Chapter 12
Washing Dishes and Cleaning the Table on Shabbath and Yom Tov
WASHING DISHES
1.a. One is not allowed to wash dirty dishes or cutlery, either on Shabbath or Yom Tov, unless there is a possibility that one will need them again on the same day; however,
1) one does not have to work out the precise number of pieces of crockery or cutlery of each kind which will still be required for the rest of the day and
2) one may even wash several pieces of the same kind, despite the fact that one only needs one of them.
1.b. Thus,
1) dishes may be washed even in the evening after the first Shabbath meal, in preparation for another Shabbath meal on the following morning or afternoon, but,
2) after the last meal on Shabbath or Yom Tov afternoon, one should not wash the dishes until nightfall, even if one intends to use them on the Yom Tov which occurs on the following day; however,
3) cups and saucers, teaspoons, fruit plates and other utensils which it is customary to use also between meals and which one may, therefore, require even after the last meal, may be washed at any time, except if it is clear that they will no longer be used until nightfall.
