Borer: Difference between revisions

# Some say that using a peeler is an issue of using a tool designated for Borer.<ref>39 Melachos (v. 2, p. 404) citing the Eglei Tal</ref>

# Separating before a meal for the time it takes to prepare the meal is considered separating for immediate use. For example if it takes one a half hour to prepare for the meal one may separate only within a half hour of the meal. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 319:45 says that the borer must be done right next to the meal. Even though the Ben Ish Chai (Beshalach 1) writes that within a half hour of the meal is considered immediately before the meal, Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:74 (Borer #13) holds that one only has the time it takes to prepare the meal prior to the meal. So writes the Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 3:63, The 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3 pg 412), [[Shabbos]] Kitchen (pg 100), Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 3 pg 265 486), and Menuchat Ahava (vol 2 7:6). </ref> One may not separate and then take a few minute break before the meal. <ref> The 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3, pg 412) </ref>

# Separating right before a meal is permissible even if one will only eat the food later in meal which may be after several hours. However, separating to eat food after the meal or in another meal is forbidden. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 319:5 writes that separating with intent to eat the food after the meal or in another meal is forbidden. </ref>

# Some say that the time limit for separating food from other food has a longer time period that separating food from waste, however, Ashkenazim shouldn’t rely on this, and Sephardim shouldn’t rely on this unless there’s a great need. <Ref>Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 8:13) writes that one violates Borer if one separates for later in the day such as separating in the morning with intent to eat in the evening. Bet Yosef (319:1-3; Bet Yosef is the author of S”A) explains that the Rambam holds that by separating two foods (one that’s wanted and one unwanted) one is permitted to separate even if one will eat it in the next 3-4 hours, whereas separating a food from a refuse is permitted to only immediately prior to a meal. [Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 3 pg 278) quotes Rabbi Moshe Hershler’s notes to Ramban (note 158) who explains that by food and refuse, separating makes the food edible and that’s only permissible if one eats it immediately, however by two foods, separating is only forbidden as it sets aside two foods and that only is forbidden if it’s stored away for a long time.] S”A 319:1-3 uses the same language of the Rambam which implies that S”A holds of the distinction he made in the words of the Rambam. So writes the Machasit HaShekel 319:6. However, Beiur Halacha (319:3 s.v. SheBirer) quotes the Tosefet [[Shabbat]] and Maaseh Rokeach who argue on the distinction of the Bet Yosef and the language of the Rambam is just imprecise. This is also the opinion of the Mishna Brurah 319:16. However, Rama 319:1 rules that it is only permitted to separate right before a meal, seemingly making no difference whether it’s separating between food and refuse or between two foods. So writes the Machasit HaShekel 319:6 (in explanation of Rama). Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 3 pg 278) brings two opinions on this issue and even though that in the footnote it sounds like it’s permissible because of a Sfek Safeka, he concludes by leaving it unresolved. </ref>

# If one separated in order to eat immediately and then changed his mind and decided not to eat, some say that he violated Borer, while others say it’s permissible after the fact, therefore one should avoid such a situation. <Ref> Shaar HaTziyun 319:5 quotes the Pri Megadim who says that after the fact the food is permitted if one had in mind to eat it immediately even if one changes his mind afterwards. Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 3 pg 272) brings this as a doubt and says that one should avoid such a situation. </ref>

==Alternative ways to permit Borer==

# One may throw all of the items of a mixture onto a table or on the ground so that they scatter. Once the items are separate identifiable units it is permitted to use each one separately without any prohibition of Borer. <Ref>Based on [[Shabbat]] 74a, it seems that throwing a mixture out of the container so that the pieces separate so it’s not a mixture anymore would be permitted and allow one to put away each piece of the mixture separately. This is also the opinion of Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 3:3 (note 6 in name of Rav Shlomo Zalman), Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:74 Borer #11</ref>