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    Shulchan Arukh · Orach Chayim

    Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 255

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    Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 255English translation

    Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

    1. 1The Laws Governing the Preparation of Fire before the Onset of Shabbos. Containing 3 paragraphs: It is forbidden to make a large fire – a medurah – using wood as fuel close to nightfall [on Friday] unless the fire catches hold to the extent that the flame burns on its own accord without the assistance of other wood (I.e., flaming wood from an outside source.) If [only] one log is [burning], the fire must take hold of the majority of its circumference and its width. If it is not kindled as such (like above) it is forbidden to make use of it on Shabbat. This is a decree, lest one stir [the wood] on Shabbos, moving [the pieces of] wood until the flame ascends on its own accord. If, however, [the wood] was kindled to the extent described [in the previous subsection] while it was still day, a person may warm himself by [that fire] and use its light, regardless of whether [the wood] was [burning] on the ground or on a holder for fire. And even substances that are forbidden to be used as wicks for [the Shabbos] lights.
    2. 2There are authorities who maintain that if coals [are used for kindling], even though the fire only started burning minimally [on its own while it was still day on Friday], it is permitted [to benefit from it], because they will continue to burn on their own.
    3. 3When tar, sulfur, straw, or stubble [are used as kindling for] a medurah, even though the fire only started burning minimally [while it was still day on Friday], it is permitted [to benefit from it, because these substances will continue to burn on their own]. The same [rule applies when] reeds or date pits are used as kindling when they are spread out. If, however, the reeds are bound [in a bundle] and the pits are [collected] in a basket, then the fire must take hold of them to the extent that it ascends on its own accord, and there are those who say the opposite.

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    1

    הכנת האש קודם הכנסת שבת. ובו ג סעיפים:
    אין עושין מדורה מעצים סמוך לחשיכה עד שיצית בהם האור בענין שתהא השלהבת עולה מאליה בלי סיוע עצים אחרים ואם הוא עץ יחידי צריך שיאחוז האור ברוב עביו וברוב הקיפו ואם לא הודלקה כל כך אסור ליהנות בה בשבת גזירה שמא יחתה בה ויניד העצים כדי שתעלה השלהבת וכשהודלקה כשיעור יכול להתחמם כנגדה בשבת ולהשתמש לאורה בין אם הוא על גבי קרקע או על גבי המנורה ואפי' הוא מדברים שאין עושים מהם פתילה לשבת:

    2

    י"א שבפחמין אפי' לא אחז בהם האור אלא כל שהוא שרי מפני שהם דולקים והולכים:

    3

    מדורה של זפת ושל גפרית ושל קש וגבבא אפילו לא אחז בהם אלא כל שהוא שרי וכן מדורה של קנים ושל גרעיני תמרים כשהם מפוזרים אבל אם הקנים אגודות והגרעיני' בסל צריכים שיצית בהם האור עד שתהא שלהבת עולה מאליה ויש אומרים בהיפך:

    Shulchan Arukh · source analysis

    Orach Chayim Siman 255

    Orach Chayim Siman 255 is a source-text unit from the Shulchan Arukh with 3 seifim. Its reading map separates the practical rule, its conditions and the points that need comparison with the surrounding text.

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    A unit-by-unit map of all 3 seifim on this page: opening words, the moves the text actually makes and a link back to that exact seif.

    1. Seif 182 words

      Opens “הכנת האש קודם הכנסת שבת. ובו ג…”

    2. Seif 215 words

      Opens “י"א שבפחמין אפי' לא אחז בהם האור…”

    3. Seif 343 words

      Opens “מדורה של זפת ושל גפרית ושל קש…”

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    Text and commentaries: Sefaria.