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I'm trying to find the status of making sushi on shabbos.

I will ask LoR, but would also like to get info here as well as sources, and use as a guide for others.

Issues I'm aware of / heard of:

  • Mevashel - Obvious, let the rice cool first (also pretty painful).
  • Boneh - Not really sure why it would be, but heard some people throwing it around.
  • Memachaik/Memareach - while spreading the rice. Don't think it applied to ready-to-eat food though.
  • Tochen - Cutting some veggies very thinly could pose an issue (such as cucumber) can be avoided by preparing from before.
  • Uvda D'chol - So is making a sandwich, or using the toilet. Not sure why this is more than anything else.
  • Measuring - simply; don't.

Any ideas/sources would be appreciated.

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2 Answers 2

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According to DinOnline.org one may make sushi on Shabbos, however the rice should not be very hot.

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    Thanks @Gershon Gold. I found that too, but no sources, reasoning or even an author are provided
    – boruch
    Dec 11, 2014 at 20:25
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    Here is the list of Rabbi's that are part of DinOnline
    – Gershon Gold
    Dec 11, 2014 at 20:28
  • @boruch The reasoning for not wanting the rice to be too hot could be that hot rice actually cooks the surrounding fish and vegetable matter.
    – rosenjcb
    Dec 12, 2014 at 8:47
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According to the OU's daily halacha,

Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 308:32) writes that unsalted raw fish is muktza, because it serves no purpose on Shabbos. However in our days, if one has cuts of raw fish that are edible as sushi, then they are not muktza. However, Rav Belsky, zt”l, questioned whether one may make sushi on Shabbos. The Chayei Adam 39:1 writes that the melacha of boneh (building) applies to food as well, and that attaching foods together to produce a desired picture or shape, is included in this prohibition. Since shaping sushi might be included in this prohibition, Rav Belsky, zt”l, recommended that one should not make sushi on Shabbos with the intent of making a specific design or pattern.

There was also an article on this topic in the RJJ Journal (description).

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    I was going to cite that RJJ article, so thank you for saving me the effort of finding it. I don't understand its argument that building a maki roll is boneh but building a sandwich isn't, but so be it.
    – Ze'ev misses Monica
    Jan 31, 2020 at 18:29

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