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Rav Eliyahu Reingold, Rosh Kollel in the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, spent many years learning in the Telshe Yeshiva and Kollel where he was recognized as one of their foremost talmidim. He taught in the Telshe Mechina before coming to the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. He is a noted Baal Halacha and Baal Mussar, serving as a well-respected posek for the Yeshiva and community. Besides his responsibility in leading the Kollel, he delivers a high level shiur to advanced students, and provides many halacha shiurim throughout the year. His heartfelt weekly mussar shmuess in an inspiration to all.
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Dosh 31 - Crushing Ice 5; Dissolving Sugar (Klal 14 Siman 11) Hilchos Shabbos - S0393
We are continuing in siman 11, regarding the halachos of melting ice and snow. We last learned that it is muttar to melt sugar on Shabbos. The Chayei Adam brings two layers to the argument as to why it is muttar.
First, the Chayei Adam writes that it is muttar to pour hot water onto the sugar and there is no issue of bishul. We will learn that we do not use irui kli rishon for such a purpose, but it is muttar through irui kli sheini. (Kli rishon is defined as the vessel which is directly on the fire, and kli sheini is the vessel which was poured into from the kli rishon. Irui is the act of pouring from the respective kli onto the food in question, so irui kli rishon would be pouring from the kli rishon directly onto the sugar. Although irui kli rishon is assur, irui kli sheini, from the kli sheini directly onto the food, is muttar.)
Second, regarding the issue of melting the sugar, the Chayei Adam explains that it is different from melting ice or snow, because the sugar is still considered a food when it is melted, and it is not considered a liquid. In fact, if the liquid were to be boiled out of the cup, the sugar would remain and crystallize again. It does not approximate a mashkeh, and therefore it does not approximate nolad. Therefore, as the sugar remains a halachic food, there is no issue with pouring hot water on it. This explanation is the understanding of the Ben Ish Chai, who quotes this Chayei Adam in his sefer, Rav Pealim.
This understanding has applications regarding other foods as well, such as instant coffee. Regarding bishul, one cannot use a kli rishon, as we discussed, but one can perform irui from a kli sheini. Regarding the melting issue, one can pour water over the coffee, even though it will melt, because the coffee remains a halachic food.
According to the Chayei Adam, melting sugar or coffee does not have an issue of nolad either, since the resulting product is not considered a new entity.
Additionally, the Chayei Adam adds that it is muttar to place congealed fat on a hot piece of meat, even though one intends for the fat to melt. The melted fat is not considered a new entity, as it remains with the halachic status of a food both before and after it melts. We will discuss this case further in the upcoming shiur, be’ezras Hashem.
Summary
It is muttar to melt sugar, coffee or meat fat in hot water (assuming one has taken care of issues of bishul). They remain a halachic food and do not assume the status of liquid.