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Borer: Difference between revisions

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* The Gemara (74a) cites a cryptic Braisa, which seems self-contradictory: the Braisa first permits selecting from a food mixture and then rules that doing so is forbidden by Torah law. The Gemara suggests five ways to reconcile the Braisa, three of which remain relevant. First, one may select from a food mixture by hand but it is forbidden by Torah law to select using a specialized sorting instrument such as a sieve. Second, one may select from a food mixture as long as one takes the Ochel (food) from the Psoles (non-food) but it is forbidden by Torah law to select the Psoles from the Ochel. Third, one may select from a food mixture for purposes of immediate consumption but selecting and then putting aside for future use is forbidden by Torah law. * Rabbeinu Chananel (74a-b) understands that the three answers of the Gemara do not disagree; in order to avoid Borer one must fulfill all three conditions by separating the Ochel from the Psoles by hand for immediate use. While the halacha follows Rabbeinu Chananel, since Shulchan Aruch 317:1 agrees with him, it is interesting to note that not all rishonim agree.  
* The Gemara (74a) cites a cryptic Braisa, which seems self-contradictory: the Braisa first permits selecting from a food mixture and then rules that doing so is forbidden by Torah law. The Gemara suggests five ways to reconcile the Braisa, three of which remain relevant. First, one may select from a food mixture by hand but it is forbidden by Torah law to select using a specialized sorting instrument such as a sieve. Second, one may select from a food mixture as long as one takes the Ochel (food) from the Psoles (non-food) but it is forbidden by Torah law to select the Psoles from the Ochel. Third, one may select from a food mixture for purposes of immediate consumption but selecting and then putting aside for future use is forbidden by Torah law. * Rabbeinu Chananel (74a-b) understands that the three answers of the Gemara do not disagree; in order to avoid Borer one must fulfill all three conditions by separating the Ochel from the Psoles by hand for immediate use. While the halacha follows Rabbeinu Chananel, since Shulchan Aruch 317:1 agrees with him, it is interesting to note that not all rishonim agree.  
* For instance, Rashi 75a s.v. vehatanya holds that as long as a person does the separation immediately before eating it is permitted. Rashi’s opinion seems to be that the primary requirement is that perform an action as part of the process of eating. In any event, Tosfot 75a s.v. vahatanya disagrees with Rashi’s approach and seems to require at least that the selection be for immediate consumption as well done with one’s hand. Perhaps Tosfot believes it is only permitted to separate foods if it is significantly different from the way that a person would separate for storage. </ref>  
* For instance, Rashi 75a s.v. vehatanya holds that as long as a person does the separation immediately before eating it is permitted. Rashi’s opinion seems to be that the primary requirement is that perform an action as part of the process of eating. In any event, Tosfot 75a s.v. vahatanya disagrees with Rashi’s approach and seems to require at least that the selection be for immediate consumption as well done with one’s hand. Perhaps Tosfot believes it is only permitted to separate foods if it is significantly different from the way that a person would separate for storage. </ref>  
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# A utensil like a fork is permissible if it’s used as an extension to one’s hand, meaning it’s used not to get one’s hands dirty or in order to pick up a liquid but it doesn’t help one separate any better than if one did it with one’s hands. Some Sephardic authorities permit under all circumstances. <Ref> Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in Sh”t Igrot Moshe O"C 1:126, Brit Olam (Borer #28), Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 3:45, and [[Shabbos]] Kitchen permit using utensils when they are used as because one can't touch it with one's hand (because of manners or the food is hot) but when it's used to aid in seperation, the utensils are forbidden. However, Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 3 pg 261) in name of [[Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef]], Menuchat Ahava (vol 2 7:7), and Sh"t Or Letzion (1:27 pg 68) permit it under all circumstances. Lastly, Rabbi Shlomo Amar in Sh"t Shema Shlomo 1:8 writes that it's preferable to be strict like the Igrot Moshe, however in cases of great need or if there's a doubt whether it's aidding the separation or it's for conveince, it's permissible. </ref>
# A utensil like a fork is permissible if it’s used as an extension to one’s hand, meaning it’s used not to get one’s hands dirty or in order to pick up a liquid but it doesn’t help one separate any better than if one did it with one’s hands. Some Sephardic authorities permit under all circumstances. <Ref> Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in Sh”t Igrot Moshe O"C 1:126, Brit Olam (Borer #28), Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 3:45, and [[Shabbos]] Kitchen permit using utensils when they are used as because one can't touch it with one's hand (because of manners or the food is hot) but when it's used to aid in seperation, the utensils are forbidden. However, Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 3 pg 261) in name of [[Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef]], Menuchat Ahava (vol 2 7:7), and Sh"t Or Letzion (1:27 pg 68) permit it under all circumstances. Lastly, Rabbi Shlomo Amar in Sh"t Shema Shlomo 1:8 writes that it's preferable to be strict like the Igrot Moshe, however in cases of great need or if there's a doubt whether it's aidding the separation or it's for conveince, it's permissible. </ref>
# 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>
# 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>
===Coffee Filters and French Press===
# It is forbidden to use a French press on Shabbat but it is permitted to use a coffee filter to strain out the grinds by pouring the unfiltered coffee through the filter. This is only true of the issue of Borer, however, it is forbidden to cook on Shabbat and so it would only be permitted to use a coffee if the water being used is a Kli Shelishi (according to those who allow using a Kli Shelishi).<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/asktherabbieretzhemdah/home/coffee-filter-on-shabbat Article on Eretz Chemda's Site] writes that it is permitted to use a coffee filter on Shabbat since it is similar to the case of a strainer used for wine in the Mishna Shabbat 137. However, it is forbidden to use a french press since that involves using a kli to separate a mixture.[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/855590/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-filtering-coffee-and-french-press-on-shabbos-and-yom-tov/ Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz] agreed that it is permitted to use the coffee filter based on Shulchan Aruch 319:9 but not a french press since that involves your action to separate the mixture.</ref>
# On Yom Tov it is permitted to use a French press or a coffee filter to make coffee.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/855590/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-filtering-coffee-and-french-press-on-shabbos-and-yom-tov/ Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz] explains that since cooking and Borer are permitted on Yom Tov for the purpose of Ochel Nefesh as long as the food couldn't have been made in the same way before Yom Tov it is permitted to use a coffee filter or French press on Yom Tov to make coffee.</ref>


==Clarification of the Third Condition: Immediate==
==Clarification of the Third Condition: Immediate==