DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 5.65 MB)
May One Wash Dishes on Shabbat?

The Shulhan Arukh 323:6 teaches that one is not permitted to exert oneself on Shabbat for something which will only be used after Shabbat. Therefore, one may not wash dishes which will not be used until after Shabbat. However, since drinking glasses may be used throughout the day, they may be washed on Shabbat.

There are, however, a few cases worthy of discussion.

First, R. Ovadia Yosef (Hazon Ovadia Helek 6 pages 100-104) writes that after making Kiddush on Shabbat morning, since the cup will not be use again on Shabbat, it should not be washed until after Shabbat. He adds, however, that one may simply rinse the cup with water, as that is not a tirha. He adds that one may also fill up a dirty pot with water in order that it will be easier to clean after Shabbat, as that is not considered to be a tirha.

Second, R. Ovadia Yosef (ibid.) also discusses whether one may clean his dishes on Friday night in order to use them the next day, if he has other clean dishes. He cites the Mishne Halachot who rules that one may wash those same dishes, and does not need to use the clean dishes in his closet.

Third, what if a person wishes to wash dishes for other reasons? For example, what if a person wishes to wash dishes because dirty dishes may attract bugs, or for hygienic reasons, or because guests may come and it is not proper to have dirty dishes in the sink? In this case R. Ovadia Yosef (ibid.) rules one may wash the dishes. Similarly, one may make a bed in the morning, even if he will not sleep until after Shabbat, as it makes the room look nicer.

Summary: It is prohibited to exert effort, i.e., a tirha, on Shabbat for something which will be used after Shabbat. However, the action does not involve a tirha, or if there is another reason to exert the effort, then it is permitted.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Should One Pray Minha Ketana Without a Minyan Instead of Minha Gedola with a Minyan?
Halachot Concerning the "Mesader" Who Calls Congregants to the Torah
Is A Person Required To Stand During Chazara (Repetition of the Amidah)
Is One Required to Miss Work to Pray with a Minyan?
“Barechenu” and “Barech Alenu” Between 7 Marheshvan and the Beginning of December for Travelers to and From Israel
“Mesuve Ve’Ose” – The Unique Challenge of Accepting Obligation
One Who Realizes During the Amida That He is Facing the Wrong Direction; Facing Northeast or Southeast During the Amida
Does a Kohen Who Serves as Hazzan Recite Birkat Kohanim?
Facing the Kohanim During Birkat Kohanim
How Many Kaddishim are Recited When Three Sifreh Torah are Read in the Synagogue?
The Tefilah of ‘Hodu’ Before Baruch SheAmar
Arranging the Torah Scrolls on the Teba When Two or More Scrolls are Read
Idle Chatter During Pesukeh De’zimra
How To Make Up Missed Shacharit and Musaf in Minha of Shabbat
Reciting the Amidah With the Chazan When One Comes Late to the Synagogue; Other Situations Where One Recites Kedusha During the Silent Amidah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found