Prepping for Shabbat: What to Set Up Before Sundown

Everyone preparing for Shabbat takes care of the essentials: the food, the drinks, and the Shabbat candles.

But according to halacha, there are several additional preparations that are important to take care of before Shabbat begins. These steps help prevent unnecessary frustration and allow us to enjoy all the goodness we worked so hard to prepare.

Appliances

The refrigerator is one of the most frequently used appliances on Shabbat, which is why it is essential to check in advance that it is permitted for use.

A refrigerator that turns on a light when the door opens is not permitted on Shabbat. Likewise, a refrigerator that activates sensors, such as stopping a fan when the door is opened, is also problematic.

The ideal solution is to purchase a refrigerator that includes a designated Shabbat mode. If the refrigerator does not have such a setting, a technician can often install one. At the very least, the internal light bulb should be disconnected before Shabbat so that it does not turn on when the door is opened.

Noisy electrical devices, such as a radio or television, should not be left running on Shabbat, even if they are connected to a Shabbat timer. Only devices that people commonly leave operating in this manner, such as lights or an air conditioner, may be used with a timer.

Preparing Hot Drinks

In order to enjoy hot drinks on Shabbat, it is advisable to prepare a hot water tank in advance. The tank must meet halachic requirements, meaning it should have a Shabbat mode.

Devices that do not have a Shabbat mode, such as water dispensers that produce boiling water, may not be used on Shabbat. This applies even if the button is mechanical rather than electric, because when boiling water is drawn, new cold water enters the system and is heated for later use.

The preparation of hot drinks also follows halacha. According to Ashkenazi custom, one should be stringent and avoid pouring boiling water directly onto coffee or a tea bag. Instead, water is poured first, and the coffee is added afterward. Instant coffee is considered pre-cooked during production and may therefore be prepared in a second vessel according to all opinions, unlike black coffee.

Tea is customarily prepared using a tea concentrate that was made before Shabbat by placing tea bags into boiling water. There are different customs regarding this, and each person should clarify the details according to their own tradition.

Hot water from the faucet should not be used on Shabbat, neither for washing hands nor for bathing. Care should be taken to ensure that the faucet is set to cold water, since during the week many people leave it on hot. Drawing hot water on Shabbat causes new water to enter the boiler and be heated, which is not permitted.

Carrying and the Eruv

In areas without an eruv, it is forbidden to carry items from the house into the street. If you need to step outside in such a place, it is important to think in advance about where to leave your key. It may be placed in an enclosed area that is considered a private domain, such as a fenced yard.

When carrying is prohibited, the restriction applies not only to items held in one’s hand, but also to objects in pockets, a baby stroller, or even carrying a baby.

Therefore, before going out on Shabbat, it is important to check whether there is an eruv in the area and to plan accordingly. Proper preparation ensures that Shabbat can be experienced calmly, joyfully, and in accordance with halacha.