#288: The Condition of “Biyad” – Slotted Spoons as Specialized Utensils

1. Although we learned yesterday that normal silverware may be used for permitted borer on Shabbat, most poskim do not allow using a slotted spoon, which is classified as a more specialized utensil for borer (Orchot Shabbat 3:74). Therefore, one may not use a slotted spoon when spooning out chicken from gravy, salad from dressing, and the like. Some Sephardic poskim do allow using it in the examples above, when separating solid from liquid (Ohr L’tzion 2:31).

2. Even Ashkenazi poskim allow using a slotted spoon in cases where the slots do not help to sort any foods (such as dishing kugel, rice, or cholent without liquid), or where it is used quickly enough that no liquid falls through the holes (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 3:58).

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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.