#252: Squeezing Lemons and Distinction of Lemons from Other Fruits

1. We mentioned two opinions yesterday concerning squeezing lemons on Shabbat. Some Ashkenazi poskim take a third, stricter approach, and do not allow squeezing lemons onto sugar if one intends to then pour it into another liquid or into an empty cup (Chazon Ish, R. Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, quoted by R. Chaim Jachter, “Gray Matter,” Volume 2; https://www.sefaria.org/Gray_Matter_II,_Laws_of_Shabbat,_Squeezing_Lemons_on_Shabbat). However, the more accepted Ashkenazi approach is the second mentioned yesterday—that squeezing lemons into sugar or a solid food is permitted, while squeezing it into a liquid or empty cup is forbidden.

2. Even according to those who allow squeezing lemons onto sugar, one may not squeeze other fruits, such as grapefruit, onto sugar. This is due to a combination of reasons: A) Some allow squeezing lemons normally, even into an empty cup or into another liquid, which is not permitted when squeezing other fruits and B) The squeezed lemon juice only enhances the sugar, and is similar to squeezing liquid onto a solid (which is permitted, as will be discussed further tomorrow), but the squeezed grapefruit juice is edible on its own, and is not considered to be enhancing a solid (Igrot Moshe 5:24).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.