Turning On The Hot Water On Shabbat

Turning On The Hot Water On Shabbat Day: Tuesday Date: June 17, 2014 Parshat: Korach Yalkut Yosef: 318 If one has a standard boiler heated either by electricity or a gas fire he may not use hot water from the sink on Shabbat since by doing so he will cause the new water that enters the boiler to reach yad soledet bo. This is a pesik resha de'oraita and is therefore prohibited. However if the water in the boiler is at a lower temperature than yad soledet bo, and adding more water will not cause the boiler's heating element to turn on or get hotter, one may use hot water from the tap for washing dishes or ones face, hands, and feet. (See Halacha from Thursday June 12, 2014 for halachot pertaining to a water heater that is heated by the sun alone). If the water in the boiler is above yad soledet bo it is permissible for one to ask a goy to turn on the hot water. (For a detailed explanation of why it is permitted see Halacha from October 29, 2012). The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org