By Rabbi Yair Hoffman First there was the icebox.  Then came the expensive refrigerators with the poison gas.  And then came freon based refrigerators.  And the world changed for the better. This Wednesday before Rosh HaShana, we will all be making an Eiruv Tavshilim.  Generally speaking, we use an egg and a Matzah for an Eruv Tavshillin.  But should we continue doing this in light of refrigeration?  Whatever happened to Hidur Mitzvah – doing a Mitzvah in the best possible way? Although most people use an egg, the Mishna Brurah (527:8) recommends that one should use meat or fish. This is on account of the idea of Hidur Mitzvah – beautifying a Mitzvah. Why then did the custom of using an egg develop? The Aruch HaShulchan explains that the hard-boiled egg was used because it spoiled less than fish or meat.  But nowadays, is there still a reason not to follow the idea of hiddur Mitzvah? OTHER THINGS TO KNOW Whenever any day of Yom Tov comes out on a Friday – an Eruv Tavshilin must be made before the Yom Tov begins. What is an Eruv Tavshilin? An Eruv Tavshilim is a Rabbinic device – that involves 3 things: • a baked item • a cooked item • and a special formula to recite. This Rabbinic device allows one to “continue preparing and cooking” for Shabbos on Yom Tov. In other words, through the Eruv Tavshilin, one actually begins the Shabbos preparations on the day before Yom Tov. The Malachos performed on the Yom Tov for Shabbos are considered to be a continuation of these preparations. (Rema O.C. 527:1). FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION We know, however, that performing Malacha on a Yom Tov for another day other than the Yom Tov itself is, in fact, a Torah prohibition. If this is the case, how can a Rabbinical enactment allow one to get around a Biblical prohibition? ANSWER The answer is that, technically, it was permitted by the Torah to cook on Yom Tov for Shabbos. Why was it permitted? There is an argument about this very point that is found in the Gemara: • Rabbah said that it was permitted because “you never know when guests may drop in and eat.” • Rav Chisda, on the other hand, said that the Torah actually made an exception for Shabbos. The Rabbis, however, forbade cooking on Yom Tov even when it was done for Shabbos. Why did they forbid it? • Either because they were afraid that people would take the best items for Yom Tov and leave nothing significant for Shabbos (Rabbah’s explanation). • Or because they were afraid that it would lead to much confusion in that people would think that one could also cook for another day of the week, too, not just Shabbos (Rav Chisda’s explanation). DIFFERENCE IN HALACHA There is a difference between the two approaches. According to Rabbah, all the food would have to be cooked before Shabbos. According to Rav Chisda, the food may still be cooking over Shabbos. WHO DO WE RULE LIKE? According to whom do we pasken? Ideally, we should be concerned to make sure the food is all cooked from before Shabbos starts. Post fact, we can rely on the opinion of Rav Chisda. According to both opinions, however, the cooking and […]