Jewish Law

Daily Halacha: Dealing with Spoiled Grapes and Utensils on Shabbat

Is it okay to remove bad grapes or organize forks on Shabbat? Find out how borer applies to food and objects

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Is it permitted to sort spoiled grapes from a cluster on Shabbat?

On Shabbat, the halachic concept of borer—sorting or separating applies even to foods. If you have a cluster of grapes with some good and some spoiled, you should not remove the spoiled ones. Instead, the proper way to do it is to pick and eat the good grapes, leaving the bad ones behind. This way, you're not separating the undesirable from the desirable, which is what the Torah forbids.
This ruling is found in Chazon Ovadia.

Is it permitted to organize cutlery in drawers after washing them on Shabbat?

Yes, it is permissible to organize silverware or cutlery after washing, even if you're placing each type like forks, knives, and spoons in its specific drawer or slot. This is not considered borer.

Some halachic authorities explain that the rule of sorting mainly applies to items that grow from the ground, like food or produce. Also, when organizing cutlery, you’re not separating waste from food, and each item is equally usable and valuable, so there’s no issue of sorting in a forbidden way.
This is brought down in Chazon Ovadia, Volume 4, page 204.

From “Ach Tov VaChesed – Daily Halacha” by Hidabroot

Tags:ShabbatHalachaborer

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