As discussed in previous weeks, the melocha of borer applies to a mixture of two different types. Within one type, however, there is no issue of borer. The Rama in 319:3 speaks of a serving platter of fish, some big and some small. There is no problem of “fishing” through the pieces to choose the one you want. To remove skin from the chicken would depend on the individual person. Generally, chicken with the skin is considered one type. Therefore, it would be permissible to remove the skin without regard to the laws of borer. If however one would never eat the skin for health considerations, or even if one does not like the taste of the skin, then the laws of borer would apply and the skin may only be removed prior to eating the chicken. Similarly, when eating an apple, to remove a rotten piece from the rest of the apple poses a problem of borer. The correct way to eat the apple is to either eat around the rotten part of the apple without actually removing it or to remove the rotten part along with a small section of the rest of the apple. (According to the Chazon Ish one would be required to remove a larger part of the apple; big enough that the part removed would normally be eaten on its own).

Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh Hyman Mir Yeshiva, Jerusalem- [email protected]