#312: Tochen for Immediate Use

1. Last week, we began learning some of the principles concerning tochen on Shabbat. We will now continue to discuss other guidelines concerning this melachah. Some poskim allow tochen for immediate use (“miyad”), similar to the condition for borer of allowing the action when it is for immediate use (Magen Avraham 321). “Immediate” includes the time needed to prepare for the meal right beforehand. For example, immediate use could be thirty minutes before the meal, if it takes this amount of time to prepare. According to these opinions, one is allowed to chop vegetables into very small pieces shortly before a meal. However, others do not allow tochen for immediate use.

2. The Mishnah Berurah (321:45) recommends not relying on the lenient opinion and making sure to cut vegetables on Shabbat into slightly larger pieces than usual, as discussed last week. Rav Ovadia Yosef, however, allows relying on the lenient position (Chazon Ovadia, Tochen).

To sign up for the daily halacha via WhatsApp or email, click here.

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.