DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 610 KB)
Is It Permissible to Cut Fruit or Crush Ice on Shabbat?

It is prohibited to squeeze fruit on Shabbat. The question is whether one may cut fruit, which may cause juice to be extracted. For example, when making a fruit salad, there is usually juice that forms at the bottom.

The answer can be derived from a different case of crushing ice. Maran rules in accordance with the Rambam that crushing ice or snow on Shabbat is prohibited as an offshoot of "Sohet" (squeezing), since in both instances the action of squeezing extracts liquid. The Mishna Berura cites the Taz (Rabbi David Segal, Poland, 1586-1667) who holds that nevertheless, it is permitted to cut a cube of ice into smaller chips, even though water will form. The reason is that he does not have intent for the water and moreover, the water is going to be discarded.

Based on this precedent of ice, the Minhat Yishak (Rabbi Yishak Ya’akob Weiss, Jerusalem, 1902-1989) (4:99:2) permits cutting the fruit, since he does not have intent for the juice. This is also the position of the Shabbat Shelomo (p. 147).

SUMMARY
It is permitted to slice fruit on Shabbat, even though juice will be extracted.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Berit Mila – Omitting Vidui from the Prayer Service; The Song “Ata Ahubi”
Lighting Candles at a Berit Mila
Should the Father Wear Tefillin at a Berit Mila?
Is It Permissible To Be A Sandak Twice
Laws and Customs Regarding the Sandak
The Night Before a Berit Mila
The Two Stages of Circumcision at Brit Milah
Some Laws Governing The Timing Of A Bris When Health Issues of The Newborn Boy Are At Hand
Performing a Postponed Brit Milah Close to Shabbat
The Cup of Wine at a Berit Mila
Are Tahanunim Recited at Shaharit if a Berit is Scheduled for Later in the Day?
Being a Sandak at One’s Own Son’s Berit
The Procedure for a Pidyon Haben
The Value of Partaking of a Pidyon Haben Meal
Which Kohanim are Qualified to Accept Pidyon Haben Money?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found