Question: May one add color to beverages on Shabbat, such as by adding essence of tea or coffee to hot water in which case the water will be colored as a result of the tea or coffee? Similarly, may one add concentrate to water which will add color to the water or do these situations pose a concern of the prohibition of coloring on Shabbat?
Answer: In the previous Halachot we have discussed the general points of coloring on Shabbat and that this prohibition is one of the forbidden works on Shabbat. In the previous Halacha we have established that the prohibition of coloring does not apply to food items and it is therefore permissible to add turmeric to a dish on Shabbat although the dish is being colored, for this is not the usual method of coloring or dyeing.
The Opinion of the Rama Regarding Coloring Beverages
Regarding beverages, the Rama writes in his commentary Darkei Moshe (Chapter 320), as follows: “I have heard that Rabbi Avraham of Mintz would prohibit adding red wine to white wine on Shabbat because of the prohibition of coloring. However, based on the ruling of the Sefer Yere’im (quoted in the previous Halacha) that coloring does not apply to food items, it seems that this is likewise permissible.”
If There is a Distinction Between Foods and Beverages
We have written that regarding foods, Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch has ruled in accordance with the Sefer Yere’im’s words that the prohibition of coloring on Shabbat does not apply to foods at all. However, with regards to beverages, the Acharonim disagree whether the same Halacha applies. As we have established above, the Rama understood that there is no distinction between foods and beverages and just as there is no coloring with regards to foods, the same applies to beverages. It is for this reason that he permits coloring white wine with red wine on Shabbat. On the other hand, the Chayei Adam, Hagaon Ya’abetz, and other great Acharonim disagree and write that although there is no prohibition to color food items on Shabbat, there is nevertheless no room for leniency regarding coloring liquids.
Based on this, Rabbeinu Yaakov Chagiz writes that when mixing red wine with white wine on Shabbat, one should take care to first pour the red wine into the cup and only then to pour the white wine on top of it in order to avoid any concern of coloring. Indeed, Hagaon Rabbeinu Yosef Haim rules stringently on this matter in his Responsa Rav Pe’alim (Volume 3, Chapter 11). He supports his view with the fact that the primary act of coloring which the Torah prohibits involves preparing the actual dye which is a liquid, one may therefore not color beverages on Shabbat. He proceeds to rule stringently in his great work, Ben Ish Hai. Many contemporary Poskim likewise rule stringently on this matter and prohibit making coffee on Shabbat for this reason.
Nevertheless, halachically speaking, the Halacha on this matter follows the opinion of the great Rama who writes that there is no distinction between foods and beverages in that the prohibition of coloring applies to neither of them. Hagaon Chacham Tzvi, Peri Megadim, Rabbeinu Yosef ben Joya in his Sefer Tal Orot, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l (in his Responsa Yabia Omer, Volume 2 and Chazon Ovadia-Shabbat, Part 5), and many other great Acharonim rule likewise. The Sephardic custom has become to rely on this more lenient ruling.
Summary: One may add essence of tea, coffee, or fruit juice concentrate to water on Shabbat, for the prohibition of coloring on Shabbat does not apply to beverages. This is indeed the prevalent custom. If one is able to act stringently in this matter, such as by first pouring the red wine and then adding the white wine to it, shall surely be blessed.
