Question:
I had a question regarding the halachos of borer.
Suppose there is a ta'aroves of fruit, and my real intention is to separate one piece now because it would be more convenient to have it set aside for later, even though I do not plan to eat it until later. Obviously, I understand that selecting it solely for later use would not qualify as l'alter.
My question is whether, at the time I separate it, I could legitimately make an immediate use of the fruit by examining it—for example, looking at its color, checking its quality, or inspecting it for blemishes or other characteristics. Although my ultimate purpose is still to save it for later, I would in fact be using it immediately by studying or inspecting it.
Would that immediate act of examination qualify as a sufficient present use to permit the selection, or is this considered merely a way of circumventing the requirement of l'alter, since the primary motivation for separating it was to save it for later?
More generally, would the same question apply to other objects? If a person removes an item from a mixture intending to keep it for later, but immediately examines or studies its physical properties, could that inspection itself constitute l'alter, or is the selection still viewed as being for later use?
Answer:
Hello,
The selection should be used in some real way, not merely looked at, in order to call it a use.
Best wishes
Sources:
