#283: The Condition of "Miyad" - How One May Prepare Beforehand

1. Many poskim write that although borer may only be done immediately before the meal (miyad), one need not sort for the meal as the last act of preparation performed before beginning the meal. Rather, it may be done at any point during the time needed to prepare for the meal. For example, if it takes a half-hour to prepare the food and set the table for the meal, one may sort at any time during that period (Igrot Moshe, O.C. 4:74, Borer 13).

2. Although one may perform borer in the permitted manner during any point of preparation immediately before the meal, one may not do so earlier than that amount of time, even if one normally prepares for the meal significantly beforehand. For example, one may not prepare a salad by performing permitted borer on Shabbat morning and then attend shul so that one’s lunch meal is ready immediately upon returning home. Rather, one must do so directly before the meal (Mishnah Berurah 321:45).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.