In the previous Halacha we have briefly discussed some details regarding the laws of selecting on Shabbat. We shall now continue discussing additional details regarding the laws of selecting.
Peeling Garlic on Shabbat
We have been asked whether it is permissible to peel garlic on Shabbat, for the Talmud Yerushalmi (Shabbat, Chapter 7, Halacha 2) states that one who peels garlic on Shabbat initially transgresses the prohibition of threshing only then to transgress the prohibition of selecting. Nevertheless, the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol writes that peeling onions and garlic on Shabbat is not forbidden based on this Yerushalmi, for the Yerushalmi is only speaking about a case where one is peeling the garlic in order to eat it later during another meal; however, if one is peeling the garlic and intends to eat it “immediately” (a maximum timespan of a half-hour), it is not prohibited. Maran Ha’Bet Yosef (Chapter 321) writes that although by peeling garlic one is certainly selecting “waste from food,” for the “waste,” i.e. the peel, surrounds the garlic from all sides, it is nevertheless not prohibited since this is the normal way to eat garlic and this is not considered a “selecting manner.” Thus, halachically speaking, one may peel garlic on Shabbat in order to eat it immediately. (Chazon Ovadia-Shabbat Part 4, page 193)
Peeling Eggs on Shabbat
Just as we have explained regarding peeling garlic on Shabbat that this is only permissible when one intends to eat the garlic immediately, similarly, one may only be lenient to peel eggs on Shabbat when one intends to eat them immediately, i.e. that the meal will begin no later than a half-hour from the time of the peeling. Although Hagaon Harav Shalom Messas zt”l writes in his Responsa Shemesh U’Magen (Volume 1, Chapter 15) that one may be lenient and peel eggs even if he intends to eat them in a long while, nevertheless, most contemporary Poskim have rejected his opinion. Indeed, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rules that one may not be lenient to peel eggs on Shabbat unless he plans on eating them “immediately.” (ibid.)
Removing Skin off Chicken
Question: Is one permitted to remove the skin of the chicken from the chicken on Shabbat if one does not enjoy eating it?
Answer: Although the skin of the chicken is considered waste regarding the chicken itself and it should thus be forbidden to remove it on Shabbat, nevertheless, since the skin is attached to the chicken, it is similar to peeling a fruit and cutting a fruit in half to which the prohibition of selecting does not apply so much. There are indeed additional reasons to be lenient in this matter. Thus, Maran zt”l rules in his Chazon Ovadia (page 195) that one may peel the skin off while eating the chicken.
In the following Halacha we shall, G-d-willing, conclude the laws of selecting on Shabbat.
