Question:
In shul I notice many use two plates instead of one by accident. Am I allowed to take the clean plate on the bottom to save it is it borer.
Answer:
Hello,
One of the rules of borer is that when we have two items of the same type, even if one is preferred, they may be separated from each other. Therefore, you can separate the two plates because they are the same type. The fact that one plate is “used” doesn’t inherently make it a different type, because it can be washed off, and the person who used it can reuse it for another portion, etc. Therefore, they may be separated.
Best wishes
Sources:
או"ח ס' שי"ט סע' ג'.
