Borrer is one of the most practical and frequently encountered issues in observing the laws of Shabbos. As such, it is one of the most ‘difficult’ Melachos to navigate. The slightest change in how one goes about a task can make the difference between being completely permissible to being a Biblical violation.
Borrer only applies in context of a mixture that is made up of Pesoles and Ochel. Whilst defined as waste, Pesoles does not have to be something inedible. Borrer will also exist when there is a mixture of two or more types of edible foods, where one wants one of the foods but not the other. In this case, the desired type is defined as Ochel and the undesired type is considered as Pesoles.
Criteria for Borrer
Removing the Pesoles from the Ochel is a Biblical Melacha, even if performed by hand and for immediate use. The only permissible Borrer on Shabbos will be where one removes the Ochel from the Pesoles – the desirable from undesirable, with the following qualifications.
Even when removing the Ochel from the Pesoles, this must be done “close to the meal”. If it is done earlier, this too is Biblically forbidden. For the purpose of our discussion, “close to the meal” is defined as being done just before the meal, without leaving time for doing any other activity in between.
Even when removing the Ochel from Pesoles close to the meal, this must be done by hand. If one were to use an implement that is designed specifically for performing separations, such as a strainer, colander or slotted spoon, this would also be Biblically forbidden. If one used a different type of vessel to facilitate the Borrer, such as using a pot-lid to strain the contents of the pot, this would be Rabbinically forbidden.
Where an implement is used to do an action that could have been done as easily by hand, the Keli is seen as an extension of one’s hand and is permissible. An example of this would be removing something with a spoon or fork or peeling an orange with a knife. If the Keli is used in a way that performs the separation more proficiently than if one did it by hand, it will remain forbidden. An example would be skimming fat off the top of soup with a spoon.
To summarise, for Borrer action to be permissible, it must satisfy three conditions.
- Taking the Ochel (the desirable)
- Beyad (with one’s hand)
- Miyad (for immediate use).
When these three criteria are met, the act is defined as “the manner of eating”, an activity which is permissible on Shabbos. In the absence of any of these three conditions, the action is defined as Borrer and will be forbidden.
One Type of Food
Borrer does not exist within one type of food itself, since there is no mixture. This only applies if the pieces or items are all completely edible. If some of the pieces are spoiled to the extent that they are inedible, they are considered Pesoles and their removal would be a Biblical prohibition. If the pieces are partially spoiled, such as wilted lettuce pieces which could technically be eaten, their removal is only Rabbinically forbidden.
The definition of being edible, like in most areas of Halacha, is determined by the opinion of the majority of people. In this case it would be whether most people would eat it or not.
The Case of the Peel
In the case of some foods, one cannot access the Ochel without first removing the Pesoles. Examples would include bananas, mandarins, and eggs. It is permissible to remove these peels even though one is removing the Pesoles from the Ochel, because in this case, this is the Derech Achilah – the normal and only manner of eating this food. Nonetheless, just as when removing the Ochel from the Pesoles, this must be done immediately prior to the meal and cannot be done with a unique implement.
A peeler is considered as a designated separating implement as it is made to remove undesirable peels. Use of a peeler to remove an inedible peel such as a kiwi fruit, would be a Biblical violation. Instead, one must peel the fruit by hand or cut away the peel with a knife. This must still be done close to the meal.
Edible Peels
Where the peel is considered edible by most people, the peel is considered as a fully edible part of the fruit and is not seen as a distinct unit. In this case there is no ‘mixture’ as there is only one ‘type’ of Ochel. Therefore, the Melacha of Borrer will not apply at all. Examples would include cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, peaches and pears, Since the Melacha of Borrer is not applicable, there are no further limitations. One may remove the peel even well in advance of the meal and may do so even using a Borrer-implement, which includes using a peeler.
Stricter Approach
There are Poskim who take a stricter approach and do not permit one to remove edible peels using a peeler, because right now they do not wish to eat the peel which will be discarded. It is not clear how their ruling can be reconciled with the Halacha of straining wine discussed above, where the white flecks or twigs are also intentionally being removed and will be discarded.
One should consult their personal Rabbi for a Halachic ruling on the use of peelers for fruits where the peel is edible. According to all opinions, one may not use a peeler for fruits whose peels are not eaten together with the fruit by most people.
Sources on the reverse
- Sefer Hazichronos
- Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:5
- Opinion of Rav Hamnuna Shabbos 74a, Rambam Laws of Shabbos 8:13, Shulchan Aruch 319:4, Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:1
- Opinion of Abaye Shabbos 74a, Rambam Laws of Shabbos 8:13, Shulchan Aruch 319:2, Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:2
- Opinion of Rav Yosef Shabbos 74a, Rambam Laws of Shabbos 8:12, Shulchan Aruch 319:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:1
- Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:4
- Based on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 321:19, Biur Halacha on 321:19
- Based on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 321:19
- See Shabbos Kehalacha for an explanation why using a knife is different to a peeler
- Eglei Tal, Borrer Seif 6, Ketzos Hashulchan 125:16
- Pri Megadim 321 Eshel Avraham 30, Eglei Tal Borrer Seif 6, Ketzos Hashulchan 125:16
- Eglei Tal ibid, Shvisas Hashabbos Borrer 45, Ketzos Hashulchan 125:16
- Shabbos 139b, Shulchan Aruch 319:10, Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:12
- 139b
- Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:14
- 319:10
- Ram”o based on Sema”g, Ra”n 57b, Shulchan Aruch Harav 319:13
- See Shabbos Kehalacha volume 2 p300 for a discussion as well as lenient opinions even in this case.
- Igros Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74 Borrer 8.
