Fire order - Kindling and extinguishing

The Torah explicitly warns us: 'You shall kindle no fire in all your dwellings on the Shabbat day.' This unique commandment highlights the significance of the melakhat Ma'avir (kindling). It is a primary Torah prohibition, encompassing any act of igniting or intensifying fire.

Ma'avir is not merely igniting a new fire. It also includes intensifying an existing fire, whether by adding fuel or increasing heat. Any action that creates or augments fire is considered this melakhah.

If Ma'avir is creating fire, Mekhabeh is its nullification. Melakhat Mekhabeh is extinguishing fire, diminishing it, or reducing its heat. This is also a Torah-forbidden labor, considered an Av Melakhah in its own right.

1. 1Defining 'Mekhabeh': Reducing or nullifying an existing fire.
2. 2Source of Prohibition: A primary Torah labor.
3. 3Distinction of Intent: Exempt for necessity, liable for personal benefit.

The question of electricity on Shabbat is one of the most complex modern issues. Is turning on an electric light considered 'Ma'avir'? Is it 'Boneh' (building)? Or perhaps only a rabbinic prohibition?

A second approach, accepted by many, views turning on electricity as a Torah-level melakhah of 'Boneh' (building). The explanation is that creating a complete electrical circuit is an act of building, enabling energy flow and device function.

The third, more lenient approach, argues there is no Torah prohibition on electricity. It views it as a change in energy flow, not actual fire or building. Therefore, at most, it's merely a rabbinic prohibition, due to appearance or other decrees.

The concept of 'P'sik Reisha' is particularly relevant to fire melakhot. For example, if a person places a hot pot on an electric stove on Shabbat, and he knows this action will cause the heating element to ignite (even if his intention was only to heat the pot), this is a P'sik Reisha act of Ma'avir.

Generally, P'sik Reisha in Shabbat labors is considered a Torah-level prohibition. Therefore, one must be careful about any action that is certain to cause the kindling or extinguishing of fire, even if it's not the direct intention.