Hilchos Shabbos Table Learning

A Weekly Guide to Shabbos Laws for Personal Study and Family Discussion

✨ This Week’s Topic ✨
🧊 Freezing Foods & Liquids on Shabbos

📜 The Law (Letter of the Halacha)

🧊 A. Freezing Liquids on Shabbos

Is one allowed to make ice cubes or freeze drinks on Shabbos?
• Many Poskim rule that it is permitted even initially, and this is the widespread custom.
• Other Poskim rule it is forbidden.
• Some rule it is allowed only in a time of need.

📌 Practical ruling:
It is proper to avoid freezing liquids on Shabbos unless there is a great need.
This is also the implied opinion of the Alter Rebbe (Admur).

❓ Q&A – Common Practical Cases

🧃 Cooling vs. Freezing

May one place a bottle in the freezer just to make it cold (not frozen)?
✅ Yes. This is permitted even according to the stringent opinions.

⏳ Before Shabbos

May one place liquids in the freezer before Shabbos so they freeze on Shabbos?
✅ Yes. This is permitted according to all opinions.

🥛 Preventing Spoilage

May one freeze a liquid food so that it does not spoil?
✅ Yes. This is considered a time of need, in which one may be lenient.

⚡ Before the Freezer Turns On

May one put liquids into the freezer before it turns on automatically?
✅ Generally yes.
⚠️ However, some Poskim are stringent even in this case.

🍦 Freezing Ice Cream

May one freeze ice cream on Shabbos?
• Some Poskim permit, since ice cream is considered a food rather than a liquid, and thus does not involve Nolad.
• Practically: Those who avoid freezing foods on Shabbos should be stringent, unless there is a time of need.

❄️ B. Freezing Solid Foods on Shabbos

May one place solid foods in the freezer on Shabbos?
✅ Yes. It is permitted to freeze solid foods that are normally not eaten frozen.

📌 Examples include:
• Cooked meat
• Milk
• Other foods that are edible when unfrozen

⚠️ Important Note:
One must be careful not to move any Muktzah items while placing food into the freezer on Shabbos.

❓ Q&A – Gravy & Congealing

May one place foods with gravy into the fridge or freezer if the gravy will congeal?
✅ Some Poskim permit, since these foods are also commonly eaten in their congealed state, and therefore no Nolad issue is involved.

📝 Practical Summary

• ❄️ Freezing liquids: Preferably avoided on Shabbos unless there is real need
  • 🧊 Cooling (not freezing): Permitted
  • ⏳ Before Shabbos: Fully permitted
  • 🥛 Preventing spoilage: Considered a time of need
  • 🍦 Ice cream: More room to be stringent unless necessary
  • 🥩 Solid foods: Permitted to freeze
  • ⚠️ Muktzah awareness is essential

🧊 Bottom Line:
Freezing on Shabbos involves differing opinions. While there is room for leniency—especially in cases of need—the proper approach is caution, sensitivity to Nolad, and respect for the spirit of Shabbos, while following accepted custom and practical halacha.

📚 Sources

See Pesach Hadvir 325:1, brought in Shevisas Hashabbos Choshev 2; Doveiv Meisharim 1:55; Shevisas Hashabbos Choshev 2; Toras Shabbos 318:10; Mahrshag 2:103; Nishmas Shabbos Sechita 251; Chelkas Yaakov 2:98; 3:113; Rav SZ”A in SSH”K 10 footnote 14 [in new] and Maor Hashabbos 1; Beir Moshe 2:25-26, 6:11; Vayaan Yosef 20; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 80:18; Tzitz Eliezer 6:34 and 8:12; Lehoros Nasan 1:17; Az Nidbaru 7:7; 10:12; Minchas Yitzchak 8:24; Shevet Halevi 3:55; Mishneh Halachas 4:48;  Or Letziyon 2:32; Shabbos Kehalacha 17:93; Betzeil Hachochmah 2:25; SSH”K 10:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 320:4