Tzoveya: Difference between revisions

One of the 39 Melachot on [[Shabbat]] is [[dyeing]]. The primary prohibition is to color a material with dyes, while the [[Toldah]] is to create a liquid dye. <ref>Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 9:13-4)</ref>

==Foods==

The Shibolei HaLeket (Siman 86) quotes the Yereyim as stating that there is no violation of dyeing when adding saffron to food, even though it gives it a color, because it is dissimilar to the way dyeing is normally done. Rabbi Ribiat (39 Melachos p. 750) gives two explanations of this idea. Rav Hershel Schachter (Shabbos Shiur #16 min 55-60) suggests another reason: coloring food before you eat it could be considered part of the process of eating, derech achila. See the Shaar HaTziyun (318:65) who notes some achronim who disagree and the Yabia Omer O.C. 2:20 who defends the idea that there’s no tzoveya by food.</ref> even if one intended on [[dyeing]] the food. <ref>Mishna Brurah 320:56</ref>

# However, [[dyeing]] liquor or honey in order that it is more marketable is forbidden because of [[dyeing]] besides for performing a weekday activity on [[Shabbat]] ([[Uvda DeChol]]).<ref>Mishna Brurah 320:56, Chaye Adam (Shabbat 24:3)</ref> Additionally, put dyes in water and leaving it in the sun in order to make dye is a Biblical prohibition.<ref>Mishna Brurah 320:56</ref>

==Liquids==

# Since there's no prohibition of [[dyeing]] foods, it is permitted to pour red wine into white wine on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 320:56; Chazon Ovadia, Hilchot Shabbat, Chelek 2, Page 84 </ref> However, a case where one’s intent is to improve the esthetic appearance of the food, such as adding red wine to white wine for the Pesach Seder, may be an issue of tzoveya.<ref> Nishmat Adam 24:3, Rabbi Ribiat (p. 753).  </ref> Additionally, this could potentially be considered lasting because one wants the wine to stay colored until one drinks it, thereby serving a purpose for as long as it is colored.<ref> Suggestion based on Nishmat Adam 24:3</ref>