since it chops vegetables thinly. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:3 </ref>
# A vegetable chopper (with blades fitted with springs on an axis) is forbidden since it chops vegetables thinly. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:3 </ref>
# An egg slicer (with equally spaced wires that slice the egg when pressed) is permitted. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:3 </ref>
# An egg slicer (with equally spaced wires that slice the egg when pressed) is permitted. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:3 </ref>
# A special cheese knife isn’t a utensil designated to be used for chopping finely. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:11 </ref>
# A special cheese knife isn’t a utensil designated to be used for chopping finely. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:11. See Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa (6 no. 9) citing R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach where he discusses that with a cheese grater there is an issur of uvdin d’chol even if one will eat the grated cheese immediately based on the Rivash 184. However, one can use a knife and even perhaps a special chopping knife if one will eat the food subsequently in the meal since cutting is not exactly like regular tochein, which is closer to grating or mashing.  </ref>
# One may cut bread in a machine (manual, non-electric) which cuts slices of bread. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:11 (note) </ref>
# One may cut bread in a machine (manual, non-electric) which cuts slices of bread. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:11 (note) </ref>
# It’s forbidden to grind coffee beans it a grinder meant for it. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 3, pg 377) </ref>
# It’s forbidden to grind coffee beans it a grinder meant for it. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 3, pg 377) </ref>
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# Fruits or vegetables which were cooked to the point that it's easy to crush may be crushed on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:9 </ref>
# Fruits or vegetables which were cooked to the point that it's easy to crush may be crushed on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:9 </ref>
# Potatoes or vegetables which were cooked may not be put through a strainer in order to puree it (as the strainer is designated for that purpose) but one is permitted to crush it with a fork (even the prongs) as long as it was cooked to the point that it's easy to crush. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:10 </ref>
# Potatoes or vegetables which were cooked may not be put through a strainer in order to puree it (as the strainer is designated for that purpose) but one is permitted to crush it with a fork (even the prongs) as long as it was cooked to the point that it's easy to crush. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:10 </ref>
==Pre-crushed food==
==Pre-crushed food==
# Food which was made from crushed particles may be crushed on [[Shabbat]] (not using a utensil designated for crushed but rather a regular knife) if one is going to eat it on [[Shabbat]]. For example, one may crush [[matza]], bread, crackers, chocolate, and sugar. <ref>The Rama 321:12 rules that it is permitted to crush up bread because the flour was already ground up when it was made. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:11 extends this to breaking up [[matza]], crackers, chocolate, and sugar.</ref>
# Food which was made from crushed particles may be crushed on [[Shabbat]] (not using a utensil designated for crushed but rather a regular knife) if one is going to eat it on [[Shabbat]]. For example, one may crush [[matza]], bread, crackers, chocolate, and sugar. <ref>The Rama 321:12 rules that it is permitted to crush up bread because the flour was already ground up when it was made. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:11 extends this to breaking up [[matza]], crackers, chocolate, and sugar.</ref>
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# Food which was crushed very well before [[Shabbat]] or on [[Shabbat]] in a permissible may may be further cut on [[Shabbat]] even in the normal fashion. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:12 </ref>
# Food which was crushed very well before [[Shabbat]] or on [[Shabbat]] in a permissible may may be further cut on [[Shabbat]] even in the normal fashion. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:12 </ref>
# One may pour hot water (even from a Kli Rishon) onto farina, rice porridge, or corn flour and mix it around even crushing the clump with a spoon. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:13 </ref>
# One may pour hot water (even from a Kli Rishon) onto farina, rice porridge, or corn flour and mix it around even crushing the clump with a spoon. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:13 </ref>
==Cooked fruits and vegetables==
==Cooked fruits and vegetables==
# There’s no prohibition of [[grinding]] concerning fruit or vegetables cooked to the extent that it’s soft and easy to mash such as jam. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:9 </ref>
# There’s no prohibition of [[grinding]] concerning fruit or vegetables cooked to the extent that it’s soft and easy to mash such as jam. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:9 </ref>
# One shouldn’t use a fork to mash a cooked fruit or vegetable unless it was partly crushed out of shape before or during the [[cooking]] and is easily mashed. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:10. Orchot [[Shabbat]] 1:5:9 </ref>
# One shouldn’t use a fork to mash a cooked fruit or vegetable unless it was partly crushed out of shape before or during the [[cooking]] and is easily mashed. <Ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:10. Orchot [[Shabbat]] 1:5:9 </ref>
# One shouldn’t use a strainer to puree or cream a cooked fruit or vegetable since the strainer has a designated purpose of being used to mash. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:10 </ref>
# One shouldn’t use a strainer to puree or cream a cooked fruit or vegetable since the strainer has a designated purpose of being used to mash. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 6:10 </ref>
==Foods which don't grow from the ground==
==Foods which don't grow from the ground==
# Even though there is an issue of tochen on non-food items as well as food items, foods that do not grow from the ground such as meat, eggs, and cheese are not subject to the prohibition as long as one plans on eating them that Shabbos.<ref> Gemara Shabbos 74b writes that one who grinds firewood into small pieces is chayav for tochen. Rambam Shabbos 7:5 includes metal as a tolada of tochen. The Minchat Chinuch (Musach Hashabbos Tochen 4) concludes based on the Rambam’s example that tochen applies to items which are not gidulei karka, and he adds that this is also the view of the Rashi (74b “Sheva”), who writes that there is a prohibition of tochen for clods of earth. However, the Pri Megadim (Mishbetzot Zahav 321:10) write that both dirt and metal may be considered gidulei karka. Shulchan Aruch Siman 321:9 based on Terumat Hadeshen 56 writes that one may cut cooked meat into very small pieces. Mishna Brura 321:31 explains that this is because it isn’t gidulei karka and therefore the prohibition doesn’t apply. Shemirat Shabbos KeHilchata 6:14 and Yalkut Yosef (Shabbos, vol 3, pg 391) extend this to eggs and cheese. Shoneh Halachot 321:24 quotes the Chazon Ish that one may not be lenient with things that do not grow in the ground unless the intention is to eat them immediately.<br/> </ref>
# Even though there is an issue of tochen on non-food items as well as food items, foods that do not grow from the ground such as meat, eggs, and cheese are not subject to the prohibition as long as one plans on eating them that Shabbos.<ref> Gemara Shabbos 74b writes that one who grinds firewood into small pieces is chayav for tochen. Rambam Shabbos 7:5 includes metal as a tolada of tochen. The Minchat Chinuch (Musach Hashabbos Tochen 4) concludes based on the Rambam’s example that tochen applies to items which are not gidulei karka, and he adds that this is also the view of the Rashi (74b “Sheva”), who writes that there is a prohibition of tochen for clods of earth. However, the Pri Megadim (Mishbetzot Zahav 321:10) write that both dirt and metal may be considered gidulei karka. Shulchan Aruch Siman 321:9 based on Terumat Hadeshen 56 writes that one may cut cooked meat into very small pieces. Mishna Brura 321:31 explains that this is because it isn’t gidulei karka and therefore the prohibition doesn’t apply. Shemirat Shabbos KeHilchata 6:14 and Yalkut Yosef (Shabbos, vol 3, pg 391) extend this to eggs and cheese. Shoneh Halachot 321:24 quotes the Chazon Ish that one may not be lenient with things that do not grow in the ground unless the intention is to eat them immediately.<br/> </ref>
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==Slicing==
==Slicing==
# There is a machloket amongst the poskim if the prohibition applies only if the food is being cut very small in all dimensions or if it even applies if one is slicing in one direction such as an egg or tomato.<ref> Rav Moshe Feinstein (Iggerot Moshe OC 4:74:Tochen 3) writes that slicing foods in one direction isn’t considered tochen because otherwise there would be no limit. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Sh”t Minchat Shlomo 91:13) also rules this way. On the other hand, Ketzot HaShulchan Siman 129 Badei HaShulchan 2 quotes that the Tzemach Tzedek was stringent. Additionally, Orchot Shabbos page 217 chapter 5:footnote 12 writes that Rav Elyashiv was stringent as well.<br/> </ref>
# There is a machloket amongst the poskim if the prohibition applies only if the food is being cut very small in all dimensions or if it even applies if one is slicing in one direction such as an egg or tomato.<ref> Rav Moshe Feinstein (Iggerot Moshe OC 4:74:Tochen 3) writes that slicing foods in one direction isn’t considered tochen because otherwise there would be no limit. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Sh”t Minchat Shlomo 91:13) also rules this way. On the other hand, Ketzot HaShulchan Siman 129 Badei HaShulchan 2 quotes that the Tzemach Tzedek was stringent. Additionally, Orchot Shabbos page 217 chapter 5:footnote 12 writes that Rav Elyashiv was stringent as well.<br/> </ref>
==Toladot==
# Cutting up vegetables into small pieces in order to cook them and shaving down a metal rod are examples of toldot of Tochen.<ref> Rambam Shabbos 7:5, 8:15, 21:18 </ref>


==Related Pages==
==Related Pages==
# [[Medicine on Shabbat|Taking Medicine on Shabbat]] (which is a rabbinic decree because of [[grinding]])
# [[Medicine on Shabbat|Taking Medicine on Shabbat]] (which is a rabbinic decree because of [[grinding]]) <ref> Gemara 53b and Rashi s.v. Gezeira </ref>
==Links==# [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/718686/Rabbi_Shalom_Rosner/The_Shabbos_Kitchen:_Slicing_and_Dicing_(tochen) The Shabbos Kitchen: Slicing and Dicing (Tochen)] by Rabbi Shalom Rosner# [http://www.tlc.jewishpathways.com/files/Tochen_-_Part_1_Back_to_the_Grind.pdf Back to the Grind] on Jewish Pathways
==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Shabbat]]
[[Category:Shabbat]]