Using Cutlery on Shabbos
Question: How do you set the table with cutlery on Shabbos?
Discussion: It is forbidden to pick individual pieces out of a jumble of silverware and set them on the table in their correct positions. It is permitted, however, to do so if it is done immediately prior to the meal. For example, if the meal is supposed to start at twelve o’clock, and it takes about thirty minutes to prepare for the meal, then the table may be set at about 11:30, but not earlier.54 Even if the lady of the house would like to set her table before going to shul, it is forbidden for her to do so.55
When the silverware is not mixed together (but is being taken straight out of the organizer), it is permitted to take each type of implement and set it on the table in its desired place. But it is prohibited to take different types of silverware from their individual compartments, allow them to mix together in one’s hand, and then set them on the table in their correct place. If it is done immediately before the meal, however, then this, too, is permitted.
Question: How do you wash, dry and put away silverware on Shabbos?
Discussion: Silverware may not be sorted, for sorting violates the prohibition of borer. Accordingly, when silverware is placed in a dishwasher, it must be loaded randomly. Even if the pieces of silverware were improperly positioned in the dishwasher, they may not be rearranged per size and type.56
Assorted cutlery which has been washed and dried may not be sorted and put away in any type of silverware organizer.
It is prohibited to pick out of the sink several [or all] of the items of one type (e.g., spoons), wash and dry them, and put them away in their allotted compartments57.
It is prohibited to pick up assorted pieces of silverware out of the sink or off the drain board, dry each piece individually, and then place it in its allotted compartment58.
But it is permitted, in the opinion of several poskim, to pick up and dry each piece of cutlery separately, as it comes randomly out of the sink or drain board, and put it directly in its compartment, even if the original intention was to sort the cutlery.59 This is permitted because the individual piece is being lifted out of the sink to be dried, and not specifically to be sorted.
It is permitted to pick up a jumble of mixed silverware and throw it across the table so that the individual forks, spoons and knives scatter and separate. Once the pieces are no longer mixed in a jumble, they may be sorted and put away into their compartments.60
Question: If a spoon or a fork accidentally fell into the garbage on Shabbos, is it permitted to remove it?
Discussion: It depends on where in the garbage bag the spoon or fork landed. If it landed way into the bag and got mixed with the garbage, one may remove it only if it will be washed and used immediately. Otherwise, it is considered as if one “selected” an item on Shabbos for later use, which is a violation of borer, selecting, and strictly forbidden
Sifting through the garbage and then pulling the utensil out could also be a violation of muktzeh. Garbage, generally, is “severe muktzeh”61 and may not be directly moved with one’s hands even for the purpose of locating a missing utensil. It is advisable, therefore, to leave the lost spoon in the garbage until after Shabbos is over. Alternatively, the garbage can or bag may be dumped on the floor62 and its contents scattered, thus separating the fork or spoon from the garbage.
If, however, the spoon fell into the garbage but landed on top, it is permitted to remove it even without using it immediately, for the spoon and the garbage are not “mixed together” and the melachah of borer is not being violated. The issue of moving muktzeh is also not applicable, since the spoon can be lifted out without any garbage being directly moved.63
The same halachos apply when a small kiddush cup (or any small utensil) gets rolled up into a disposable plastic tablecloth. If the kiddush cup is mixed together with the leftover garbage, it may not be removed unless it would be used immediately. If, however, it got rolled up into the tablecloth but did not get mixed together with the garbage, one may remove it, as no Shabbos prohibition (neither borer nor the prohibition of muktzeh) is being transgressed.
Question: On Shabbos, is there a halachic concern to use disposable plastic cutlery or cups which sometimes melt and twist when coming in contact with very hot food or liquid?
Discussion: Although “melting” is considered a form of bishul and is forbidden on Shabbos min ha-Torah,64 most poskim maintain that using disposable plastic items with hot food or liquid is not like “melting” at all and is permitted l’chatchilah. Several explanations are given: 1) “Melting” is only forbidden when one intends or desires the melting to take place. In this case, one has no intention or desire for the cup or spoon to melt or bend.65 2) “Melting” applies when an item is heated up to the degree that it becomes soft enough to change its shape or form; a plastic cup or spoon which crumples and softens when encountering hot food or liquid is not like “melting” at all66. Still, a minority view differs and maintains that when the food or liquid is hot enough to the degree that there is no doubt that the spoon or cup will melt or crumple, it is forbidden to do so on Shabbos67.
54. Igros Moshe, O.C. 4:74-13; Rav Y.S. Elyashiv and Rav N. Karelitz (quoted in Ayil Meshulash, pg. 118). There is a minority view which holds that it is permitted to begin the preparation half an hour before the meal even if the actual preparation does not take that long (Rav S. Wosner, Koveitz mi-Beis Levi 6, Borer 2).
55. Mishnah Berurah 321:45.
56. Igros Moshe, O.C. 4-74 (Rechitzah 4);
57. But if it is easier to wash or rinse the cutlery when they are all of the same type, it is permitted; Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 3, note 232.
58. See previous note.
59. Rav S.Z. Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 3:85); Rav N. Karelitz (Ayil Meshulash 11:5). See also Otzros ha-Shabbos (Borer 74) quoting Rav S. Wosner; Machazeh Eliyahu 1:50. Some other poskim, however, are hesitant about this leniency (see Ayil Meshulash, ibid., quoting Rav Y.S. Elyashiv).
60. Shevisas ha-Shabbos (Borer 34); Igros Moshe, O.C. 4-74 (Borer 11); Rav S.Z. Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 3, note 6); Ayil Meshulash 9:25. See, however, Ashrei ha-Ish (Borer 8) who forbids doing so.
61. See CHD to Chapter 308 for an explanation of this term.
62. This option can only be used if the can or bag was empty of all garbage during bein hashmashos, as explained in Chapter 309.
63.Ashrei ha-Ish (Borer 58); Orchos Shabbos 3:20.
64. Mishnah Berurah 318:1, quoting Rambam, Hilchos Shabbos 9:1. This includes using heat to melt down or change the shape of any metal, tar, wax or similar material.
65. Shevet ha-Levi 8:57; Kinyan Torah 7:24.
66. Shulchan Shlomo 318: 1-7, note 6; Ashrei ha-Ish (bishul 34).
67. Chut Shani 29:4.