Q. Is there a problem wetting and using rice paper on Shabbat? I'm not sure I totally understand how it works, but it is unusable in its packaged state until it is soaked in water. It transforms from a brittle paper to a malleable sheet that can be rolled. It is totally unusable in its dry form, as far as I can tell. I feel like it could be Makeh BiPatish, even though it is has previously been wet and then dried. Thanks
A. The ingredients of edible rice paper are white rice flour, salt, and water, although tapioca flour and other ingredients may be added. The mixture is then placed on a heated flat surface; dried and turned into translucent round or square sheets. It is usually sold in packages of dried thin, crisp, translucent sheets, wrapped in cellophane or plastic bags.
The sheets are dipped briefly in hot water to soften them, then wrapped around a different choice of fillings, turning them into fresh summer rolls (salad rolls) or fried spring rolls, similar also to wraps or tacos. The wrapping paper is consumed.
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 318: 4) rules to prohibit washing in hot water certain kind of fish that requires minimal soaking to make it ready, because of bishul prohibition. Similarly, Mishna Berura (ibid. 37) and Biur Halocho (ad loc) maintain that there is no prohibition of tikun keli or makke bepatish on foods when prepared with cold water.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although there are opinions that maintain there is tikun keli on foods, the Halacha follows the Mishna Berura, specially on end-changes that could be reversible. Therefore, there is no problem on wetting with cold water rice paper and preparing it to be used in Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a
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