#265: Melting Ice

1. One may not crush ice or snow on Shabbat and transform it into a liquid (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 320:9). Some maintain that this rabbinic prohibition is due to sechitah and dosh, as crushing ice or snow into liquid is similar to squeezing juice out of a fruit (Rashba). Others maintain that the prohibition is based on “molid” (actively changing forms of a solid to liquid) (Rashi).

2. Sephardim permit allowing ice to melt on its own and then drinking it (a passive form of molid known as “nolad”). Ashkenazim, in contrast, do not allow drinking the melted water in most cases (Rema, O.C. 318:16 and Mishnah Berurah 320:35). We will discuss these rules further in the next few posts.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.