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Now that we have set forth the principles regarding Kli Rishon and Kli Sheini, we are ready to examine the options for making tea on Shabbat.
Is Tea Classified as Klei HaBishul?
The Yereim’s concern applies only to items that the Mishnah or Gemara does not specifically mention. The Mishnah, however, specifically states that spices cannot be cooked in a Kli Sheni. Accordingly, why do the Mishnah Berura and Aruch HaShulchan reject Rav Chaim’s ruling that tea is a spice and we are permitted to prepare it in a Kli Sheni?
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (cited in Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 1: note 152) explains that the spices in the Mishnah were large and unprocessed. Today, commercially available spices are ground very finely, which presents a concern for Klei HaBishul. Thus, one might argue that since tea leaves are incomparable to the Mishnah’s unprocessed spices, they should be classified as Klei HaBishul. Indeed, the Aruch HaShulchan notes that it is observable that tea cooks in a Kli Sheni.
The Kli Shelishi Option – Rav Moshe Feinstein vs. Aruch HaShulchan
The Aruch HaShulchan and Mishnah Berurah forbid making tea even in a Kli Shelishi. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Teshuvot Igrot Moshe O.C. 4:74:Bishul:15) presents a middle view between the Aruch HaShulchan and Rav Chaim Soloveitchik. Rav Moshe writes that he is uncertain whether tea leaves are classified as spices. He therefore rules that one should not make tea in a Kli Sheni, but rather in a Kli Shelishi. This process involves pouring the water from the tea kettle into one glass, then transferring it to a second glass. Subsequently, one places the tea bag into the second glass. Rav Ovadia Yosef (Teshuvot Yabia Omer 7: Orach Chaim 40:3) agrees. Rav Moshe writes that the same rule applies to making coffee or cocoa on Shabbat.
Rav Moshe explains that there is a tradition to avoid cooking almost any item in a Kli Sheini. However, he argues that there is no such tradition for a Kli Shelishi.
To understand Rav Moshe and the Aruch HaShulchan’s dispute, we must focus on the concept of a Kli Shelishi. A Kli Shelishi is not addressed in the Gemara or the major Rishonim such as the Rif, the Rambam, and the Rosh. The aforementioned Sefer Yereim, however, specifically mentions concern that Klei HaBishul can cook in a Kli Shelishi. On the other hand, the Pri Megadim (Eishel Avraham 318:35) considers the possibility that even Klei HaBishul cannot be cooked in a Kli Shelishi. The Mishnah Berurah (318:47) applies this ruling when other lenient considerations are present.
The lenient view reasons that the Gemara and Rama mention concern for Klei HaBishul only in the context of a Kli Sheni. The fact that the Rama, unlike the Yereim, makes no mention of a Kli Shelishi indicates that he is not concerned with Bishul in a Kli Shelishi. On the other hand, the Chazon Ish (O.C. 52:19) argues that there was no mention of a Kli Shelishi, as it is conceptually identical to a Kli Sheni. Rav Mordechai Willig reports that Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik agrees.
Moreover, Rav Willig (Cooking and Warming Food on Shabbat, p. 64) even argues that since it is normal to make tea in a Kli Shelishi (kettle to pitcher to cup), doing so constitutes a Torah-level prohibition! Finally, even Rav Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia, Shabbat 4:326) concedes that it is best to avoid making tea in a Kli Shelishi.
Tea Essence – Mishnah Berura and Aruch HaShulchan
The Mishnah Berura and Aruch HaShulchan recommend preparing tea essence - cooking tea bags before Shabbat to make tea concentrate. On Shabbat, one may pour the tea concentrate into a Kli Sheni containing hot water. We are concerned that Ein Bishul Achar Bishul does not apply to liquids only if the liquid is heated in a Kli Rishon. This is because a Sfeik Sfeika, two lenient considerations, exist regarding reheating a liquid in a Kli Sheni. First, it is possible that Ein Bishul Achar Bishul even applies to liquids, and second, the tea concentrate may not cook in a Kli Sheni.
Conclusion
Accordingly, there is credible support for three methods of making tea on Shabbat: Kli Sheni, Kli Shelishi, and tea essence. The good news is that we may drink tea regardless of which of these three methods is used, since each option has a legitimate Halachic basis (see Mishnah Berura 318:2, citing the Magen Avraham and Pri Megadim).
In practice, there is no reason to settle with a Kli Sheini, since it is so easy to implement a Kli Shelishi. In addition, one should satisfy the strictest view since the Shmirat Shabbat Kehilchata (1:53) and Kitzur Hilchot Shabbat (p.48) subscribe to it, and Rav Willig thinks a Torah-level prohibition is involved. One can accommodate the strict view without the effort of making tea essence by waiting to place the tea bag in the hot water until it cools below Yad Soledet Bo. Recall from our earlier discussion that we may regard Yad Soledet Bo as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The tea remains palatable even at a temperature lower than Yad Soledet Bo.
Postscript Number One – Coffee and Instant Soups
Our tea discussion is also relevant to the question of making coffee and instant soups on Shabbat.