1) It is prohibited to remove items from within a mixture for the purpose of sorting them, even if they are removed randomly with no preference for what item may come out first, as being that the entire purpose and intent of their removal is to then place each item in its designated place we deem the entire process as a prohibited Borer.
Thus, for example, one who wants to put away silverware that is in a mixture, may not randomly pull out a knife and put it away, pull out a spoon and put it away and so on and so forth until they all end up sorted and away in their designated places.
Likewise, if setting the table for a subsequent Shabbos meal, individual Silverware may not be randomly removed from within the mixture and placed in their correct place in the place setting. This may only be done if being done for the meal currently being eaten. (Unless they are first scattered as we learned yesterday)
2) However, if when each item is randomly removed from within the mixture, it is being done for a purpose other than sorting, it may then be placed in its correct place.
For example, if a pile of silverware has just been washed, and one piece is randomly picked in order to be dried, being that the drying is an end onto itself, it may subsequently be placed in its designated place. The same can be done for the next randomly chosen piece of silverware and so on and so forth until they are all dried, and put away. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 3:78 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. See also Ayil Meshulash Perek 11:5 quoting Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita who also rules this way. However, he also quotes Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita who does not agree with this leniency.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I know that applying lotion on shabbat is prohibited, but what about putting on Purell Instant hand-sanitizer?
Is this the same as liquid soap & therefore permitted?
Answer:
Yes, hand sanitizers are like liquid soap and not like lotion, and thus according to the Poskim who allow the use of liquid soap on Shabbos it would be permitted to use this hand sanitizer.
According to the Poskim that prohibit liquid soap on Shabbos, this hand sanitizer would be prohibited as well. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 113 and Shu"t Oz Nidberu Vol. 10 Siman 16)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
IMPORTANT LESSON:
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz.
I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke.
I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.
Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely, " said the professor.
"In your careers, and in life,you will meet many people. All are significant.
They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned hername was Dorothy.
Important Numbers
