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 the 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 then 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 lean 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.
