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...
Using an Outdoor Sink on Shabbat
Adjusting a Highchair, Assembling a Playpen, and Extending a Table on Shabbat
The Reward for Observing and Enjoying Shabbat; Spending Money for the Honor of Shabbat
One Who Speaks Before Drinking From the Kiddush Wine
May One Allow a Non-Jewish Contractor to Build on Shabbat?
Allowing Construction on Shabbat by Non-Jews in Cases of a Jewish-Owned Condominium and a Synagogue
Allowing a Doorman to Open an Electric Door When One Enters a Building on Shabbat
Housekeepers on Shabbat: Allowing Her to Leave With Her Suitcase, to Clear the Table After Se'uda Shelishit, and to Wring Water Out of a Mop
Boat Travel on Shabbat
Are Sunglasses Permitted On Shabbat, and Are Color Changing Sunglasses Prohibited From The Law of Sovea
Wearing or Winding a Wristwatch on Shabbat
May a Woman Eat or Drink on Shabbat Morning Before Hearing or Reciting Kiddush?
Crushing Ice on Shabbat; Walking on Ice or Snow on Shabbat
Defining the Term “Karmelit” With Regard to the Laws of Shabbat
Is it Permissible to Move Candlesticks on Shabbat After the Candles Have Burned Out?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found