Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
Chapter Three of Hilchos Shabbos introduces the fundamental halachic principles governing activities that are initiated on Friday before the onset of Shabbos but continue to run or complete on their own accord during Shabbos. The Rambam establishes the core leniency that the prohibition against labor applies only to actions performed on Shabbos itself, allowing one to benefit from processes that finish independently, such as irrigation, dyeing, trapping, and lighting candles.
This chapter also details the specific Rabbinic restrictions enacted to prevent a person from actively stirring coals on Shabbos to accelerate a cooking process. The Rambam delineates the precise conditions under which food may be left on a fire from Friday afternoon, distinguishing between different stages of cooking, types of fuel, and the physical structures of ranges and ovens.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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הַתְחָלַת מְלָאכָה מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת הַנִּגְמֶרֶת מֵאֵלֶיהָHalacha 1 · Permissibility of Beginning Melacha on Friday That Completes Itself on Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permissibleלְהַתְחִילto beginמְלָאכָהa melachaמֵעֶרֶבfrom the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִיאthat itנִגְמֶרֶתis completedמֵאֵלֶיהָon its ownבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosשֶׁלֹּאfor notנֶאֱסַרwas forbiddenעָלֵינוּupon usלַעֲשׂוֹתto doמְלָאכָהmelachaאֶלָּאexceptבְּעַצְמוֹin the essenceשֶׁלofיוֹם.the dayאֲבָלbutכְּשֶׁתֵּעָשֶׂהwhen is doneהַמְּלָאכָהthe melachaמֵעַצְמָהּby itselfבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמֻתָּרit is permissibleלָנוּfor usלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבְּמַהfrom whatשֶּׁנַּעֲשָׂהthat was doneבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמֵאֵלָיו:on its own
This halacha establishes that the prohibition of melacha applies only to human action performed on Shabbos itself, not to processes that continue on their own.
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מְלָאכוֹת הַמִּתְבַּצְּעוֹת מֵאֲלֵיהֶן בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · Permissibility of Melacha Initiated Before Shabbos and Completed Automatically
כֵּיצַד.Howפּוֹתְקִיןwe may openמַיִםwaterלַגִּנָּהto the gardenעֶרֶבon the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessוְהִיאand itמִתְמַלֵּאתfillsוְהוֹלֶכֶתand goesכָּלallהַיּוֹםthe dayכֻּלּוֹ.entirelyוּמַנִּיחִיןand we may placeמֻגְמָרincenseתַּחַתunderהַכֵּלִיםthe garmentsוְהֵןand theyמִתְגַּמְּרִיןbecome perfumedוְהוֹלְכִיןand goכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ.entirelyוּמַנִּיחִיםand we may placeקִילוֹרsalveעַלonגַּבtop ofהָעַיִןthe eyeוְאִסְפְּלָנִיתand a bandageעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהַמַּכָּהthe woundוּמִתְרַפְּאִיןand they healוְהוֹלְכִיןand goכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ.entirelyוְשׁוֹרִיןand we may soakדְּיוֹinkוְסַמָּנִיןand herbsעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessוְהֵןand theyשׁוֹרִיןsoakוְהוֹלְכִיןand goכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ.entirelyוְנוֹתְנִיןand we may placeצֶמֶרwoolלְיוּרָהinto a vatוְאוּנִיןand bundlesשֶׁלofפִּשְׁתָּןflaxלַתַּנּוּרinto the ovenוְהֵםand theyמִשְׁתַּנִּיןchangeוְהוֹלְכִיןand goכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ.entirelyוּפוֹרְשִׂיםand we may spreadמְצוּדוֹתtrapsלְחַיָּהfor beastsוּלְעוֹפוֹתand for birdsוּלְדָגִיםand for fishעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessוְהֵןand theyנִצּוֹדִיןare trappedוְהוֹלְכִיןand goכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ.entirelyוְטוֹעֲנִיןand we may loadבְּקוֹרוֹתwith the beams ofבֵּיתthe house ofהַבַּדthe olive pressוּבְעִגּוּלֵיand with the round stones ofהַגַּתthe wine pressעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessוְהַמַּשְׁקִיןand the liquidsזָבִיןflowוְהוֹלְכִיןand goכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ.entirelyוּמַדְלִיקִיןand we may lightאֶת—הַנֵּרthe candleאוֹorאֶת—הַמְּדוּרָהthe bonfireמִבָּעֶרֶבfrom the eveningוְהִיאand itדּוֹלֶקֶתburnsוְהוֹלֶכֶתand goesכָּלallהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכֻּלָּהּ:entirely
This halacha lists various activities that may be started before Shabbos and allowed to continue running on their own throughout Shabbos.
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הַנָּחַת תַּבְשִׁיל עַל גַּבֵּי הָאֵשׁ מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 3 · Placing Food on the Fire Before Shabbos and the Decree Against Stirring Coals
מַנִּיחִיןWe may placeקְדֵרָהa potעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe top ofהָאֵשׁthe fireאוֹorבָּשָׂרmeatבַּתַּנּוּרin the ovenאוֹorעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe top ofגֶּחָלִיםcoalsוְהֵןand theyמִתְבַּשְּׁלִיםcookוְהוֹלְכִיןand continueכָּלall ofהַשַּׁבָּתShabbosוְאוֹכְלִיןand we eatאוֹתָהּitבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְיֵשׁand there areבְּדָבָרin thisזֶהmatterדְּבָרִיםthingsשֶׁהֵןthat they areאֲסוּרִיןforbiddenגְּזֵרָהas a decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהone will stirבַּגֶּחָלִיםthe coalsבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha discusses the permission to leave food cooking on a fire from before Shabbos, alongside the Rabbinic restrictions enacted to prevent one from stirring the coals on Shabbos.
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אִסּוּר שְׁהִיַּת תַּבְשִׁיל עַל גַּבֵּי הָאֵשׁ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 4 · The Prohibition of Leaving Food Cooking on the Fire on Shabbos
כֵּיצַד.Howתַּבְשִׁילa cooked foodשֶׁלֹּאthat notבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needוְחַמִּיןand hot waterשֶׁלֹּאthat notהוּחַמּוּheatedכָּלallצָרְכָּןtheir needאוֹorתַּבְשִׁילa cooked foodשֶׁבָּשֵׁלthat cookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needוְכָלand allזְמַןtimeשֶׁמִּצְטַמֵּקthat it shrinksהוּאitיָפֶהis goodלוֹfor itאֵיןwe do notמַשְהִיןleaveאוֹתוֹitעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהָאֵשׁthe fireבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֻנַּחit was placedמִבְּעוֹדfrom while yetיוֹםdayגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirבַּגֶּחָלִיםthe coalsכְּדֵיin orderלְהַשְׁלִיםto completeבִּשּׁוּלוֹits cookingאוֹorכְּדֵיin orderלְצַמְּקוֹ.to shrink itלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifגָּרַףhe sweptהָאֵשׁthe fireאוֹorשֶׁכִּסָּהthat he coveredאֵשׁthe fire ofהַכִּירָהthe stoveבְּאֵפֶרwith ashאוֹorבִּנְעֹרֶתwith waste ofפִּשְׁתָּןflaxהַדַּקָּהthe fineאוֹorשֶׁעָמְמוּthat dimmedהַגֶּחָלִיםthe coalsשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהֵןtheyכִּמְכֻסּוֹתare as if coveredבְּאֵפֶרwith ashאוֹorשֶׁהִסִּיקוּהָthat they fueled itבְּקַשׁwith strawאוֹorבִּגְבָבָאwith stubbleאוֹorבִּגְלָלֵיwith dung ofבְּהֵמָהanimalדַּקָּהsmallשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאֵיןthere is notשָׁםthereגֶּחָלִיםcoalsבּוֹעֲרוֹתburningהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedלִשְׁהוֹתto leaveעָלֶיהָ.on itשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהִסִּיחַhe divertedדַּעְתּוֹhis mindמִזֶּהfrom thisהַתַּבְשִׁילcooked foodוְאֵיןand we do notגּוֹזְרִיןdecreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirבָּאֵשׁ:the fire
This halacha explains the Rabbinic prohibition of leaving uncooked food, or food that improves by shrinking, on an open fire on Shabbos, and the permissible methods of covering or sweeping the coals.
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דִּין שְׁהִיָּה בְּתַנּוּר הֶחָם בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · The Prohibition of Leaving Food in or on a Hot Oven on Shabbos
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּכִירָהwith a kirahשֶׁהֶבְלָהּwhose heatמֻעָט.is minimalאֲבָלbutהַתַּנּוּרan ovenאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁגָּרַףone sweptהָאֵשׁthe fireאוֹorכִּסָּהcoveredבְּאֵפֶרwith ashאוֹorשֶׁהִסִּיקוּהוּthat they fueled itבְּקַשׁwith strawאוֹorבִגְבָבָאwith stubbleאֵיןwe do notמַשְׁהִיןleaveבְּתוֹכוֹinside itוְלֹאand notעַלuponגַּבָּיוits backוְלֹאand notסוֹמְכִיןdo we place closeלוֹto itתַּבְשִׁילfoodשֶׁלֹּאthat was notבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needאוֹorשֶׁבָּשֵׁלthat was cookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needוּמִצְטַמֵּקand shrinksוְיָפֶהand is beneficialלוֹ.to itהוֹאִילsinceוְהֶבְלוֹits heatחַםis hotבְּיוֹתֵרexceedinglyאֵינוֹhe does notמַסִּיחַdivertדַּעְתּוֹhis mindוְחוֹשְׁשִׁיםand we suspectשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirבְּזוֹin thisהָאֵשׁfireהַמְּעוּטָהthe minimalאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאit isאֵשׁfire ofקַשׁstrawוּגְבָבָאand stubbleאוֹorמְכֻסָּה:covered
This halacha explains that because an oven retains intense heat, one may not leave partially cooked food or food that improves with shrinking in or near it, even if the coals are swept or covered.
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אִסּוּר שְׁהִיָּה בְּתַנּוּר גָּרוּף וְטַעַם הַגְּזֵרָהHalacha 6 · The Prohibition of Leaving Food in a Swept Oven and its Reason
וְלָמָּהAnd whyאָסְרוּdid they forbidלִשְׁהוֹתto leaveבַּתַּנּוּרin the ovenאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁגָּרוּף.it is sweptמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהַגּוֹרֵףhe who sweepsאֵינוֹdoes notגּוֹרֵףsweepאֶלָּאexceptרֹבthe majority ofהָאֵשׁthe fireוְעַצְמָהּ.and its essenceוְאִיand it isאֶפְשָׁרimpossibleלִגְרֹףto sweepכָּלall ofהָאֵשׁthe fireעַדuntilשֶׁלֹּאthere does notתִּשָּׁאֵרremainנִיצוֹץa sparkאַחַתsingleמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֶבְלוֹits heatחַםis hotשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirכְּדֵיin orderלְבַעֵרto kindleהַנִּיצוֹצוֹתthe sparksהַנִּשְׁאָרוֹתthat remainבַּתַּנּוּר:in the oven
The Sages forbade leaving food in a swept oven because a person cannot remove every single spark, and the intense heat might tempt him to stir the remaining coals.
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דִּין הַשְׁהָיָה עַל גַּבֵּי כֻּפָּח וְכִירָהHalacha 7 · The Laws of Leaving Food on a Kopach and a Kirah Before Shabbos
הַכֻּפָּחThe kopachהֶבְלוֹits heatרַבis greaterמֵהֶבֶלthan the heatהַכִּירָהof the kirahוּמְעַטand lessמֵהֶבֶלthan the heatהַתַּנּוּר.of the ovenלְפִיכָךְThereforeאִםifהִסִּיקוּהוּthey fueled itבְּגֶפֶתwith olive-wasteאוֹorבְּעֵצִיםwith woodהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּתַנּוּרis like an ovenוְאֵיןand we do notמַשְׁהִיןleaveבְּתוֹכוֹinside itוְלֹאand notעַלuponגַּבָּיוits topוְלֹאand notסוֹמְכִיןdo we place nextלוֹto itתַּבְשִׁילcooked foodשֶׁלֹּאthat is notבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needאוֹorמִצְטַמֵּקshrinksוְיָפֶהand it is beneficialלוֹfor itאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁגָּרַףhe swept outאוֹorכִּסָּהcoveredבְּאֵפֶר.with ashוְאִםAnd ifהִסִּיקוּהוּthey fueled itבְּקַשׁwith strawאוֹorבִּגְבָבָאwith stubbleהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּכִירָהis like a kirahשֶׁהֻסְּקָהthat was fueledבְּקַשׁwith strawוּגְבָבָאand stubbleוּמַשְׁהִיןand we may leaveעָלָיו.upon itוּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלִסְמֹךְto place nextלְכִירָהto a kirahמִבָּעֶרֶבfrom before eveningוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינָהּit is notגְּרוּפָהsweptוּקְטוּמָה.and covered with ashוְאֵיזוֹAnd whichהִיאisכִּירָהa kirahוְאֵיand whichזוֹisכֻּפָּחa kopachכִּירָהA kirahמְקוֹםis a placeשְׁפִיתַתfor settingשְׁתֵּיtwoקְדֵרוֹתpotsכֻּפָּחA kopachמְקוֹםis a placeשְׁפִיתַתfor settingקְדֵרָהpotאַחַת:one
This halacha defines the physical differences between a kirah and a kopach, and details the restrictions on leaving food on them based on the type of fuel used.
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הַשְׁהָיַת תַּבְשִׁיל חַי אוֹ מִצְטַמֵּק וְרַע לוֹ עַל הָאֵשׁHalacha 8 · Leaving Raw Food or Fully Cooked Food on the Fire Before Shabbos
תַּבְשִׁילA dishחַיrawשֶׁלֹּאthat notבָּשֵׁלcookedכְּלָלat allאוֹorשֶׁבָּשֵׁלthat cookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needוּמִצְטַמֵּקand shrinksוְרַעand badלוֹfor itמֻתָּרit is permittedלִשְׁהוֹתוֹto leave itעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהָאֵשׁthe fireבֵּיןwhetherבְּכִירָהon a rangeוְכֻפָּחand a kopachבֵּיןwhetherבְּתַנּוּר.in an ovenוְכֵןAnd soכָּלanyתַּבְשִׁילdishשֶׁבָּשֵׁלthat cookedוְלֹאand notבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needאוֹorבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needוּמִצְטַמֵּקand shrinksוְיָפֶהand goodלוֹfor itאִםifהִשְׁלִיךְhe threwלְתוֹכוֹinto itאֵבָרa limbחַיrawסָמוּךְcloseלְבֵיןto betweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsנַעֲשָׂהit becomesהַכּלthe wholeכְּתַבְשִׁילlike a dishחַיrawוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלִשְׁהוֹתוֹto leave itעַלonהָאֵשׁthe fireאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notגָּרַףhe sweptוְלֹאand notכִּסָּה.he coveredמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁכְּבָרthat alreadyהִסִּיחַhe divertedדַּעְתּוֹhis mindמִמֶּנּוּfrom itוְאֵינוֹand he is notבָּאcomingלַחְתּוֹתto stirבָּגֶחָלִים:the coals
This halacha outlines the conditions under which food may be left on an open fire for Shabbos, such as when it is completely raw or when a raw piece of meat is added right before twilight.
הל׳ ט
דִּין תַּבְשִׁיל שֶׁנִּשְׁאַר עַל גַּבֵּי הָאֵשׁ בְּאִסּוּרHalacha 9 · The Law of Cooked Food Left on a Fire in Violation of Shabbos Laws
כָּלAnyתַּבְשִׁילcooked foodשֶׁאָסוּרthat it is forbiddenלִשְׁהוֹתוֹto leaveאִםifעָבַרhe transgressedוְשִׁהָהand leftאוֹתוֹitאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְאָכְלוֹto eat itעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosוְיַמְתִּיןand he must waitבִּכְדֵיthe amount of timeשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּ.for it to be madeוְאִםand ifשְׁכָחוֹ.he forgot itאִםifתַּבְשִׁילit is cooked foodשֶׁלֹּאthat was notבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needהוּאitאָסוּרis forbiddenעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוְאִםand ifתַּבְשִׁילit is cooked foodשֶׁבָּשֵׁלthat was cookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needהוּאitוּמִצְטַמֵּקand it shrinksוְיָפֶהand it is beneficialלוֹfor itמֻתָּרit is permittedלְאָכְלוֹto eat itמִיָּדimmediatelyבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha details the penalties imposed when one leaves food on a fire in a forbidden manner, distinguishing between intentional transgression and forgetfulness, and between fully and partially cooked food.
הל׳ י
דִּינֵי הַחְזָרַת קְדֵרָה עַל גַּבֵּי הָאֵשׁ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 10 · The Laws of Returning a Pot to the Fire on Shabbos
כָּלAnyשֶׁמֻּתָּרthat is permittedלִשְׁהוֹתוֹto leave itעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהָאֵשׁthe fireכְּשֶׁנּוֹטְלִיםwhen they takeאוֹתוֹitבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהַחֲזִירוֹto return itלִמְקוֹמוֹ.to its placeוְאֵיןandמַחְזִירִיןwe do not returnלְעוֹלָםeverאֶלָּאunlessעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofכִּירָהa stoveגְּרוּפָהsweptאוֹorמְכֻסָּהcoveredאוֹorבְּכִירָהon a stoveוְכֻפָּחand a kupachשֶׁהֻסְּקוּthat were heatedבְּקַשׁwith strawוּגְבָבָא.and with stubbleוְהוּאand that isשֶׁלֹּאprovided that notהִנִּיחַhe placedהַקְּדֵרָהthe potעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהַקַּרְקַעthe groundאֲבָלbutמִשֶּׁהִנִּיחָהonce he placed itעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofקַרְקַעgroundאֵיןwe do notמַחְזִירִיןreturnאוֹתָהּ.itוַאֲפִלּוּand evenעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofכִּירָהa stoveגְּרוּפָהsweptאוֹorמְכֻסָּה.coveredוְאֵיןandמַחְזִירִיןwe do not returnלַתַּנּוּרto an ovenוְלֹאand notלְכֻפָּחto a kupachשֶׁהֻסְּקוּthat were heatedבְּגֶפֶתwith olive peatאוֹorבְּעֵצִיםwith woodאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁגָּרַףthat he sweptאוֹorכִּסָּהcoveredמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֶבְלָןthat their heatחַםis hotבְּיוֹתֵר.exceedinglyוְכָלand anythingשֶׁאֵיןthat we do notמַחְזִירִיןreturnעָלָיוupon itאֵיןwe do notסוֹמְכִיןplace nextלוֹto itבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha details the strict conditions under which food may be returned to a heat source on Shabbos, distinguishing between covered stoves and highly heat-retaining ovens.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר הֲגָסָה בִּקְדֵרָה וְהַחְזָרָה מִכִּירָה לְכִירָהHalacha 11 · The Prohibition of Stirring a Pot and Shifting Between Ranges on Shabbos
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלְהַכְנִיסto insertמַגְרֵפָהa ladleלִקְדֵרָהinto a potבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְהִיאwhile itעַלis onהָאֵשׁthe fireלְהוֹצִיאto removeמִמֶּנָּהfrom itבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁמֵּגִיסhe stirsבָּהּitוְזֶהand thisמִצָּרְכֵיis of the needsהַבִּשּׁוּלof cookingהוּא·וְנִמְצָאand he is foundכִּמְבַשֵּׁלlike one who cooksבְּשַׁבָּת.on ShabbosוּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלְהַחֲזִירto returnמִכִּירָהfrom a rangeלְכִירָהto a rangeאֲפִלּוּevenמִכִּירָהfrom a rangeשֶׁהֶבְלָהּwhose heatמֻעָטis smallלְכִירָהto a rangeשֶׁהֶבְלָהּwhose heatמְרֻבֶּהis greatאֲבָלbutלֹאnotמִכִּירָהfrom a rangeלִטְמִינָהto coveringוְלֹאand notמִטְּמִינָהfrom coveringלְכִירָה:to a range
This halacha discusses the prohibition of stirring food on the fire on Shabbos and the rules of moving a pot from one range to another.
הל׳ יב
אִסּוּר הַשְׁהָיַת מַאֲכָלִים הַמִּתְבַּשְּׁלִים מַהֵר בַּתַּנּוּרHalacha 12 · The Prohibition of Leaving Fast-Cooking Foods in an Oven Before Shabbos
לֹאNotיְמַלֵּאshall fillאָדָםa personקְדֵרָהa potעֲסַסִיוֹתwith lentilsוְתוּרְמוּסִיןand lupinesאוֹorחָבִיתa jugשֶׁלofמַיִםwaterוְיִתֵּןand placeלְתוֹךְintoהַתַּנּוּרthe ovenעֶרֶבon eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessוְיַשְׁהֶהand leaveאוֹתָן.themשֶׁאֵלּוּfor theseוְכָלand allכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּהֶןto themאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notבָּשְׁלוּthey cookedכָּלatעִקָּרallכְּתַבְשִׁילlike foodשֶׁלֹּאthat notבָּשֵׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needהֵןthey areמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵינָןthat they do notצְרִיכִיםrequireבִּשּׁוּלcookingהַרְבֵּהmuchוְדַעְתּוֹand his mindעֲלֵיהֶןis on themלְאָכְלָןto eat themלְאַלְתַּר.immediatelyוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִשְׁהוֹתָןto leave themבַּתַּנּוּר.in the ovenוְאִםand ifעָבַרhe transgressedוְשִׁהָהand leftאֲסוּרִיןthey are forbiddenעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosוְיַמְתִּיןand he must waitבִּכְדֵיin the amount of timeשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּ:that they can be made
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic prohibition of leaving foods that cook very quickly in an oven on Friday close to nightfall, because the owner's attention remains on them to eat them immediately.
הל׳ יג
דִּין בָּשָׂר בְּתַנּוּר מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · The Law of Meat Placed in an Oven Before Shabbos
תַּנּוּרAn ovenשֶׁנָּתַןthat one placedלְתוֹכוֹinto itבָּשָׂרmeatמִבְּעוֹדfrom whileיוֹםdayוְשִׁהָהand leftאוֹתוֹitבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאִםifבְּשַׂרmeat ofגְּדִיa kidהוּאitוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itמֻתָּר.it is permittedשֶׁאִםfor ifיַחְתֶּהhe stirsבְּגֶחָלִיםthe coalsיִתְחָרֵךְit will charהַבָּשָׂרthe meatשֶׁאֵינוֹas it does notצָרִיךְneedאֶלָּאexceptחֲמִימוּתthe warmth ofהָאֵשׁthe fireבִּלְבַד.aloneוְאִםand ifבְּשַׂרmeat ofעֵזa goatאוֹorבְּשַׂרmeat ofשׁוֹרan oxהוּאitאָסוּרit is forbiddenשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe stirsבְּגֶחָלִיםthe coalsלְבַשְּׁלוֹ.to cook itוְאִםand ifטָחhe smearedפִּיthe opening ofהַתַּנּוּרthe ovenבְּטִיטwith clayמֻתָּר.it is permittedשֶׁאִםfor ifבָּאhe comesלִפְתֹּחַto openהַתַּנּוּרthe ovenוְלַחְתּוֹתand to stirתִּכָּנֵסwill enterהָרוּחַthe windוְיִתְקַשֶּׁהand will hardenהַבָּשָׂרthe meatוְיִפָּסֵדand it will spoilוְיִצְטַנֵּןand will coolהַתַּנּוּרthe ovenוְיַפְסִידand spoilהַבָּשָׂר:the meat
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic prohibition against leaving certain meats to roast in an oven on Shabbos due to the concern that one might stir the coals.
הל׳ יד
הַנָּחַת פִּשְׁתָּן בַּתַּנּוּר מִפְּנֵי חֲשָׁשׁ חִתּוּיHalacha 14 · Placing Flax in an Oven and Decrees Against Stirring Coals
וְכֵןAnd soכָּלanyדָּבָרthingשֶׁהָרוּחַthat the windמַפְסֶדֶתspoilsאוֹתוֹitאֵיןwe do notגּוֹזְרִיןdecreeעָלָיוupon itשֶׁמָּאlestיְגַלֵּהוּhe will uncover itוְיַחְתֶּה.and stirוּמִפְּנֵיAnd because ofזֶהthisנוֹתְנִיןwe may placeאוּנִיןbundlesשֶׁלofפִּשְׁתָּןflaxלְתוֹךְintoהַתַּנּוּרthe ovenעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessשֶׁאִםfor ifגִלָּהוּhe uncovered itיִפָּסְדוּ:they will spoil
The Sages did not decree against leaving items in an oven before Shabbos if opening the oven to stir the coals would spoil the items.
הל׳ טו
דִּין הַשְׁהָיַת גְּדִי שָׁלֵם וְקָרְבַּן פֶּסַח בַּתַּנּוּרHalacha 15 · Leaving a Whole Kid and the Pesach Offering in the Oven Before Shabbos
נָתַןOne placedגְּדִיa kidשָׁלֵםwholeלְתוֹךְintoהַתַּנּוּרthe ovenהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכִּבְשַׂרis like the meat ofעֵזa goatאוֹorכִּבְשַׂרlike the meat ofשׁוֹרan oxוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלִשְׁהוֹתוֹto leave itשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirבְּגֶחָלִיםthe coalsאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·טָחhe plastersהַתַּנּוּר.the ovenוּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלְשַׁלְשֵׁלto lowerכֶּבֶשׂthe lamb ofהַפֶּסַחthe Pesachלַתַּנּוּרinto the ovenעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהnightfallוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notטָחplasterמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁבְּנֵיthat the members ofחֲבוּרָהthe companyזְרִיזִיםare carefulהֵן:they are
This halacha contrasts the prohibition of leaving a whole kid in an unsealed oven with the permission granted to the Pesach offering because its group is exceptionally careful.
הל׳ טז
צְלִיַּת מַאֲכָלִים וְהַנָּחַת מֻגְמָר עַל גַּבֵּי הָאֵשׁ עֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 16 · Roasting Foods and Placing Incense Over Fire Before Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notצוֹלִיןroastבָּשָׂרmeatוּבָצָלand onionוּבֵיצָהand eggעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהָאֵשׁthe fireאֶלָּאunlessכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּצוֹלוּthat they roastמִבְּעוֹדwhile yetיוֹםdayוְיִהְיוּand they will beרְאוּיִיןfitלַאֲכִילָה.for eatingוְאִםand ifנִשְׁאֲרוּthey remainedאַחַרafterכֵּןsoעַלonהָאֵשׁthe fireבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosעַדuntilשֶׁיִּצוֹלוּthey roastהַרְבֵּהmuchמֻתָּרit is permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthey areכְּמִצְטַמֵּקlike shrinkingוְרַעand badלוֹfor itשֶׁאִםfor ifיַחְתֶּהone stirsיַחֲרֹךְit will charאוֹתָןthemשֶׁעַלsince onגּוּףthe body ofהָאֵשׁthe fireהֵם.they areוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofזֶהthisמַנִּיחִיןwe leaveמֻגְמָרincenseתַּחַתunderהַכֵּלִיםthe clothesעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessשֶׁאִםfor ifיַחְתֶּהone stirsבְּגֶחָלִיםthe coalsיִשָּׂרֵףit will burnהַמֻּגְמָרthe incenseוִיעַשֵּׁןand smokeהַכֵּלִים:the clothes
This halacha discusses the prohibition of roasting foods directly on a fire before Shabbos unless they are cooked enough to eat, and the permission to leave incense under clothes because stirring the coals would ruin them.
הל׳ יז
גְּזֵרַת שֶׁמָּא יַחְתֶּה בַּגֶּחָלִים בִּנְתִינַת צֶמֶר לְיוּרָהHalacha 17 · The Rabbinic Decree Against Stirring Coals When Placing Wool in a Dyeing Vat
הָאBeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁכָּלthat allדָּבָרof a matterשֶׁאָנוּthat weאוֹסְרִיןprohibitבְּעִנְיָןin the contextזֶהof thisאֵינוֹis notאָסוּרforbiddenמִשּׁוּםbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itנַעֲשָׂהis doneבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֶלָּאratherגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהone will stirבְּגֶחָלִים.the coalsלְפִיכָךְthereforeאֵיןwe do notנוֹתְנִיןplaceצֶמֶרwoolלְיוּרָהinto a vatאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיְתָהit wasעֲקוּרָהremovedמֵעַלfrom uponהָאֵשׁthe fireשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהone will stirבְּגֶחָלִים.the coalsוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּהְיֶהis thatפִּיהָits mouthטוּחַis sealedבְּטִיטwith clayשֶׁמָּאlestיָגִיסone will stirבָּהּitמִשֶּׁחֲשֵׁכָה:after nightfall
The Rambam explains that the restrictions on leaving items on a fire before Shabbos are Rabbinic safeguards to prevent one from stirring the coals on Shabbos.
הל׳ יח
אֲפִיַּת פַּת וְחָרָרָה עִם חֲשֵׁכָה וּרְדִיָּתָהּ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 18 · Baking Bread and Cakes Close to Shabbos and Removing Them on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notנוֹתְנִיןplaceאֶת—הַפַּתthe breadבַּתַּנּוּרin the ovenעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהnightfallוְלֹאand notחֲרָרָהa cakeעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe back ofהַגֶּחָלִיםthe coalsאֶלָּאunlessכְּדֵיenough timeשֶׁיִּקָּרְמוּthat they crustפָּנֶיהָits surfacesשֶׁהֵםwhich areמֻדְבָּקִיםattachedבַּתַּנּוּרto the ovenאוֹorבָּאֵשׁ.to the fireוְאִםand ifנִשְׁאֲרוּthey remainedאַחֲרֵיafterכֵןsoעַדuntilשֶׁיִּגְמֹרthat it finishesאֲפִיָּתָןtheir bakingמֻתָּרit is permittedשֶׁאִםfor ifיַחְתֶּהhe stirsיַפְסִידhe will spoilאוֹתָן.themוְאִםand ifנָתַןhe placedסָמוּךְcloseלַחֲשֵׁכָהto nightfallוְחָשְׁכָהand it became darkוַעֲדַיִןand stillלֹאnotקָרְמוּdid crustפָּנֶיהָ.its surfacesאִםifבְּמֵזִידintentionallyאָסוּרit is forbiddenלֶאֱכלto eatמֵהֶןfrom themעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosוְיַמְתִּיןand he must waitבִּכְדֵיthe timeשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּ.that they can be madeוְאִםand ifבְּשׁוֹגֵגunintentionallyמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himלִרְדּוֹתto scrape offמִמֶּנָּהfrom itמְזוֹןfood forשָׁלֹשׁthreeסְעֻדּוֹתmealsשֶׁלofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוּכְשֶׁהוּאand when heרוֹדֶהscrapes offלֹאnotיִרְדֶּהshall he scrape offבְּמִרְדֶּהwith a baker's peelכְּדֶרֶךְin the mannerשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹשֶׂהdoesבְּחלon a weekdayאֶלָּאunlessבְּסַכִּיןwith a knifeוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהּ:to it
This halacha details the restrictions on placing bread or cakes in an oven or on coals right before Shabbos, and the rules for removing them if they were left there.
הל׳ יט
הַדְלָקַת מְדוּרָה מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם וְדִינֵי הֲנָאָה מִמֶּנָּה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 19 · Kindling a Fire Before Shabbos and the Prohibition of Benefiting from an Unfinished Fire
עוֹשֶׂהmakesאָדָםa personמְדוּרָהa fireמִכָּלfrom allדָּבָרsubstanceשֶׁיִּרְצֶהthat he desiresבֵּיןwhetherעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofקַרְקַעthe groundבֵּיןwhetherעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofמְנוֹרָהa torch holderוּמַדְלִיקָהּand he kindles itמִבְּעוֹדfrom while yetיוֹםdayוּמִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁand he usesלְאוֹרָהּits lightאוֹorמִתְחַמֵּםwarms himselfכְּנֶגְדָּהּopposite itבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְצָרִיךְand he mustשֶׁיַּדְלִיקthat he kindleרֹבthe majority ofהַמְּדוּרָהthe fireקֹדֶםbeforeחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessעַדuntilשֶׁתְּהֵאthat there isשַׁלְהֶבֶתa flameעוֹלָהrisingמֵאֵלֶיהָon its ownקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְאִםand ifלֹאnotהִדְלִיקhe kindledרֻבָּהּits majorityאָסוּרit is forbiddenלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבָּהּfrom itבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirבָּהּitוְיָנִידand moveהָעֵצִיםthe woodכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁתַּעֲלֶהthat will riseהַשַּׁלְהֶבֶת.the flameוְאִםand ifהִדְלִיקhe kindledעֵץwoodיְחִידִיsingleצָרִיךְhe mustלְהַדְלִיקto kindleרֹבthe majority ofעָבְיוֹits thicknessוְרֹבand the majority ofהֶקֵּפוֹits circumferenceמִבְּעוֹדfrom while yetיוֹם:day
This halacha discusses the requirement to kindle the majority of a fire before Shabbos so that the flame rises on its own, preventing one from stirring the coals on Shabbos.
הל׳ כ
הַדְלָקַת מְדוּרַת בֵּית הַמּוֹקֵד בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ עִם חֲשֵׁכָהHalacha 20 · Lighting the Bonfire in the Temple's Chamber of the Hearth Before Shabbos
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבִּגְבוּלִיןin the provincesאֲבָלbutבַּמִּקְדָּשׁin the Templeמַאֲחִיזִיןwe may setאֶת—הָאוּרthe fireבָּעֵצִיםin the woodבִּמְדוּרַתin the bonfire ofבֵּיתthe House ofהַמּוֹקֵדthe Hearthעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָהdarknessוְאֵיןand we do notחוֹשְׁשִׁיןsuspectשֶׁמָּאlestיַחְתֶּהhe will stirבְּגֶחָלִיםthe coalsשֶׁהַכֹּהֲנִיםbecause the priestsזְרִיזִיןare carefulהֵן:they
The Rabbinic decree against lighting a fire close to Shabbos due to the fear of stirring the coals does not apply in the Beis HaMikdash because the priests are exceptionally careful.
הל׳ כא
הַדְלָקַת מְדוּרָה שֶׁל קָנִים וְגַרְעִינִין קֹדֶם הַשַּׁבָּתHalacha 21 · Kindling a Bonfire of Reeds or Seeds Before Shabbos
הָיְתָהIf wasמְדוּרָהa bonfireשֶׁלofקָנִיםreedsאוֹorשֶׁלofגַּרְעִינִיןseedsאֵינוֹit is notצָרִיךְnecessaryלְהַדְלִיקto kindleהָרֹבthe majorityאֶלָּאbutכֵּיוָןsinceשֶׁהִתְחִילthat startedבָּהֶןin themהָאֵשׁthe fireקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּתShabbosמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁto useבָּהּ.itמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהָאֵשׁthat the fireנִתְלֵיתcatchesבָּהֶןin themבִּמְהֵרָהquicklyוְאֵינוֹand one is notצָרִיךְrequiredלַחְתּוֹת.to stirלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifאָגַדone boundהַקָּנִיםthe reedsאוֹorהִנִּיחַplacedהַגַּרְעִינִיןthe seedsבְּחוֹתָלוֹתin basketsהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyכְּעֵצִיםare like woodוְצָרִיךְand it is necessaryשֶׁתַּעֲלֶהthat there shall riseבָּהֶןin themשַׁלְהֶבֶתa flameמֵאֵלֶיהָon its ownקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּת:Shabbos
This halacha discusses the conditions under which a fire made of fast-burning materials may be lit right before Shabbos without violating the prohibition of stirring the coals.
הל׳ כב
הַדְלָקַת מְדוּרָה מֵחֳמָרִים הַנִּדְלָקִים מַהֵרHalacha 22 · Kindling a Bonfire from Fast-Burning Materials Before Shabbos
מְדוּרָהA bonfireשֶׁלofזֶפֶתtarאוֹorשֶׁלofגָּפְרִיתsulfurאוֹorשֶׁלofרְבָבfatאוֹorשֶׁלofקִירָהwaxאוֹorשֶׁלofקַשׁstrawאוֹorשֶׁלofגְּבָבָאstubbleאֵינוֹis notצָרִיךְrequiredלְהַדְלִיקto kindleרֻבָּהּits majorityקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּתShabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהָאֵשׁthe fireמַדְלֶקֶתignitesאוֹתָםthemבִּמְהֵרָה:quickly
Materials that catch fire rapidly do not require their majority to be lit before Shabbos begins.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by listing numerous permissible Friday activities that continue on Shabbos, including watering gardens, scenting garments, applying medical bandages, soaking ink or wool, setting traps, and operating olive presses. It then transitions to the laws of leaving food on a fire, explaining that uncooked food or food that improves with further cooking cannot be left on an open fire unless the coals are swept out, covered with ash, or fueled by materials like straw that do not produce lasting coals. Finally, the Rambam distinguishes between a standard range and a highly heat-retentive oven, ruling that the intense heat of an oven prevents a person from diverting his mind, thereby forbidding one from leaving unfinished or heat-improving food in or near it even if the coals were swept or covered.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The beautiful halachos of shehiyah—leaving our food to cook on its own over Shabbos—teach us a profound lesson in emunah. The Torah allows us to start a process on Friday and let it finish on its own on Shabbos, because Shabbos is a day of complete cessation from our own creative labor. Yet, Chazal stepped in with a warning: if the food isn't fully cooked, or if it gets better the longer it sits, we cannot leave it on an open fire. Why? Lest we forget ourselves and stir the coals to speed up the process. To permit it, we must cover the coals, showing we have completely diverted our minds from trying to control the outcome.
How often in life do we set a process in motion—a business deal, a shidduch, a medical treatment—and then drive ourselves crazy trying to "stir the coals" to make it happen faster? We worry, we intervene, and we try to force the results. The Rambam is teaching us the spiritual art of letting go. Once you have done your proper, permitted effort before Shabbos, you must cover your coals. You must declare that the results are entirely in the hands of Hashem, who makes things grow and mature without your constant, anxious manipulation.
True menuchas hanefesh (peace of mind) comes from knowing when your job is done. When we cover the fire, we are saying, "I did my part. Now, I step back and let Hashem run His world." This Shabbos, when you see the blech covering the fire, let it be a physical reminder to cover the fire of your weekday anxieties as well.
Today, identify one area of life where you have already done your necessary effort, and consciously "cover the coals" by telling Hashem you are stepping back and trusting Him to bring it to completion.