Hachona - Washing Dishes

Q. I have a set of 12 Shabbos dishes. I used four of them Friday night. May I wash the four dirty dishes and reuse them again Shabbos day? I still have plenty of clean dishes, but I would prefer to wash the dirty ones, so I will have less to wash after Shabbos. Is this considered hachona (preparing for after Shabbos)?

A. Shulchan Aruch (OC 423:6) writes that one may wash dirty dishes on Shabbos, if they will be needed again for the next meal. The Mishnah Berurah (323:26) based on the Magen Avrohom writes that even if one used 10 dishes at the first meal and knows that he will only need one dish at the next meal, it is still permissible to wash all the dishes. Each dish may be washed, because it is possible that this is the one that will be used. According to this opinion, even if there are plenty of clean dishes, it does not matter. So long as there is a need for a clean dish, all the dirty dishes may be washed. However, the Aruch Hashulchan (323:7) writes that if one has more clean dishes than might possibly be needed, it is not proper to wash extra dishes. The Piskei Teshuvos (323:8) writes that the minhag ha’olom (common custom) is to be lenient, but nonetheless one should avoid extensive efforts that are strenuous on Shabbos.

After all the meals are served, and there is no longer a need for any more dishes, washing dishes would be considered hachona. However, if the intent is not to prepare for after Shabbos, but to tidy up the kitchen for guests, or out of concern of attracting bugs, then it is permitted (Shulchan Shlomo 323:6:{3}).

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