Chapter 80:4
Some Activities Forbidden on Shabbos
4. It is forbidden to place fruit or water on top of an oven after it has
been kindled, for it is possible that the water will boil (1) or the fruit
will cook. Even if one merely intends that they warm slightly, if it is
possible for them to be cooked in this place, it is forbidden to place them
there to warm (2).
Similarly, a Kugel ("Pashtidah") that has [congealed] fat should not be
placed before a fireplace or on an oven to warm if it could be cooked in
these places. One may put such dishes in a place to warm, however, if it is
impossible for them to cook, even if the fat is solidified or the water is
frozen (3). It is, however, forbidden to put any cold food into an oven to
warm [on Shabbos], even though it is impossible for it to cook there (4).
If it necessary for a person who is slightly sick, a Rabbinic authority
should be consulted.
There are some who are accustomed, [after serving some of the food,] to
place the dish back into the oven where it had been kept warm, provided it
is still hot (5). If it had cooled entirely, this is forbidden. A "Baal
Nefesh" (6) should be stringent under all circumstances.
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Our Sages defined "boiling," within the context of the laws of Shabbos,
as the temperature at which a person's hand would recoil ("Yad Soledes").
This is interpreted as referring to a temperature of approximately 110
degrees Fahrenheit or 43 degrees Celsius (Iggeres Moshe, Orach Chayim Vol.
IV, P. 134). Others say 113 degrees F, or 45 degrees C (Rav Shlomo Zalman
Auerbach Zt"l).
(2) The general principle here is that it is prohibited on Shabbos to place
any uncooked food or cold liquid in a place where there is enough heat to
cook the food or bring the water to a temperature of "Yad Soledes" (see
note 1). The basis of this Rabbinic decree was a fear that a person would
intend to warm something up for only a few minutes and end up forgetting
about it.
(3) There are those who forbid it if the melted fat flows out of the Kugel
and is thus visible. There are two issues involved here: firstly, the
prohibition called "Nolad," which includes melting of a solid into liquid
form in certain circumstances. Secondly, according to some, a solid that
melts actually has the status of a liquid and therefore cannot be reheated
even if it has been previously cooked (solid cooked foods may be reheated
on Shabbos in certain circumstances). There are many different opinions
involved in these cases and one should consult a local Rabbi (or a
comprehensive book on the laws of Shabbos) in order to find out the
practical Halacha in each case (See Shulchan Aruch O"H 318:16 and Mishna
Berura for a full discussion of the different approaches).
(4) Even in a case where it is permissible to reheat cooked food or drink,
one is forbidden to do so by placing it directly over a flame, or on any
other source of heat normally used for cooking; doing so would resemble
cooking and might lead to actual cooking.
(5) Food may be returned to a stove top under the following conditions:
a) one has held it or at least kept one's hand on it for the entire time;
b) one took it with the intention of returning it;
c) the fire is covered;
d) the food was cooked entirely and it is still somewhat hot;
e) the food remains in the pot in which it was originally cooked.
If all five criteria were not fulfilled, there are certain circumstances in
which it might be permissible to return the food to the covered stove top.
Within the context of these laws, it is worthy to mention a further point.
It is forbidden to stir a pot or remove food from it with a ladle unless it
has been removed from the fire and cooked entirely. (Misgeres Hashulchon 8).
(6) It is hard to define the term "Baal Nefesh" - basically it is referring
to a person who has a desire to go beyond the "letter of the law."
