Is one permitted to peel eggs on Shabbos; after
all it is removing the p’soles from the ochel?
For argument’s
sake we could ask where does it say one may peel fruit etc on Shabbos?’ The answer is
that the Rama says that it is
prohibited to peel garlic and onions for future consumption but permitted when peeling for
eating momentarily.
We see that peeling
is permitted; now we have to understand the mechanics. We have learned that whenever items
are in a mixture one must remove the ochel from the p’soles because in
this fashion it is Derech Achila. Peeling fruit,
vegetables or eggs in order to consume momentarily is also called Derech Achila.
When do you decide that peeling is Derech Achila
and other removals of p’soles
from ochel are Derech B'reira?
The Bi’ur
Halacha quotes the???? ????? saying that since one is eating in the normal
fashion and peeling is the only practical way to gain access to the food, and one’s
intention is merely to eat that which is within the peel, it is permitted.
Peeling a banana
prior to eating is not seen as ‘separating ochel from p’soles’
rather it is seen as a manner of eating. Even though technically, Rav Shlomo Zalman points
out, one can remove the food by cutting the fruit in half and scraping out the fruit from
within the peel thereby removing the ochel from the p’soles,
nevertheless peeling the banana peel or the orange peel is Derech Achila and
permitted.
What difference does it make whether done prior
to eating or for the future?
Prior to consumption
is called Derech Achila but when not prior to eating
one is improving and enhancing the food, the classical Borer, and is forbidden.
Why is one permitted to use a knife for peeling?
The basis for this
question is the fact that even when removing ochel from p’soles one
must use one’s hand and not a special k’li. Therefore it is imperative
for us to know whether a knife is a k’li or an extension of one’s hand.
Rav Moshe Feinstein Ztz”l
in the Igross Moshe says that a knife is
not a k’li for Borer. Even though one is able to remove a peel with a
knife far better than with one’s hands or fingers, Rav Moshe says it does not separate
better than one’s hands, one is using a knife because it can cut better - not
because it is a better separator. A sieve is a separator a knife is not.
Does it make a difference whether the peel is
edible or not?
The Magen Avraham
says that apples have
the same rule as onions and garlic, and one may only peel apples prior to consumption. The
P’ri Megadim asks on the M”A
that apple peels are edible and one should be permitted to peel even for future
consumption , because it is like cutting two parts of an apple in half. The Mishna Berura
quotes the M”A
as the main halacha notwithstanding that he quoted the P’ri Megadim
in the Sha’ar Ha’tsiun as a kushya. This means that even apples,
as all fruit with edible peels, may only be peeled prior to eating.
Is one permitted to use a peeler for
peeling fruit?
We must determine
whether a peeler is a sophisticated knife or a separator.
If we accept that a
peeler is a separator, i.e. it is a unique k’li for separating, then it is
forbidden to use it even prior to eating. Some poskim view a peeler in such a
light. I have recently heard
that Rav Moshe Feinstein viewed a peeler as nothing more than a sophisticated knife,
similar to his explanation above, and permitted using a peeler on Shabbos prior to
consumption.
One must ask
one’s rav as to the correct conduct on Shabbos.
According to the P’ri
Megadim above (edible peels) using a peeler is not an issue, because removing edible
peels is not Borer at all, but as mentioned we rule like the M”A.
Am I permitted to cut off a bad area of an
apple?
The bad area is
considered p’soles and may not be removed on its own. The way to do it is to
remove it together with some of the apple, thus removing p’soles together with
ochel. It makes sense that if most of the apple is bad; one is permitted to remove
the bad area on its own (prior to eating) because it is equal to a peel, which may be
removed prior to consumption, even though it is inedible.
