The Concepts of Shehiyah and Hatmanah in Contemporary Ovens
Question
I would like to ask, in order to understand siman 253 in the Shulchan Aruch and make it accessible for practical halacha in our times: is there a parallel between the laws of an oven, a stove, a kupach, “swept out and covered,” straw and stubble, the concern that one may stoke the coals, and today’s appliances such as a hotplate, oven, gas stove, etc., so that it will be clear to me in practical terms?
Thank you very much, and have a good week.
Answer
Hello and blessings.
It is, of course, impossible to summarize for you all the laws in siman 253, and certainly not all the parallels to the forms of heating used in our times.
Nevertheless, I will write a few points comparing what is written there with the reality of our times.
A. An ordinary oven of ours has the same status as a kirah, for which being swept out and covered is effective, and not like the large oven of their time, which was extremely hot.
B. Any appliance whose heat level can be adjusted is subject to the prohibition due to the concern that one may stoke the fire. A recognizable indication is therefore required in order to permit leaving food on it from before Shabbat.
C. Covering and reducing the heat is effective in our ovens and stoves, just like “swept out and covered” in their time.