Drinking warm water:[1] [Talmud/Shulchan Aruch Harav/Achronim]
One is to never drink warm water in a metal vessel due to that they damage the body[2], unless one places something into it which is commonly placed into beverages, such as herbs, or spices, or roots of good scenting plants [i.e. Besamim] and the like.[3] [Thus, there is no issue with drinking warm tea or coffee in a metal vessel, being that the tea and coffee are considered spices.]
Hot water:[4] [The above issue only applies with warm water. However] if (the water was boiled[5]) (is boiling[6]) it is permitted in all cases. [Seemingly, the difference between the two versions in Admur, which is based on two different commentaries of Rashi, is regarding whether it suffices for the water to have been boiled in the past even though it is now cold, or if the water must be currently boiling. Practically, the Poskim[7] rule that if the water was boiled, then it is permitted to drink the water in a metal vessel even if it was originally boiled in a metal vessel and is now only warm.]
Vessels of other material:[8] In an earthenware vessel [or vessel made of other material, such as glass[9]] it is permitted in all cases [to drink warm water].
| Warming up water in a metal vessel:[10]
Some Poskim[11] rule that the above hazard only applies when one drinks the warm water from the metal container. However, it is permitted for one to warm up the water in a metal container, such as a metal pot, and then later drink it from a non-metal vessel, such as a glass or porcelain cup. Other Poskim[12], however, rule that it is forbidden to drink the warm water even a nonmetal vessel if it was originally heated in a metal vessel. Practically, one is to be stringent in this matter if the water was only warmed in the metal vessel.[13] [Thus, one should not warm-up water in a metal pot and then drink it in a glass cup unless one adds something to the water, such as tea or coffee and the like as explained above.] If, however, the water was boiled in a metal vessel, then it is permitted to drink the water even if it later cools off and is now only warm. Such warm waters may be drunk even in a metal vessel.[14] |
| Summary and practical examples:
One is not to drink plain warm water that was warmed in a metal vessel and has never yet been brought to a boil. One is either to bring it to a boil or wait until it cools down prior to drinking. One is to be stringent not to drink the warm water even if it is poured into a second vessel that is not of metal. If, however, the water was already brought to a boil one time previously, then it is permitted to be drunk warm from a metal vessel that it was heated in even if it already cooled down or became cold and was reheated. Likewise, it is permitted to drink warm water that was heated in a nonmetal vessel. Likewise, it is permitted to drink warm water that was heated even in a metal vessel if one adds coffee or tea or other substance to the water. Thus drinking warm water is only a problem if all the following conditions apply: 1. The water was warmed in a metal vessel, such as a pot or kettle. 2. The water was never previously brought to a boil. 3. The water is being drunk plain without any additives. 4. The water is being drunk while it is still warm. Based on the above, may one take water from a kettle for the sake of making a tea or coffee if it has yet to be brought to a boil and is merely warm? Yes one may do so as the issue is only if one drinks the water plain. Based on the above, is there any issue with drinking a warm coffee or tea from a metal thermos? No. This applies even if the water was originally warmed in a metal vessel and never yet brought to a boil, as the issue is only if one drinks the water plain. Based on the above is there any issue with drinking plain warm water from a metal thermos? If the water was never previously brought to a boil and was warmed in a metal vessel, then it is problematic to do so. May one drink plain warm water from a glass cup? If the water was never previously brought to a boil and was warmed in a metal vessel, then one is to be stringent not to do so. May one taste some water that is heating in a pot or kettle to see if it is already hot? One is to avoid doing so even if he uses a nonmetal spoon to taste the water. Rather, one should simply use his finger to see if the water is hot.
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[1] Admur C.M. Hilchos Shemiras Haguf Vehanefesh 4; Rebbe Yochanon in Bava Metzia 29b “Kos Decharshin Velo Kosa Deposhrin”; Chulin 84b; Peri Chadash Y.D. 116:9; Kneses Hagedola 116:52; Aruch Hashulchan 116:14; Darkei Teshuvah 116:73; Atzei Haolah 29; Shemiras Hanefesh 319; Kaf Hachaim 116:87; See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 46
[2] Admur ibid; Rashi Chulin 84b explains Gemara ibid to be saying that it is better for one to drink a cup of witchcraft water than to drink warm water in the metal vessel.
[3] Admur ibid; Bava Metzia ibid; Rashi ibid
[4] See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 46:1 footnote 3
[5] Admur ibid; Rashi Chulin ibid
[6] Admur ibid; Rashi Bava Metzia ibid
[7] Peri Chadash 116:9; Kaf Hachaim 116:87; Imreiy Yaakov 10:20
[8] Admur ibid; Chulin ibid; Bava Metzia ibid
[9] Mizmor Ledavid 116; Kaf Hachaim 116:87
[10] Kaf Hachaim 116:87; Imreiy Yaakov 10:20
[11] Peri Chadash 116:9
[12] Rabbeinu Chananel Bava Metzia ibid; Mizmor Ledavid 116; Conclusion of Kaf Hachaim ibid
[13] Kaf Hachaim ibid
[14] Kaf Hachaim ibid; Imreiy Yaakov ibid
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