HALACHA OF THE WEEK:The Use of Warming Drawers on Shabbat Whenever a person wants to heat dry, fully cooked food on Shabbat, two issues must be addressed: 1. Will someone who is watching think that you are cooking the food on Shabbat ("mechzei k'mevashel"); 2. After putting the food onto the fire, you might stoke/adjust the flame to speed up the warming process ("shemah yechate") [Mishnah Berurah 253:37 and Sha'ar HaTziun 253:37].
Over the years, numerous methods of warming up food for the daytime Shabbat seudah have been suggested. The simplest options are either placing the (fully cooked, dry) food on the part of the blech that's cooler than "yad soledes bo" (120° F) [Iggrot Moshe Orech Chaim I:94] or on top of another pot that's already on the fire [Shulchan Aruch 253:3]. The reason these options are widely accepted is that both concerns listed above don't apply – no one would think the person is cooking, and they are sufficiently unusual to remind the person not to adjust the fire [Iggrot Moshe Orech Chaim IV:74 Bishul #35].
But what about warming drawers?
The simplest models of warming drawers only have one setting, which is not hot enough to cook food. Therefore, putting food into such a warmer doesn't give the appearance of cooking, and there is no concern of "shemah yechate" because it doesn't have an adjustable flame or thermostat.
But there are more sophisticated warmers with multiple settings (e.g., low, medium, high), and some of those settings produce temperatures well over 200° F and can theoretically be used for slow cooking. HaRav Gedalia D. Schwartz, ztz" l ruled that such warmers may be used if (a) the warmer is to set to "low" (i.e., a temperature where it can't be used for cooking) and (b) the knob used for adjusting the temperature is removed or covered. Under those circumstances, there is no concern that one will adjust the temperature, and anyone looking at the full picture will realize you can't possibly be cooking. Therefore, food may be placed into such a warmer on Shabbos.
Of course, just as is true of the more common heating methods on Shabbat - using a warmer drawer is only permitted if the food is thoroughly cooked and contains virtually no liquids at the time that it is placed into the warmer.
DVAR TORAH In this week's parasha, Yaakov blessed Zevulun before Yissachar, even though Zevulun was the younger of the two. According to the Midrash, this is because Yissachar shared the reward for his Torah study with his brother, while Zevulun engaged in commerce to support them both. Because of this, Zevulun was promised a good income: "Zevulun will live on the seacoast" [Bereishit 49:13].
So what was left to promise Yissachar, especially in view of the fact that he had a guaranteed income from his brother?
The only blessing might be that he should succeed in his studies. However, Yaakov went further, saying, "He saw that peace was good" [ibid. 49:15] - which according to Rashi means "To have a blessed land, which will yield fruits". Why did Yissachar need a fruitful land, when he already received all his material needs from Zevulun?
Perhaps the answer is that Yaakov's blessing to Yissachar is that he should be able to dedicate himself to Torah under any circumstances, whether he has a guaranteed income and lives on fruitful land or is poor and occupied by the hard work of teaching.
Which can also explain the meaning of the Midrash on the verse, "And he bent his shoulder to suffering," [ibid.] saying it refers to the yoke of Eretz Yisrael. Which means that Yissachar was blessed to understand that the Land of Israel is the land of G-d. And while it can be a land flowing with milk and honey, it at times could also be a land which devours its inhabitants - a land of riches and satisfaction, but also be a place of poverty and famine. Which ultimate means that Yissachar is dedicated not only to the Torah but also to the land. He is willing to dwell on the land under any conditions, whether he has a guaranteed income or not.
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MAZAL TOV * to Shoshie and Benjamin Neikrug on the bar mitzvah of their son, Naftali. Mazal tov to grandparents, Margaret and Rabbi Leonard Matanky, and to great-grandmothers, Trude Matanky and Bernice Novick.
* to Senator Ira Silverstein and Alderman Debra Silverstein on the engagement of their daughter Annie to Yosef Goldblatt of Memphis. Mazel Tov to the grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Loskove and Mrs. Ethel Silverstein.
* to David and Rochie Porush on the upcoming marriage of their son Gavi to Nechama Levine. Mazal Tov to grandparents Rabbi Israel and Esther Porush and Dr. Yudi and Phyllis Garden. Special Mazal Tov to great grandmother Mrs. Ibi Weiss.
* to Moshe and Doreen Mermelstein on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Alex and Ayelet Mermelstein.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel who is recovering in rehab * to Shifra Yehudis Orlian who is recuperating at home * to Chaim Zev ben Rivkah Tamar Zucker * to Dr. Jerry Silverman who is in the hospital
CONDOLENCES * to Joe and Inez Samuels on the passing of Joe's brother, Shelwin Samuels, z"l. Shiva will be through next Monday morning. Due to COVID condolence calls are by phone only - 773-761-0403.
* to the family of Eddie Friedman z”l, beloved father of the late Jenny Friedman, brother of Michael (Rena) Friedman. Shiva will be at the home of Michael Friedman in Scottsdale through Wednesday January 6th. Michael Friedman can be reached at 602-828-8704 or by email mfriedman613@msn.com
Rabbi Matanky's Daytime Dialogues is sponsored by * Dr. Harvey and Diane Abramowitz in commemoration of the yahrtzeits of their parents, grandparents and sister z”l. A donation to our Virtual Shiurim fund were made by: * Mrs. Trude Matanky in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her grandfather Aryeh Shiner z”l.
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Nechemia Gershman (1/2) Annie Silverstein (1/2) Mrs. Aviva Matanky (1/3) Mrs. Sharon Chambers (1/4) Eden Medow (1/4) Mrs. Elaine Semer (1/4) Mrs. Sarah Ungar (1/4)
BIRTHDAYS Aharon Levitt (1/6) Ezra Isenberg (1/7) Mr. Mordechai Smith (1/7) Mrs. Devora Sorscher (1/8)
ANNIVERSARIES Mr. and Mrs. Zevi David (1/3)
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
MOVIE: “Driving West Rogers Park: Chicago’s Once and Future Jewish Neighborhood,” updated since its screening three years ago at Cong. KINS, is available for viewing online at www.jndcchicago.org . Treat yourself for Hannukah to the story of the rebound of West Rogers Park!
COVID TRACING Community Counter (communitycounter.org) is a comprehensive Covid-19 resource for our community. CC has an extensive list of testing resources and can assist if you have tested positive and would like support with meals, counseling, plasma trials or finding solid medical and public health guidance. You can help keep our community safer by completing a short survey (anonymously, if you prefer) for contact tracing. Endorsed by local Rabbanim, doctors and several public health depts. Together, we can save lives!
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park 2800 W. North Shore Ave • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
DAF YOMI – Mon.-Friday @ 7:30am; Sunday - TBA
3 MINUTE HALACHA – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
DAYTIME DIALOGUES
30 MINUTES OF PARSHA, Wednesdays 8:00pm
FATHER & SON LEARNING, Motzaei Shabbat
SEFER MELACHIM – Sunday 9:00am