Daily Halacha - Shabbat Laws, 13th of Av 5777

Is it permissible to wash dishes on Shabbat?

Dishes that one has eaten from and has no need for during that Shabbat may not be washed. Similarly, if one has two sets of dishes, one should not wash the dishes that were used, but rather take out the second set from the cabinet [Livyat Chen, section 70]. It is also not permitted to fill these dishes with water, unless it is difficult for the person to tolerate the uncleanliness, or there is concern that food might stick to the dishes, or that flies might be attracted. Drinking vessels may be washed throughout Shabbat [Chazon Ovadiah 6, p. 104].

Is it permissible to immerse vessels in a mikvah on Shabbat?

It is permissible to immerse vessels in a mikvah on Shabbat, and there is no prohibition of "fixing" in this action. The discussion in the Mishnah about not immersing vessels refers specifically to immersing them to change their status from ritually impure to pure [Yalkut Yosef, section 323].

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