[Avodah] Microwave Ovens on Shabbos

[Chana]

I don't know why I don't seem to be seeing these posts originally, only when
other people comment, but I gather that RJS wrote:

> >   Being that the microwave is not considered utilizing fire (I
> believe),
> > an=
> > d that the issur of cooking on shabbos applies to cooking with fire
> exclus=
> > ively-  is there a tshuva that would allow me to use a microwave on
> shabbo=
> > s with the provision that it run on a timer and the light will not
> turn on=
> >  when I open the door? If so, where can I find it?
> >
> > =20
> > -Josh Schulman=20

The Yalkut Yosef says no - this is chelek daled, Shabbat 3, siman 118 letter
19.  He says there in his summary:

It is forbidden to cook on Shabbat b'makshir hamikro gal or beturbo gal even
if it works by way of a Shabbat clock, and one should not be lenient in this
for a choleh sheain bo sakana. But if there is a need to cook on Shabbat the
needs of a choleh sheyesh bo sakana according to the determination of a
doctor, it is better to cook in a micro-gal.

And he has quite extensive footnotes there in which he discusses the issue.

Now as I have noted on this list before, there appears to be a gap between
the position of the Yalkut Yosef on time clocks on Shabbat and that found in
ROY's most recent volume of Yabiat Omer (10 Orech Chaim Siman 26) and so it
is possible that ROY might argue differently.  However he does not address
the question in that teshuva.

BTW, somebody on this list was asking earlier, and I don't remember who,
about written teshuvos regarding non religious Jews and touching wine. Have
a look at Yabiat Omer chelek 1 Yoreh Deah siman 11.  The question as posed
was: "in the din of wine that was touched by a mumar l'chalel Shabbat
befarhesia if it is possible to permit to drink it in order not to embarrass
the mumar".  8 or so pages later he concludes that we can rely on the Binyan
Zion, HaRi Asad and others and permit, especially as the din of stam yanum
is derabanan, and considering him a mumar is only derabbanan, and with two
derabbanans it is permitted to be makil in such a situation.  You really do
need to read the full teshuva though to see all ramifications of what he is
discussing.

Regards

Chana