Is it permissible to wash fruits and vegetables on Shabbat? Washing is done for the purpose of removing dirt, insecticides or other undesirable matter from the surface of the fruit of vegetables. At first glance, this might constitute a violation of Borer – the prohibition against separating undesirable substances from desirable substances on Shabbat.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, however, in his work Halichot Olam, rules that washing fruits and vegetables is permissible on Shabbat, provided that one washes them soon before the beginning of the meal for which they are prepared. This would mean that one may wash fruits and vegetables for Shabbat lunch starting from around the time people begin leaving the synagogue, or approximately an hour before the scheduled start of the meal.
This Halacha applies only to washing fruits or vegetables under running water. Soaking fruits or vegetables, however, is forbidden on Shabbat. People occasionally soak fruits such as grapes or cherries before serving them. This would not be permissible on Shabbat, even shortly before the fruits are served.
Summary: It is permissible to wash fruits and vegetables on Shabbat within an hour of the meal at which they will be served. One may not, however, soak fruits or vegetables on Shabbat.
