6. Insulating before Shabbos with non-heat adding material, on top of material that adds heat, such as a blech:[1]

A pot which has been insulated with Mochin or other materials which do not add heat, is forbidden to be placed before Shabbos on top of olive waste, as olive waste elevates the heat above them into the Mochin, and the Mochin then adds heat into the pot, which is insulated within it, and thus it is just like insulating with material that adds heat.

On top of Sesame waste: However, it is permitted to place it on sesame seed waste, as they do not elevate the heat above them.

On top of a Kirah:[2] Similarly it is permitted to place it into the Kirah that it was cooked in, and insulate it there with material that does not add heat. Now, even though that the surface of the Kirah which the pot is standing on is very hot, nevertheless since the heat of the Kirah is not from it itself, but from the fire [that is in it], and [thus] as time passes it gets colder, [therefore] it is not considered something that adds heat, and is not similar to olive waste and the like which add heat from their own very substance.

A Kirah is only allowed if it has been swept of coals:[3] Nevertheless [in order to be allowed to do this], the Kirah must be swept of its coals. However, if there are coals in it, then even if they have dimmed, it is [nevertheless] forbidden to insulate in it a pot with clothing, or the like which do not add heat, even if it does not touch the coals at all, such as if it is sitting on a metal grid, or is sitting on top of stones. [See Q&A]

The reason for this restriction is because: even though the clothing do not add heat due to themselves, nevertheless, due to the coals underneath them which elevate the heat, the clothes add heat to the pot, and the pot is thus [considered] insulated in a material that adds heat.

May one place an insulated pot before Shabbos on top of a hot pot?[4] It is permitted to insulate, [a pot, with material that does not add heat,] before Shabbos, whether [the food in the pot is] hot or cold food, [and to then place it] on top of a hot pot [that is not on the fire]. [See Q&A]

The reason: This is not considered like one is insulating on top of something that adds heat, which is forbidden to do even from before Shabbos, being that the hot pot is not considered to be adding heat, being that its heat is diminishing as time goes by.

Summary-Placing insulated food on top of an item which adds heat, such as a stove: Any item that is properly insulated [meaning is defined as insulated in the Halachic terms] is forbidden to be placed even before Shabbos on top of any item which continuously elevates and increases heat to the inside of the pot that is on top of them. Thus, one may not place an insulated pot on top of a blech even before Shabbos. Q&A According to the Michaber may one place a minute amount of insulation on the pot that is found on the fire, blech or electric plate?[5] Some Poskim[6] rule it is forbidden. Others[7] rule it is permitted. Practically the custom of the Sefaradim is to be lenient in this matter.[8]   May one on Erev Shabbos place an insulated pot onto a blech or an electric plate?[9] No.[10]   May one place a pot insulated with material that does not add heat inside of an oven that has been turned off, or an electric plate that is now off?[11] Yes, as since there is no more heat being added it has the same law as a Kirah which has had its coals removed from it.   May one on Erev Shabbos place an insulated pot on top of a pot which is on a flame or blech or electric plate?[12] No.[13] Thus on Erev Shabbos one may not place a towel on top of the pots sitting on top of pots on the Blech if the towel will be touching majority of the side walls. It is a Mitzvah to publicize this matter.   May one on Erev Shabbos enter food that is inside a small pot into a pot of food that is on the fire[14], such as to place a small kugel that is in a pot inside ones Chulent?[15] No.[16]   May one on Erev Shabbos enter food that is wrapped with tin foil or plastic wrap into a pot of food that is on the fire[17], such as to place wrapped Kishkeh into ones Chulent?[18] Some Poskim[19] rule it is forbidden to do so due to Hatmana Shemosif Hevel. Other Poskim[20] rule it is permitted ti do so and that so is the custom to be lenient. If one punctures holes into the foil or plastic, or the food is not fully wrapped in them, or the plastic is very thin and is able to absorb the food in the pot, then it is allowed according to all, as the food in the pot enters into the wrapped food.[21] Furthermore, if the food is not yet cooked, and its form of cooking is when it is submerged within the food then it is permitted according to all.[22] Thus it is permitted according to all to place raw wrapped Kishkeh into Chulent from before Shabbos.   If a food is wrapped within another food may it be placed into food in a pot that is on the fire according to the stringent opinions?[23] Yes.[24] May one on Erev Shabbos insulate food inside a hot pot of water that is off the fire? Yes, as since it is off the fire, it is no longer considered to add heat.   May one on Erev Shabbos, or on Shabbos, place food which is wrapped in tinfoil on top of a pot that is on a flame, Blech or electric plate?[25] If the wrapping is placed in order to guard the heat of the food, then it is forbidden to do so even before Shabbos.[26] If done in order so the food does not spill or fall or get dirty, then it is permitted to do so, although one must be careful to not wrap it more than needed for this purpose.[27] Thus one may not wrap his challah in tinfoil even on Erev Shabbos and place it on any source of heat, unless it is being wrapped to prevent it from getting dirty and the like. May one on Shabbos place a pot cover over food that is resting on top of another pot that is on the fire?[28] If this is done in order to insulate the food and the pot cover touches the food, seemingly it is forbidden. Otherwise, it is allowed. It is permitted to turn over a pot of Kugel and place it on top of a pot which is on the fire.

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[1] Admur 257:10

[2] Admur ibid; M”A 257:18; M”B 257:43 in name of M”A ibid; Shaar Hatziyon 257:41

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that even in such a case it is forbidden due to Hatmana Shemosif Hevel. [Rosh; M”B ibid]

[3] Admur ibid; Michaber 257:8

[4] Admur 258:1; Elya Raba; Atzei Shitim; M”B in Shaar Hatziyon 258:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 258:2

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule it is forbidden to do so due to Hatmana Shemosif Hevel. [Taz 258:1; P”M 258 M”Z 1; 259 M”Z 3] Admur negates this opinion of the Taz. [Kuntrus Achron 257:3; Mahadurah Basra 259]

[5] Piskeiy Teshuvos 257:11; Shabbos Kehalacha 2 p. 19 and p. 34; Or Letziyon 2:17-10

[6] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Shabbos Kehalacha ibid p. 34 based on Beis Yosef; Chut Shani 28:4 based on Chazon Ish

[7] Ketzos Hashulchan 71 footnote 29; Or Letziyon ibid

[8] Mahram Ben Chaviv; Eretz Chaim 257; Birkeiy Yosef 273; Zechur Leyitzchak 74; Or Letziyon ibid; Yabia Omer 6:33; Yalkut Yosef 3

^[9] Shabbos Kehalacha pages 28-30; Piskeiy Teshuvos 257:1 and 11

[10] The reason: as the heat of the blech and pot consider this to be insulating with an item that adds heat, as the heat is continuously added, just like is the law by a Kirah which did not have its coals removed.

^[11] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 page 39-40 based on Admur ibid; M”A 257:18; M”B 257:43 in name of M”A ibid; Shaar Hatziyon 257:41

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that even in such a case it is forbidden due to Hatmana Shemosif Hevel. [Rosh; M”B ibid]

^[12]  Implication of Admur 258:1 and Kuntrus Achron 1; Peri Megadim 258 A”A 1; Tosefes Shabbos; Machatzis Hashekel; Menorah Hatehora;  Avnei Nezer Choshen Mishpat 106; Mishnah Berurah in Biur Halacha 258 “Mutar” and Shaar Hatziyon 258:6; Igros Moshe 4:74-3; Shabbos Kehalacha pages 31-32; Piskeiy Teshuvos 258:4

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is permitted even in such a case and is not considered Mosif Hevel. [Tehila Lidavid 257:8-9; 258]

^[13] The reason: In such a case it is forbidden to insulate the upper pot with any material, just like it is forbidden to insulate a pot when placed in a Kirah that has not been swept of its coals. So rules the Peri Megadim and the Avnei Nezer and the Mishnah Berurah, and the Igros Moshe. Unlike the ruling of the Tehila Lidavid

^[14] However, if not on the fire then according to all it is allowed.

^[15] Aruch Hashulchan 258:3; Minchas Yitzchak 8:17; Even Yisrael 8:18; Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 page 37; Piskeiy Teshuvos 258:3; based on previous Q&A; See M”B 258:2 regarding Shabbos and Shaar Hatziyon 258:6 regarding Erev Shabbos

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is permitted to do so. [Chazon Ish 37:32] The Minchas Yitzchak ibid negates his opinion frokm Halacha.

^[16] The reason: As the food that surrounds the wrapped food insulates it, and since the food is on the fire it is exactly like one is insulating with material that is adding heat which is forbidden to be done even on Erev Shabbos. [ibid]

^[17] However, if it is not on the fire then according to all it is allowed.

^[18] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 page 37-39; Piskeiy Teshuvos 258:3

To note that this question has already been hinted to in the Halacha 5B of which Admur rules that one may pour water into the hot springs but may not submerge them within a container. Thus, in essence the question here is with regards to if we consider the wrapped food to mix and be one with the food that it is submerged in or not.

[19] Minchas Yitzchak 8:17; Kinyan Torah 4:24; Shevet Halevi 3:47; SSH”K 42:63; See Netivos Adam 1:8

[20] Rav SZ”A in Tikkunim for SSH”K ibid; Vayeishev Moshe 1:20; Nesivos Adam ibid; Maor Hashabbos 2:24; Imrei Avarham 15; Or Letziyon 2:17-13; Sheraga Hameir 4:63; 6:141; Az Nidbaru 6:78; Lehoros Nasan 7:12

[21] Shabbos Kehalacha ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Maor Hashabbos ibid

[22] Minchas Yitzchak ibid

[23] Piskeiy Teshuvos 258:3; See Admur in Mahdurah Basra 259; Migdanos Eliyahu 1:79

[24] Doing so is permitted according to all opinions as it is all considered one food.

^[25] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 page 41; Piskeiy Teshuvos 258:4

^[26] Igros Moshe 4:74 Hatmana 3; Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach brought in Shabbos Kehalacha ibid; See Mahdurah Basra 259; Pnei Shabbos 12

^[27] Rav Shlomo Zalman brought in Shabbos Kehalacha ibid; Maor Hashabbos 1:9; Koveitz Mibeis Levi 6:36; However, see Igros Moshe ibid from which it can be learned that even in this situation it is prohibited.

^[28] See Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 page 41-42

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