Selecting Large Items on Shabbat
Question
that there is no prohibition of borer/selection regarding large items.
Please, three questions:
1] What is the main source for this rule?
Is it:
“And there he explained that although at first glance the term ‘selection’ applies only when things have become mixed
and are not distinguishable, and so it is implied from the wording of the Mordechai,
and if so, since the fish are large pieces and each one is recognizable on its own, the concept of selection does not apply,
nevertheless, one should not be lenient without clear proof, see there, and therefore our teacher the Rema stated it in general terms.”
[from Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chaim, siman 319, se’if 17].
2] From what measurements of length, width, height is something considered large enough?
3] If there is no prohibition of selection with sufficiently large items,
would it help to look from very close up
and/or by means of a magnifying glass with an especially wide field and strong magnification
at small items, in order to enlarge how they appear,
and thereby permit selecting waste from food and/or by means of a utensil and/or not for immediate use?
Thank you.
Answer
Shalom u’vracha,
1. The source cited by the Aruch HaShulchan is the Terumat HaDeshen (siman 57), which is brought by the Rema (Orach Chaim, siman 319, se’if 3).
2. There is no specific measurement; it depends on the nature of the mixture. For example, a liter‑and‑a‑half bottle of drink lying in a deep popsicle freezer together with dozens of other bottles is certainly considered “mixed,” despite its size.
Conversely, a portion of fish lying on a plate with rice and peas is not considered a mixture, since it is clearly visible and well distinguished.
3. That would not help. The issue is that there must be discernment and clarification as to what you are taking, and the items are not separated from one another by their form; this applies in such a case as well.
