01
Leaving
Chazal feared one might stoke the coals. So they forbade leaving not-fully-cooked food on an open flame unless the fire is "swept" or "covered with ash". Today a hot plate or a flame cover ("blech") serves a similar role per many poskim.
Course map
Chapter 5 · Cooking and food preparation
Leaving and returning food - the Kirah mishnah
Lesson 36 of 55 22 min
How does one keep food hot for Shabbat? The Kirah mishnah (Shabbat ל״ו ע״ב (36b)) sets the conditions. Build the structure: leaving before Shabbat, returning on Shabbat.
Lesson goals
- 01Define leaving (shehiyah) and returning (chazarah)
- 02Know the "swept or covered" condition
- 03List the five conditions for returning
02
Returning on Shabbat
- 1Food fully cooked
- 2Fire swept or covered
- 3Intends to return it
- 4Kept in hand, not set on the floor (per Rema)
- 5Still hot
Insight
A study framework only - for a practical question, ask a rabbi.
Practice
Describe exactly how the hot plate is set up at home before Shabbat.
Lesson wrap-up
Hot food on Shabbat is delight - and the halakhic structure protects it.
Check your understanding
Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.
Question 1 of 3
What concern led to the shehiyah prohibition?