#286: Common Examples of Borer and The Condition of “Biyad”

1. Last week, we learned that borer of a mixture on Shabbat is forbidden unless one fulfills the three conditions of miyad (immediate use), biyad (with one’s hand), and ochel mitoch pesolet (removing the food from the waste), and we discussed some of the rules concerning miyad. Before continuing to discuss the condition of biyad, we should note that there are many cases of mixtures to which the rules of borer are relevant. Some common examples include peeling vegetables (according to many opinions), separating different foods mixed together, removing meat or chicken from a gravy sauce, and separating clothes or toys mixed together. We will discuss the definition of a mixture and these examples further in the future.

2. The second condition for permitting borer on Shabbat is that the mixture must be sorted by hand. Thus, one may not use a sorting utensil to sort a mixture. This includes a strainer, sieve, and other regular utensils used for sifting (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 319:1). We will discuss some other specific types of utensils over the next few postings.

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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.