Shabbat part 14

What happens when we turn on the hot water in the sink or bathtub? Water that has been automatically heated in the boiler comes out from the faucet. Usually, we have it mixed with cold water, in order to arrive at the desired temperature. Might we be "cooking" the cold water? We are certainly making it warmer than it was! A sensor in the boiler "notices" a drop in water pressure, so more water is brought in to the boiler to be heated. Are we "cooking" the cold water? When the temperature in the boiler falls below a certain point, a fire goes on that heats the water. Am I guilty of lighting a fire on Shabbat? The answer to all of these questions is "no!". When the hot and cold waters mix, the resulting mixture is not likely to be "yad soledet" ("the hand recoils"; actually a temperature high enough to cause scalding.) Yes, there are a few poskim who ruled that even heating something by a single degree, is "cooking". As this view is sourceless, most ignore it. Anyway, even if it were, it has not been heated directly, which constitutes "Grama" (causation), which for Ashkenazim is permissible in an emergency, for Sepharadim for any necessity. But the view that this is in any way a form of cooking is both a minority view, as well as without logic. In fact, those who came up with that view, mixed up the laws of cooking and of annealing metal, in which metal is heated before plunging into cold water in order to harden it. ANY heating is forbidden in such a case. The cold water entering the boiler happens automatically, after a delay of several seconds. It, too, is Grama. The fire going on when the water gets cold (because of my taking out hot water, with cold water going in, is "eino mitkaven"; the situation where something I do may or may not result in a forbidden action. This is permissible in the first instance. In the final analysis, Ashkenazim would be loathe to permit such a perilous combination of "Maybes" However, many would permit it if needed for medical reasons, or for cases of great discomfort. Most Sepharadim would permit it. Some add in an additional factor. Although "yad soledet" has different estimates, we know that scalding occurs between 130 degrees F, and 140 degrees F. (54 C to 60C). If the home boiler is set for under that. no "cooking" takes place whatsoever, and is totally a non-issue! Most home boilers are set lower than that anyway. But why should we "scrape the sidewalls" like this? How about being clean in honor of Shabbat, as well as for personal comfort? In Rav Yitzcak Abadi's website, someone asked "can I shower on Shabbat? The answer was "Please do!" A more recent complication is the situation of "instant" water heaters, that switch on whenever the hot water knob is activated, and heat the water on the spot. Although this is clearly also a Grama, it is, for all rabbis I know of "too close for comfort". I would only use this on Shabbat in case of an emergency. My landlord is planning to switch to this system shortly, so I am in the process of researching the issue.
We are almost ready to go to synagogue for morning services. Some, especially Hasidim, will take a dip in the Mikveh for added spiritual purity. Although a Sepharadic service will generally be early (8 am is fairly standard, but many pray earlier; reciting shema' just before sunrise, and amidah just after). Ashkenazim generally pray later on Shabbat (9 is typical, but many go later. Chabad start at 10 or 10:30. Many go later than that. This does NOT apply to Breslov!). Although eating before prayer is technically forbidden (except for the sick), most Ashkenazim have a snack before synagogue, so as not to be disturbed in their prayers by hunger. Chabad has a saying "Better to eat in order to pray than to pray in order to eat". Anyway, RAMBAM rules that one may not pray if one is hungry. Hasidim will typically study some inspirational literature before beginning prayers. Many Sepharadim will meet their Ashkenazi friends as the former are on their way home, and the latter are on their way to synagogue. In my next post, I will discuss the Shabbat morning prayers.