June 5, 2008
R. Heinemann Stands By "Sabbath Mode" Ovens
The Yeshiva World recently posted letters from prominent Israeli and American rabbis against the use of "Sabbath Mode" ovens. The letters made reference to an individual opinion that they believed to be erroneous. That opinion, although not explicitly attributed to him, was that of R. Moshe Heinemann of Baltimore's Star-K.
Today, the Star-K sent out an email stating that R. Heinemann stands by his ruling:
June 5, 2008Regarding Star-K certified Sabbath Mode ovens
Rav Heinemann, shlita, stands by his Psak that it is permissible to raise and lower temperatures on Yom Tov on ovens equipped with that particular Sabbath Mode feature. Please see Star-K website at http://www.star-k.org/consumer.htm , or call our office for details about your particular model. Star-K will, in the next few days, post an audio presentation from Rav Heinemann explaining his views.
For those who wish to refrain from placing their ovens in Sabbath Mode and still use their oven on Yom Tov, please be aware of the possible serious "Michshol" on many models. Opening the oven door will immediately shut off the heating elements, an act clearly forbidden on Yom Tov. Thus, even if you don't raise or lower the temperature, it is still important to keep the oven in Sabbath Mode.
Star-K Certification
Below is R. Heinemann's original teshuva on Sabbath Mode ovens, which can also be found on the Star-K's website, along with additional information regarding Sabbath Mode appliances:
This is going to be included in the upcoming edition of Haveil Havalim.
Posted by: Jack at June 5, 2008 5:42 PMJust another example of great Rabbis being fed information and being manipulated to come out against something and by extension someone. This is an avla of our generation--whereby personality or ideological disputes become framed as a Halachic point of contention. The ensuing rhetoric as it relates to anyone following or associating with the target is way over the top--surely with threats that extend to employment and shidduchim who side with the target.
Say what you want about Rabbi Heinemann, and I may not agree with everything he says. But, when it comes to a grasp of technology and Halacha, he has few peers, certainly not among 80+ year old Rabbis in Eretz Yisroel whose connection to these issues is limited to requests by handlers to "please sign here". This is ziyuf (a forgery) of Torah IMHO.
Posted by: Dr. E at June 8, 2008 6:57 PM
