May one use a straining bowl, spoon, or pot on Shabbos?

May one use a strainer or straining spoon or straining pot on Shabbos:[1]

A. Background laws:

The prohibition to separate using a utensil:[2] One who separates through the use of a vessel, is Biblically liable for the Borer prohibition if the vessel is designated for Borer purposes, such as a sieve and sifter.[3] This applies even if he uses the vessel to separate the good from the bad for immediate use. If, however, it is not designated for separating, such as a Knon[4] or a plate, then it is only Rabbinically forbidden.[5] [The same applies for any irregular Borer utensil, that it is only Rabbinically forbidden to be used, while a regular Borer utensil is Biblically forbidden.]

The definition of a mixture when a solid is within a liquid: Small solids retain all the Borer restrictions with regards to removing them from liquid or vice versa.[6] [Thus, separating small pieces of onion, chicken, vegetables from soup contains the Borer restrictions. Likewise, removing a fly or hair from a liquid contains the Borer restrictions.] However, solid pieces which are large and thus individually recognizable from amongst the liquid, are not considered a mixture with the liquid and the Borer restrictions thus do not apply.[7]  [However, this only applies if the solid that one wants to remove is not mixed with other solids, as in such a case, if one desires to select one solid from amongst another, the Borer restrictions would apply, as the solids are considered a mixture with each other, irrelevant of the liquid.] The following are some practical examples:

• Vegetable or chicken soup: The large solids are not defined as mixed with the broth, although they are considered mixed with the other solids. The small solids are considered mixed even with the liquid.
• Hardboiled eggs within water: Are not defined as mixed and the Borer restrictions thus do not apply.
• Pasta within water: Is defined as mixed unless the Pasta pieces is very large [i.e. lasagna].
• Canned whole pickles/sardines/eggplant: Are not defined as mixed and the Borer restrictions thus do not apply.
• Canned cut pieces of pickles/sardines/eggplant: Are defined as mixed.
• Canned olives: Are defined as mixed and thus retain all the separating restrictions.
• Canned Tuna: Is defined as mixed and thus retains all the separating restrictions.

B. The general law:

A strainer vessel is considered designated for separation and is thus forbidden to be used to separate any food from liquid if the solid and liquid are defined as mixed.[8] However, it may be used to separate solids from liquids if the solid and liquid are not defined as mixed.[9] Although some are stringent case to never use a straining device on Shabbos even by mixtures that are not defined as mixed.[10]

C. The law by a strainer bowl and drainer basket:

May one pour fruits or other foods that are within water into a strainer in order to strain out the water?[11] Such a vessel is considered designated for separation and is thus forbidden to be used to separate any food from liquid if the solid and liquid are defined as mixed.[12] Thus, those fruits which are small and are thus considered mixed with the water, such as blueberries and the like, may not be poured into a strainer. However, large fruits, such as apples and the like, may be poured into a strainer being that they are too big to be considered mixed with the water and thus do not contain the separating restrictions.[13] Nonetheless, some are stringent in this matter to never use a straining device even when allowed.[14]

Rinsing away twigs and earth from a basket of fruits:[15] It is forbidden to use the water to wash away dirt that is mixed between the fruits and vegetables and is not stuck onto it. [Hence, one may not place grapes into a strainer and rinse them underwater for the sake of rinsing away their stems and the like. This applies even if the fruit is large. However, seemingly, it is permitted to place fruits in a strainer in order to rinse off the pesticide, bugs, or dirt which is stuck on a fruit or vegetable so long as one plans to eat the fruit right away.[16]]

D. The law by a strainer pot:

Vegetable steamer[17]-May the strainer together with its vegetables be removed from amongst the liquid on Shabbos?[18] This has the same laws and limitations as a strainer spoon, and hence is dependent on the size of the vegetables. If all of the vegetables are cut into large pieces then it is permitted to do so, while if they are cut into small pieces, then it is forbidden.

May one pour from a tea pot that has a strainer on its top to prevent the leaves from falling in the cup?[19] It is permitted to pour tea up until the bottom level of the pot where the tea is mixed with the leaves.[20] Regarding if one may pour out the tea past this point[21], many Poskim[22] permit doing so.[23] [This applies even according to the ruling of Admur in the Siddur which views that the food which is left in the pot is considered that which is separated, and thus should ideally be prohibited[24]]. However, others[25] rule that one is to be stringent. In any event when relying on the lenient opinions he should only do so for right away use.[26]

E. The law by a strainer spoon:

May one use a strainer spoon[27] on Shabbos to remove a food which is within liquid?[28] Such a vessel is considered designated for separation and is thus forbidden to be used to separate any food from liquid if the solid and liquid are defined as mixed.[29] Thus, one may not use it in order to remove the solids from a vegetable soup or Chulent, unless the solids in the soup are all very large such as large cuts of meat and potatoes, or whole eggs, and it contains no small pieces.

May one use a strainer spoon if no other spoon is available? One is to be stringent to not use a strainer spoon [in mixtures defined as mixed as stated above] even if no other spoon is available and one simply desires to use it due to lack of choice and not in order to separate.[30] However, there are Poskim[31] who are lenient in this matter if in truth one does not desire to separate between the food and gravy and simply has no other spoon available.

F. If one is interested in both foods right away, may he separate them with a strainer?[32]

• For example, if one has soup and would like to serve the liquid separately from the vegetables which he will also serve, may he use a strainer to remove the vegetables?

This matter is disputed amongst Poskim.[33] Practically one is to be stringent. 

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[1] See Admur 319:1; Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 111, 355-358; Piskeiy Teshuvos 319:17

[2] Admur 319:1 “As well, one who separates food from waste with a sieve or sifter is Biblically liable even if one did so in order to eat the food right away.”; Michaber 319:1

[3] The reason: The reason for this is because using a sieve or sifter is the common form of sifting food [and is thus not considered a form of eating but rather a form of preparation]. [Admur ibid]

^[4] This refers to a wooden tube which is wide on top and narrow on bottom. One places the legumes in from the wide part and then shakes off its peels and the legumes fallout from the narrow bottom while the peels remain inside. Nevertheless, this item is only Rabbinically forbidden as it is not the commonly used item for Borer, and is hence considered a Shinuiy, which makes the Melacha only Rabbinical. [Rashi in Shabbos 74a; M”B 319:2] Vetzaruch Iyun as to why a Knon is only Rabbinical, is it because it is considered 1) a shinuiy, or 2) is not a manufacturers choice vessel, or 3) it has other usages and is not designated for separating per say.

[5] Admur 319:1 “If one separated the food from the waste with a Knon or a plate then he is Biblically exempt [from liability] although it is Rabbinically forbidden to be done due to a decree [that one may come to use] a sieve and sifter.”

[6] So is proven from Admur 319:24; Admur in Siddur; Taz 319:13; 506:3; M”B 319:61 and all Poskim who discuss the methods of removing a fly from a soup in a way that will not transgress the Borer restrictions.

[7] Shevisas Hashabbos Borer 18; Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 14 and 126 footnote 19; Az Nidbaru 4:21; Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 111; Piskeiy Teshuvos 319:17; Nishmas Shabbos 179; See however Kaneh Bosem 3:19 regarding pickles in a can

[8] Shevisas Hashabbos brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 28; Rav SZ”A in SSH”K 3 footnote 156; Shevet Halevi 8:58; Nishmas Shabbos 179; Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 355-358; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid;

What is considered to be taken when using a strainer-the solid or liquid? See Or Letziyon 2:31-10 and Chemdas Yosef 184 for a discussion on whether we view the act of a strainer as to be removing the liquid which is the bad, and would hence be forbidden due to this reason, or as taking the solid which is the good and hence would at least fulfill this condition of Borer. Practically, they are lenient in this matter based on the rulings of Admur in his Siddur to consider it that one has taken the food and not the liquid

Other opinions: Some Poskim permit the use of a strainer on Shabbos on the basis that a) some opinions there is no Borer with liquids and b) it is not a biblical vessel but rather rabbinical like a Knon and Tamchuiy, and hence by rabbinical prohibition one may be lenient in a case of doubt [Or Letziyon 2:31-10; Chemdas Yosef 184]

[9] Nishmas Shabbos Borer 179; Shabbos Kehalacha ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[10] See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 126; Shevet Halevi 8:58; Koveitz Mibeis Levi 6:42 footnote 6; See Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 14 [regarding Lo Pelug in a similar case, Vetzaruch Iyun on understanding of Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid, as seemingly the Ketzos ibid is referring to a case of a real mixture, unlike our case];

[11] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 358; Nishmas Shabbos 179; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[12] Shabbos Kehalacha; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[13] Nishmas Shabbos 179

[14] See Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 14;

[15] Implication of all Poskim ibid who write the allowance is due to it being similar to peeling some fruit, which is Derech Achila, hence implying that if the dirt is not stuck to the fruit then the allowance does not apply; Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 358 ; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[16] See Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 16; 146 footnote 50-10 p. 109 and 116; Igleiy Tal Borer 16; Rav Poalim 1:16; Igros Moshe O.C. 1:125; Shulchan Shlomo 319:17; Shabbos Kehalacha ibid

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that it is forbidden to rinse the dirt off the fruits or vegetables just as it is forbidden to soak them. [Diveiv Meisharim 3:10; Ayil Meshulash 15:3 in name of Chazon Ish; Shevet Hazlevi 1:52]

[17] This refers to a pot which contains a strainer inside into which the solids are placed into in order to cook through steam of the water that is placed inside the pot

[18] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 357

[19] See Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 368; Piskeiy Teshuvos 319:38

[20] As is always the rule regarding pouring one thing from another, as the fact that there is a strainer on the top of the pot does not make a difference in this regard.

[21] The problems faced in doing so is that a) one is separating with a vessel [the strainer that is attached to the top of the kettle] and b) According to Admur in Siddur one is separating the bad from the good.

[22] Shevisas Shabbos Borer 29 and 49 is Milameid Zechus, although brings from Rav Zonenfeld to be initially stringent; Chazon Ish 53, Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 21; Rav SZ”A in SSH”K 3 footnote 125; Shabbos Kehalacha ibid

[23] The reason: The problems mentioned in the previous footnote are answered in the following ways according to the lenient opinions: a) The tea leaves are fit to be drank together with the liquid [by most people] and thus it is permitted to strain the liquid from it, as is explained in the laws of straining. [Shevisas Hashabbos ibid; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid] b) One does not intend to separate the leaves from the tea but rather just to drink the tea. [Ketzos Hashulchan ibid; Chazon Ish ibid] c) A vessel which is designated to separate for only right away use, as is a kettle, is not included in the separating restrictions. [Rav SZ”A in SSH”K ibid].

[24] Shabbos Kehalacha ibid and so is proven from the fact that the Ketzos Hashulchan which rules like Admur in the Siddur rules that it is allowed in our case for the reasons mentioned in the previous footnote.

[25] Chayeh Adam 16; Sheivet Haleivy 1:84; Poskim brought in Kaf Hachaim 319:113

[26] So rules Rav Farkash, as then one can also join in the reason of Rav SZ”A mentioned in the previous footnotes.

[27] A spoon with small holes made to strain the liquid of the food removed

[28] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 151; p. 355-359; Shevet Halevi 8:58

[29] Shabbos Kehalacha; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

Other opinions: Some Poskim permit the use of a strainer on Shabbos on the basis that a) some opinions there is no Borer with liquids and b) it is not a biblical vessel but rather rabbinical like a Knon and Tamchuiy, and hence by rabbinical prohibition one may be lenient in a case of doubt [Or Letziyon 2:31-10; Chemdas Yosef 184]

[30] Shabbos Kehalacha 14:20

[31] Rav SZ”A brought in Shulchan Shlomo 319:20; Or Letziyon 2:31-10; Chemdas Yosef 184

[32] Shabbos Kehalacha Vol. 2 p. 191; See 12:78, 80 and footnote 174

[33] Some Poskim rule it is permitted, or questionable. [P”M 319 M”Z 2 and 12] Others rule it is forbidden. [Tehila ledavid; Biur Halacha “Hayu Lefanav”]