Laws of Series

The following is a breakdown of the practical ramifications of general principles we will discuss over the lectures. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and there may be some slight changes during the course of this series.

2018:

1: 16th October Introduction and Preparation for Shabbat This session will be divided into three parts: A: Course Introduction:  Structure of the Course  Why is Shabbat so central to Judaism?  The two foundations of Shabbat B: Friday afternoon activities:  Is it better not to work on Friday afternoon?  Can I travel afar on Friday afternoon?  Is eating out in a restaurant permissible on a Friday afternoon? C: The laws of lighting candles:  We’re eating out on Friday night – where should we light?  My wife is away for Shabbat – do I need to light?  I forgot to light candles before Shabbat – is there anything I can do?  When should I recite the blessing for the candles?  Can I light in the same room that my mother‐in‐law has lit?  I’ve lit the candles and forgotten to switch the lights off – can I still switch the light off?

2: 23rd October Wine, Beer, Whisky and Spices: Kiddush, Shabbat meals and Havdala This session will be divided into three parts: A: Kiddush:  Why is Kiddush so important?  My husband doesn’t fancy drinking grape juice tonight – can I say Kiddush for the family and guests?  I’m eating out and have noticed my host has just taken a sip of wine – is that ok?  Should family members drink from the actual Kiddush cup or can I pour into their individual cups?  Is it better to have wine for Kiddush as opposed to grape juice?  When am I allowed to make Kiddush on Halla? B: Shabbat meals:  I don’t have bread during the week – do I need to have bread on Shabbat?  I made Kiddush in shul – do I need to make Kiddush again?  I’m on a diet – can I skip Shabbat meals? C: Havdala:  I can’t find besamim – can I still do Havdala?  Can I go to sleep before the end of Shabbat and make Havdala the next morning?  I’m travelling straight after Shabbat – can I pray Arvit and say Havdala before the end of Shabbat?

3: 6th November

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The Shabbat Kitchen Part 1: Cooking and Rabbinic Safeguarding Part 1: This lecture will be divided into two parts: A: Bishul:  Overview and definition of Bishul  Cooking in the sun, derivatives of fire, Yad Soledet and Dud Shemesh  What is a Kli Sheni? And can I actually use it or not? A clear guide on how to make hot beverages on Shabbat  Can I pour croutons in my soup?  Reheating Solids, Liquids and Hamin  Is it better to serve the soup on or off the fire/hotplate?  Stirring and other forms of speeding up the cooking process  Eating in a house where Shabbat is not fully observed B: She’hiyah:  Leaving food to cook by itself over the course of Shabbat  The status of hotplates and blechs  Away on holiday with no blech or hotplate in sight  She’hiyah in the 21st century

4: 13th November The Shabbat Kitchen Part 2: Cooking and Rabbinic Safeguarding Part 2 This lecture will be divided into three parts: A: Hazara:  The necessary requirements to put food on a source of heat on Shabbat  Returning a pot that has been left on the kitchen counter B: Hatmana:  The prohibition of food being wrapped in a source of heat  The difference between wrapping in a material that adds heat and one that retains heat  Forms of wrapping that do not constitute Hatmana C: Summary:  Summary of the last two lectures with detailed analysis of hotplates, blechs, crockpots, ovens, urns and more.

5: 20th November The Shabbat Kitchen Part 3: Threshing and Selecting This lecture will be divided into two parts: A: Dash:  (i) Overview and Definition of Dash  (ii) Fruit and vegetables:  Peeling fruit and vegetables  Squeezing fruit and vegetables  Can I squeeze a lemon on a salad? And what about a tea?  (iii) Milking:  Expressing human milk  Milking animals  (iv): Melting Ice  Can I crush ice cubes on Shabbat?  Can I use soap on Shabbat?  Can I freeze water to make ice? B: Borrer:  Overview and Definition of Borrer

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 The conditions necessary to select items on Shabbat  Separating in contrast to dividing  Peeling fruit and vegetables from a Borrer perspective  Can I take the bones out of my fish/chicken?  Borrer with non‐edible items  Can I set the table on Friday night for Shabbat lunch?

6: 27th November The Shabbat Kitchen Part 4: Grinding, Kneading and Pickling This lecture will be divided into three parts: A: Tohen:  Overview and Definition of Tohen  Mashing eggs, liver, cheese, avocado, sugar and matsah on Shabbat  Can I crush food on Shabbat for immediate consumption? B: Lash:  Overview and Definition of Lash  The difference between creating a think, dense mixture and a semi‐loose mixture  The correct way of making, inter alia, Tehina, Hilba, aubergine salad, egg and mayonnaise, porridge, pudding and jelly. C: Me’abed:  The problem of pickling  Pouring salt on salads and the neutralising effect of oil

7: 11th December Out and about: Horesh, Zorea, Kotser, Me’amer This lecture will be divided into four parts: A: Horesh:  Overview and Definition of Horesh  Walking with football studs or high heels through parks  Can I play with marbles on Shabbat? And what about football? (338:5) B: Zore’a:  Overview and Definition of Zorea  An outdoor picnic on Shabbat: what to be careful of  Can I put flowers in a vase on Shabbat? C: Kotser:  Overview and Definition of Kotser  Can I relax in a suspended hammock? Trees and their use on Shabbat (336)  Touching and smelling plants and flowers on Shabbat D: Me’amer:  Overview and Definition of Me’amer

2019:

8: 15th January Cutting, Cleaning and Colouring: Gozzez, Melaben and Sovea This lecture will be divided into three sections: A: Gozez:  Overview and definition of Gozez  Can I comb my hair on Shabbat? What about plaiting hair? And is the same true with my wig?

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 The laws of a woman who forgot to cut her nails or comb her hair before Shabbat and is due to immerse in the  Can I cut a nail on Shabbat that is slightly detached? B: Melaben:  Overview and definition of Melaben  Water has spilt all over the table. How should I clean it?  I got caught in a storm. Is there anything I can’t do with my wet clothes?  Can I rub a stain off my dress? And what about dusting my hat?  Can I make my bed for after Shabbat and other related halachot C: Sove’a:  Overview and definition of Sove’a  Can I pour food colouring into a yoghurt to make it look more appetising for my child?  A discussion of the use of make up on Shabbat  I have a small wound bleeding. Is there a difference what I use to clean it?  Can I sunbathe on Shabbat?

9: 22nd January Knotting, Tearing, Trapping and Slaughtering: Kosher, Kore’a, Sad and Shohet This lecture will be divided into four parts: A: Kosher:  Overview and definition of Kosher and Matir, tying and untying  Tying up the dustbin  Tying one’s shoelaces  Tying the knot of a Sefer Torah B: Tofer and Kore’a:  Overview and definition of Tofer and Kore’a, sewing and tearing  The use of safety pins on Shabbat  Can I tear open food packaging? And what about tearing plastic to read a magazine?  Opening post on Shabbat  Using toilet paper on Shabbat C: Sad:  Overview and definition of Sad  Can I put my pet animal in its cage?  Can I trap a mosquito bothering me?  Can I set a mouse trap on Shabbat? D: Shohet:  Overview and definition of Shohet  An insect is in the sink – can I switch the tap on?  Checking infested vegetables on Shabbat  Can I use fly spray on Shabbat?  Can I brush my teeth on Shabbat?

10: 5th February Writing, Building, Igniting and the Final Hammer blow: Kotev, Boneh, Mavir, Makeh Be’Patish This lecture will be divided into four parts: A: Kotev:  Overview and definition of Kotev and Mohek, writing and erasing  Can I cut through my child’s birthday cake on Shabbat?  Can I Build a puzzle on Shabbat?  Can I keep my home CCTV to record on Shabbat?

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B: Boneh:  Overview and definition of Boneh and Soter, building and demolishing  Can I play with lego with my children?  Can I open cans and bottles on Shabbat?  Can I open an umbrella on Shabbat? What about opening a buggy cover? C: Mavir:  Overview and definition of Mavir and Mechabeh, Igniting and extinguishing a fire  Can I go swimming on Shabbat?  A brief overview of electricity on Shabbat D: Makeh Be’Patish  Can I fold my Tallit on Shabbat?  Can I spray perfume on my top?  Can I dance or clap at a joyful occasion on Shabbat?

11: 26th February Medicine and : Refuah and Amirah Leukam This lecture will be divided into two parts: A: Healing on Shabbat:  The problem with using medicine on Shabbat  The different categories of illnesses and their respective halachot  The circumstances in which it is permissible to use medicine on Shabbat  The laws of Pickuach Nefesh  Can I smear creams on my body on Shabbat? B: Instructing a non‐Jew:  The problem with asking a non‐Jew to do work for a Jew on Shabbat  The additional problem of benefitting from the work of a non‐Jew performed on shabbat  The Halachic difference between a Kablan and a Schir Yom  The circumstances on which it is permissible to ask a non‐Jew to do work for a Jew  Can I ask a non‐Jew to reheat my soup? Switch off the light? Open the post? Do the washing up? Remove a stain from my suit?

12: 5th March: Mastering Muktseh: This lecture will be divided into five sections: A: What is Muktseh and why is it a problem? B: The different categories of Muktseh C: The permissible methods of moving Muktseh on Shabbat D: The circumstances in which it is permissible to move Muktseh on Shabbat E: A discussion of common household items that may or may not be Muktseh.

13: 12th March Children and Babies on Shabbat:  The laws of a woman approaching labour, childbirth and following childbirth  The use of baby wipes  Can I warm up milk for my baby?  Can I use cream for nappy rash?  It’s cold and the heating is off – what can I do?  using nappies on Shabbat

14: 26th March

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Conclusion and Q n A:  Review and Concluding thoughts  A chance to ask specific questions and scenarios.

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