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    Chapter 5 · Cooking and food preparation

    First, second and third vessels

    Lesson 37 of 55 20 min

    May one put tea in a cup with hot water? It depends on the vessel. Build the "vessel ladder" and the rule of "easily cooked" items.

    Lesson goals
    • 01Define first, second and third vessels
    • 02Understand pouring from a first vessel
    • 03Know "easily cooked" items
    01

    The ladder

    כלי ראשון
    The vessel that was on the fire - it cooks.
    עירוי מכלי ראשון
    Direct pouring - cooks the outer layer.
    כלי שני
    The vessel poured into - "does not cook" (Shabbat מ״ב ע״ב (42b)), except "easily cooked" items.
    כלי שלישי
    Most poskim are more lenient with it, even for delicate items.
    02

    Easily cooked items

    The Gemara (Shabbat קמ״ה ע״ב (145b)) mentions "kolias ha-ispanin" - a thin salted fish that cooks even in a second vessel. So it is customary to be strict with tea leaves in a second vessel and prepare essence before Shabbat or use a third vessel (Mishnah Berurah 318).

    Insight

    A study framework only - for a practical question, ask a rabbi.

    Practice

    Trace making a cup of tea on Shabbat and label vessels on the ladder.

    Lesson wrap-up

    One vessel further from the fire - one less question.

    Check your understanding

    Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

    Question 1 of 3

    Does a second vessel cook?

    Previous lessonLeaving and returning food - the Kirah mishnah
    Next lessonDry and liquid - "no cooking after cooking"