Borer: Difference between revisions

# Separating right before a meal is permissible eat 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 separating food from undesired food could be separated within 3-4 hours before a meal. Since this opinion isn't widely accepted and shouldn't be relied upon. <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, Biur Halacha (319:3 D”H SheBirer) quotes the Tosfet Shabbat and Maaseh Rokeach who argue on the distinction of the Bet Yosef and the language of the Rambam is just imprecise. So rules 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 Safek Safeka, he concludes by leaving it unresolved. Since this opinion isn't widely accepted by the achronim, and Borer is a Deoritta violation, one should probably not rely on this opinion. </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 HaTzion 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>