On Yom Tov, is it permitted to use hot water from the sink (which gets hotter than yad soledet) to add to the urn instead of heating water on the stove?
Using Hot Tap Water to Fill an Urn on Yom Tov
Question
Answer
Yes, it is permitted on Yom Tov to use hot water from the sink to add to the urn.
Sources
The Shulchan Aruch rules that every melacha forbidden on Shabbat is forbidden on Yom Tov, except for melacha done to prepare food (ochel nefesh). The Rambam says the same: any labor needed for preparing food is permitted on Yom Tov. The Shulchan Aruch’s chapter on Yom Tov fire is titled “kindling a fire and heating water is permitted on Yom Tov.” So any heating that happens when hot water is drawn from the sink for drinks is permitted, and using that water in the urn is fine.
- Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 495:1 — all melacha forbidden on Shabbat is forbidden on Yom Tov except melacha for food preparation (ochel nefesh)
- Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 511:1 — kindling a fire and heating water is permitted on Yom Tov
- Rambam Hilchot Shevitat Yom Tov 1:4 — any labor needed for food preparation is permitted on Yom Tov
Author
Rabbi Shay Tahan
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