Rav Shlomo Aviner[1] was asked if one may use disposable dishes and plasticware on Shabbat, or if doing so impinges on the honor due to Shabbat. He said that it is perfectly permissible to do so, noting that it saves time from having to wash the dishes for the next meal. It also saves one from the stress of knowing that one will have many dishes to wash after Shabbat.

Rav Aviner also notes that Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv was asked similarly:

In a family blessed with many children, there are many dishes used during the course of Shabbat. In order to lighten the load of washing all of the dishes, the husband wanted to use disposable dishes, including a disposable tablecloth, so that after the meal they could simply roll up all of the dishes in the tablecloth and throw them in the garbage. The wife, however, asked, “Even though it would certainly make things easier, isn't using disposable dishes disrespectful to the honor of Shabbat? After all, if an important guest came to one's house, wouldn't we bring out the fancy dishes?” Rav Elyashiv responded, “There is no disrespect to the honor of Shabbat in using disposable dishes.”[2]

Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein also asked his brother-in-law, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, the same question. Rav Kanievsky answered with a story from his uncle, the Chazon Ish. As is known, many in the orthodox community insist on wearing a tie on Shabbat. A yeshiva student once approached the Chazon Ish and told him that it was very difficult for him to wear a tie in the summer due to the heat. He therefore asked him if not wearing a tie would be disrespectful to the honor due to Shabbat? The Chazon Ish replied that if wearing a tie will cause him not to enjoy Shabbat, then he would not be honoring Shabbat by wearing one.

The case of having to wash dishes on or after Shabbat is simillar to the case of having to wear a tie in the summer. Since many people dread having to wash dishes after Shabbat, using disposable dishes may even enhance one’s Shabbat experience. Neverthless, Rav Zilberstein says that since one can purchase fancy and high quality disposable utensils today, it is preferable to purchase those rather than the more simple ones. Rav Kanievski holds that according to the basic halacha one may use even simple disposable dishes on Shabbat. Rav Zilberstein also added that lightening the burden on the lady of the house is in and of itself honoring Shabbat.[3]

There was once a young couple who was very close to the Bostoner Rebbe and Rebbetzin. The couple was also close to Rav Yosef Soloveitchik who also lived in Boston. The couple was invited to Rav Soloveitchik's home for a Shabbat meal. The Rebbetzin asked the young woman what Shabbat was like at the Soloveitchik residence. She said that it was quite similar to Shabbat at the Rebbe and Rebbetzin. However, she that there was one noticeable difference: the Soloveitchiks used disposable utensils. This was because Rav Soloveitchik's wife wanted to attend her husband's motzai shabbat class. If she would have to wash the dishes after Shabbat, she wouldn’t be able to attend the class. The Rebbetzin told her husband about the practice at the Soloveitchik home and asked if they could do likewise, considering that they have 30-40 guests every Shabbat meal, which makes dishwashing very burdensome. The Rebbe told her that she too could use disposable dishes. The Rebbetzin said that she was very grateful to the woman for sharing with her what she saw at the Soloveitchik home.[4]

Nevertheless, Rav Shammai Kahat Gross argues that since one would not use disposable utensils when serving an important guest, or at a wedding, then one should not to use them on Shabbat, either. He does, however, allow using diposnable utensils to serve children.[5] A man who is adamant about using only real dishes on Shabbat should be sure to help his wife wash the dishes. It is reported that the Satmar Rebbe saw one of his chassidim on a motzaei Shabbat folding his tallit with great precision. The Rebbe asked him what he was doing. The chassid explained that he was following the teaching that promptly folding one’s tallit on motzai Shabbat is a segula for shalom bayit. The Rebbe responded that a better segula for shalom bayit is to hurry home and help your wife wash the dishes.[6]

[1] This chapter is taken from: http://www.ravaviner.com/2015/06/using-disposable-dishes-and-plasticware.html. Minor changes have been made.

[2] Vayishma Moshe Volume 1 p. 106.

[3] Aleinu L’shabeiach, Shemot p.530.

[4] The Bostoner Rebbetzin Remembers pp. 165-166.

[5] Kuntres Dvar Hashem Zu Halacha, Tefilah U’bar Mitzvah 6.

[6] Upiryo Matok, Bereishit p. 140.