Shabbos Use & Halachic Certification
Reviewed for Shabbos Use
Shabespresso has been independently reviewed by Badatz Ohel Moshe and the Machon Mada'i Technologi L'Halacha. Each authority issued its own ruling and conditions of use.
Important Halachic Information
There are differing recognized halachic approaches regarding the preparation of roasted coffee with hot water on Shabbos.
Badatz Ohel Moshe issued a detailed three-page ruling specifically permitting Nespresso®-compatible capsules and ground coffee with hot water when Shabespresso is used according to its instructions. The ruling discusses the potential concerns of bishul and borer and explains its basis for permitting this method.
The Machon Mada'i Technologi L'Halacha also reviewed and approved the Shabespresso for Shabbos use. However, for its certification, the Machon follows a more stringent standard regarding hot preparation of roasted coffee that has not previously been cooked. Its certification therefore limits hot preparation to previously cooked/instant coffee; capsules are permitted under its ruling for cold preparation.
The distinction relates primarily to the halachic treatment of the coffee and hot-water preparation—not to electricity or the manual operation of the Shabespresso itself.
Customers should follow the certification and method of use upon which they rely and consult their own Rav regarding their personal halachic practice.
| Method | Badatz Ohel Moshe | Machon |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Shabespresso mechanism | Approved | Approved |
| Hot instant / previously cooked coffee | Permitted | Permitted |
| Hot Nespresso®-compatible capsules | Permitted according to its detailed ruling | Not included in its hot-use approval |
| Hot ground roasted coffee | Permitted according to its detailed ruling | Not included in its hot-use approval |
| Cold preparation with capsules | Permitted | Permitted |
| Certification conditions apply | Yes | Yes |
Why does Badatz Ohel Moshe permit hot coffee capsules?
The Badatz ruling analyzes two primary Shabbos concerns:
Bishul
Roasted coffee raises the well-known question of bishul achar afiyah/tzliyah—cooking something after it has already been roasted.
The Badatz explains that the hot water entering the upper chamber has the status of a kli sheni, and the water subsequently poured from that chamber onto the capsule is irui mi-kli sheni.
The ruling cites authorities treating this pouring as the relevant equivalent of kli shlishi for this purpose and permits the prescribed method.
Borer
The Badatz also addresses whether passing the water through the coffee constitutes prohibited filtering or separating.
Its ruling distinguishes prohibited filtering of an already-existing mixture from placing dry coffee in a filter and pouring clear water through it in order to extract the coffee's flavor.
Based on the authorities cited in the ruling, it concludes that the prescribed extraction does not constitute prohibited borer.
This summary is provided to explain the certification in plain English and is not a substitute for the full ruling below.
Why is the Machon certification more limited?
The Machon Mada'i Technologi L'Halacha also reviewed the manual Shabespresso mechanism for use on Shabbos.
For its certification, however, the Machon uses a more stringent standard regarding hot preparation of roasted coffee that has not previously undergone cooking.
Its hot-use approval therefore applies to instant coffee or other previously cooked dry coffee. Its ruling permits capsules for cold preparation.
This should not be presented as a statement that every other halachic authority considers hot capsule use prohibited. Rather, the two certifications reflect different halachic standards and conditions of use.
Read the Full Halachic Rulings
For full transparency, the original Hebrew certifications and English translations are available below.
Badatz Ohel Moshe
Detailed ruling addressing Nespresso®-compatible capsules, ground coffee, bishul and borer.
Read English Translation
Unofficial English Translation for Customer Convenience
Kashrut Certification – Badatz Ohel Moshe
Shabespresso Coffee Machine
We hereby certify that the Shabespresso espresso device was carefully examined by us and may be used on Shabbos and Yom Tov. There is no concern of borer, as explained below, and there is no concern of bishul when using Nespresso® capsules or ground coffee in accordance with the instructions detailed below.
Manual Shabespresso Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is intended for preparing espresso using capsules or ground coffee and consists of three sections.
Hot water is placed into the first section. By applying manual pressure, the water descends into the second section, where the capsule or coffee is located, and then continues into the third section, where the coffee is ready to drink.
Although the machine is completely manual and non-electric, the halachic questions that must be considered are the cooking of the coffee and the prohibition of borer.
Ground Coffee
Coffee beans undergo roasting and are then ground. Roasting is halachically comparable to baking.
There is a well-known dispute among the Rishonim and later authorities regarding bishul achar afiyah or bishul achar tzliyah—whether cooking applies after a food has already been baked or roasted.
According to the Sephardic approach discussed in the ruling, one should preferably pour the hot water from a kli sheni onto the coffee.
Regarding a coffee capsule, pouring from a kli sheni onto the capsule is permitted. The pouring cooks only to a limited depth, and the initial effect is upon the capsule packaging.
For Ashkenazim, who are generally stringent regarding bishul after baking or roasting and avoid placing such food even into a kli sheni while it remains yad soledet bo, the ruling states that irui from a kli sheni is treated here as a kli shlishi and is permitted according to the authorities cited.
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee that has undergone an actual cooking process, rather than roasting alone, may be reheated because there is no bishul after bishul in a dry previously cooked food.
The ruling notes that the manufacturing process of each instant coffee should be checked, since some flavored or specialty instant coffees may be produced differently.
Status of the Water in the Shabespresso
Water standing on a fire or hot plate has the status of a kli rishon.
Once that hot water is transferred into the first chamber of the Shabespresso, it has the status of a kli sheni.
The water that then flows from the first chamber into the chamber containing the coffee capsule or grounds is considered irui from a kli sheni.
Borer
The Shulchan Aruch discusses the prohibition of filtering an existing mixture through a strainer.
However, the ruling distinguishes this from placing a dry substance such as coffee, tea leaves or mint into a filter and pouring clear water through it in order to obtain its flavor.
In such a case, the water being poured is itself clear and is being used to extract the taste of the dry substance. Based on the authorities cited in the ruling, this is permitted and does not constitute prohibited borer.
Users should follow all instructions and conditions contained in the original Hebrew ruling.
This translation is provided for customer convenience. In the event of any discrepancy, the original Hebrew ruling controls.
Machon Mada'i Technologi L'Halacha
Approval for Shabespresso use on Shabbos under the Machon's stated conditions.
Read English Translation
Summary of the Machon Ruling
The Machon Mada'i Technologi L'Halacha reviewed the manual Shabespresso mechanism for use on Shabbos.
Its approval permits hot use with instant coffee and/or other dry coffee that has already undergone cooking.
For cold or iced-coffee preparation using cold water and/or cold milk, the ruling permits all types of coffee, including capsules.
Accordingly, the Machon's certification does not extend its hot-use approval to ordinary roasted coffee capsules.
This summary is provided for convenience. Please refer to the original Hebrew certification for the complete ruling and conditions.