Adding Sugar to Tea on Shabbos

Q. May one add sugar to tea and stir it so that it dissolves?

A. The Gemara (Shabbos 51b) states that one may not crush ice or snow on Shabbos to cause it to turn into water. Causing a solid such as ice to change into a liquid is forbidden on Shabbos. This is known as molid (creating something new). However, one may add ice to a drink and let it dissolve on its own. The Mishnah Berurah (320:34) writes that some poskim even permit crushing ice after it is placed in the drink. This is because the melting ice mixes immediately into the drink and is not noticeable. However, the Mishnah Berurah (Shaar Hatziyun 318:146) cautions against doing this. What about sugar? When one adds sugar, instant coffee or any other powder to water, one must stir it to dissolve it properly. Is this permitted lichatchila? The Chayei Adam (14:11) writes that the prohibition of molid does not apply to sugar. One may dissolve sugar even by stirring it with one’s hands, since dissolved sugar remains a food. Sugar does not melt and become a liquid, but rather it is a food that is dissolved in water. Igeros Moshe (OC 4:74: Lisha 1) writes as well that one may stir sugar, cocoa or other powders to help them dissolve.

______________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.