From the Rav’s Desk: Preparing Techina (Tahini) on Shabbos

Preparing Techina (Tahini) on Shabbos

Question

Is it permissible to prepare Techina (tahini paste mixed with water, lemon, garlic, etc.) on Shabbos, and if so, under what conditions? I have heard conflicting opinions regarding the preparation of Techina on Shabbos. Some people say it is completely forbidden due to concerns of Lisha, while others allow it under certain conditions, while others say its not a problem at all. Can you clarify the correct approach and explain the reasons for the different views? I would also appreciate details about any practical differences in custom or halachic rulings among various communities or authorities.

Answer

The preparation of Techina on Shabbos is under debate amongst the Poskim, and hence one should not prepare Techina on Shabbos, unless done in a way that avoids the melacha of Lisha (kneading) according to all opinion.  This generally means:

• Making it into a thin, pourable mixture rather than a thick paste.
• Adding the liquid first and then mixing in the Tehina paste
• Mixing with a shinui (an unusual method, e.g., crisscross stirring instead of vigorous circular kneading).

Now, given the halachic complexities and quality issues associated with preparing tehina on Shabbos in the above method, it is therefore always advisable to prepare tehina in advance, before Shabbos begins.

Explanation

The preparation of techina on Shabbat raises concerns about the melacha (forbidden labor) of lash (kneading). The central question is whether adding water to pure techina to create a spread constitutes lash, and under what circumstances, if any, it may be permitted. The Torah prohibition of Lisha applies when combining flour and water into dough. This prohibition extends to other foods that form a thick, cohesive mixture (e.g., mashed potatoes, egg salad, or thick dips). Techina is a borderline case: sesame paste plus water can become either a thick dip (problematic) or a thin sauce (permitted). Practically we find two different views on the subject.

The stringent view

According to numerous halachic authorities (Poskim), it is prohibited to prepare a standard, thick mixture of techina on Shabbat by adding water to pure techina if the techina was not previously combined with water before Shabbos. The conventional combining of these ingredients constitutes an act of lash (kneading). This ruling aligns with opinions that consider a mixture to be previously kneaded only if it was combined with a substance other than its own. These authorities hold that the principal aspect of kneading involves the addition of ingredients, which has not occurred in this context, as no external components have been introduced—the food naturally contains them. Consequently, under these views, it remains forbidden to add water to the mixture on Shabbat.

However, it is permissible to add a substantial amount of water at once (rather than incrementally) to the techina, resulting in a thin, runny mixture, provided two deviations (shinuyim) from the usual practice are observed: first, the ingredients must be combined in a sequence opposite to the norm (for example, placing the water before the techina); second, the mixture should be stirred in an unconventional manner, avoiding the typical use of a spoon or fork.

The Lenient View:

Certain authorities permit the preparation of techina in the customary manner on Shabbos, even if the resulting mixture is not less viscous than usual. Their position is that the prohibition of lash does not extend to foods already classified as kneaded, or to mixtures lacking a thick, dough-like consistency. This view aligns with the opinion that defines the prohibition of kneading as joining two substances into one, a process achieved even when combining a food with its own liquid.

Practical Ruling:

The prevailing custom is to be stringent and not to prepare techina on Shabbat unless the following conditions are met:

• The mixture is made thinner than usual (runny consistency).
• The ingredients are combined in the opposite order.
• The mixture is stirred in an unusual manner.

Sources

Stringent: SSH”K [new edition]; Shabbos Kehalacha 22:60; Piskeiy Teshuvos 321:27-7 and footnote 270; And so is the ruling according to Tehila Ledavid 321:21 and Ketzos Hashulchan 130:3 footnote 8 in name of Igleiy Tal 30 that so is ruling according to Rebbe Yehuda, brought in Michaber 321:16; Implication of Biur Halacha 321 “Yachol Learbevo” which negates the explanation of P”M 321 M”Z 13 and implies that by Bar Gibul, even according to Rebbe Yossi there would be a prohibition in doing so; So rules also Chazon Ish 58:8-9; however see SSH”K 8:7 who allows adding other liquids to the food even if it was not mixed with external liquid before Shabbos; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 321:25 

Lenient: Or Letziyon 2:33-7; Many Rabbanim including Yalkut Yosef; Rav Avraham Yosef; Rav Dov Lior; Tehila Ledavid 321:21 that so is ruling of first opinion in Michaber 321:15 as explained in P”M 321 M”Z 13 [brought in M”B 321:? and Biur Halacha ibid] that if the mustard was kneaded with its juice before Shabbos it may be kneaded even into a thick mixture on Shabbos with a Shinuiy.

🥄 Techina on Shabbos: Final Summary & Conditions

Preparing techina (tahini dip) on Shabbos is a halachic debate. To avoid the prohibition of kneading (לישה), only prepare it on Shabbos if you follow all these conditions:

1️⃣ Thin & Pourable: Make a runny, liquidy mixture—not a thick paste.
2️⃣ Liquid First: Add water (or other liquid) first, then the techina paste.
3️⃣ Unusual Mixing: Stir with a shinui (unusual method), like crisscrossing with a fork—not the usual circular motion.

⚠️ Due to these complexities, it’s always best to prepare techina before Shabbos!