One
of the requirements in order to do Borer (selecting) on Shabbos, in a
permissible manner, is that it needs to be used right away (MiYad). If
you need to take something out of a freezer full of items and it would
requires borer, is it a problem that the frozen food needs to thaw and
you cannot eat it immediately?
The Orchos Shabbos (3:54) says
that Rav Elyashiv and Rav Nissim Karelitz both pasken that it is assur, since it
doesn't pass the immediacy test. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach holds that
waiting for it to thaw is still called eating it right away, as long as
it is the kind of food that you need to thaw right before the eating.
In that case the time of thawing is part of the eating process. If you
can let it thaw any time then the thawing is not considered one process
with eating, and in that case he would agree with Rav Elyashiv that you
cannot select it.
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our
ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. Please
also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this
topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
This
article has not been reviewed by the posek of the AskRevach section,
Rav Peretz Moncharsh. Any questions regarding this topic and Halacha
L’Maaseh may be asked to him at www.revach.net/ask
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