Separating (I)

The next prohibition that I would like to discuss is borer, separating.  This is one of three melachos (main categories of prohibited actions on shabbos) that are very similar to one another.  These are borer, zore’ah (winnowing), and merakaid (sifting).  The main concept of all three of these is the separating of the undesired elements mixed in with the desired product.  The av melacha (main prohibition) of borer is separating pebbles from a pile of grain for the purpose of storing.  This differs from the other two melachos because zore’ah has an outside power (the wind) that contributes to the separation and merakaid is separating the desired flour from the undesired chunks using a tool.  Although there are differences between the three, they are sometimes used interchangeably.

Borer is different from many melachos in that the finest factor can change a particular action from being Biblically prohibited to completely permitted.  I hope to clarify the different aspects of the prohibition, including defining exactly what is permitted.