#298: Defining a Mixture for Borer

1. We have mentioned many times that the prohibition of borer applies only when there is a mixture of items, some of which one wants and some which one does not want. Examples of a classic mixture include a bowl of different kinds of foods, a mixture of different kinds of clothes/books, or one food with some food and waste on it (such as lettuce with a brown spot one wants to remove or fruit and a seed inside).

2. There are also many cases that are not as clear whether they are defined as a mixture based on the proximity or differences in nature of the items (Piskei Teshuvot 319:16). In the next series of postings, we will discuss some of the guidelines for how to determine what is a mixture.

3. We will begin today with one example that is not a mixture: Pans or pots stored in the refrigerator. Since they are big and are not viewed by most people as being mixed, there are no borer issues with taking them out. However, smaller products that are mixed up randomly inside a bin in the fridge may indeed be subject to Borer according to many poskim. For example a bunch of different fruits/vegetables together in a bin would be subject to the rules of borer discussed previously, and the same may be true for yogurt or cottage cheese containers placed randomly in a different bin. (Orchot Shabbat 3:21).

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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.