Definition of Tochen – Grinding
- The melacha of tochen relates to the act of grinding itself, as well as any other actions that reduce an item into small parts, such as cutting, crushing or mashing. This applies even if the crushed item then sticks together into one mass, such as when one mashes a banana (SSK 6:1). For simplicity we will either refer to tochen, or grinding, going forward.
Substances Tochen Can Apply To
- The melacha of tochen is not only applicable to foods; as such one may not crumble a lump of earth, or cut wood into small woodchips etc (SSK 6:1).
- When it comes to food, the prohibition of tochen applies to produce which grew from the ground, namely fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes etc.
- However, the prohibition does not apply to food which did not grow from the ground, namely eggs, meat and fish etc. As such these items may be mashed, crushed etc though not with a specialist implement (SSK 3:6, 14)
- Additionally, the prohibition does not apply to food which has been prepared from substances that grew from the ground but have already been ground, such as bread or biscuits, which are made from flour – this principle is known as ‘ein tochen achar tochen’ – ‘there is no (prohibition of) grinding after grinding (SSK 3:11).
Cutting Finely
- As mentioned above , fruits and vegetables may not be crushed or mashed on Shabbos due to the prohibition of tochen. However, they may be cut into smallish pieces so long as one
- a) does not do cut them very finely, rather one makes them somewhat large, AND
- b) one does so only for immediate use.
- The definition of ‘somewhat large’ in condition a) is debated, with some poskim defining this as pieces that are larger than one would normally prepare during the week and others defining this as pieces that still need chewing. The poskim also debate the permissibility of cutting fruit or vegetables into long but thin strips. Where relevant one should consult one’s Rav for practical guidance in these areas.
- However, those who cut fruit or vegetables very finely for children or those who will struggle to eat without this have opinions on whom to rely, as long as they do so immediately before consumption.
- ‘Immediate use’ per condition b) is defined in the same manner as we defined by borer. (SA 321:13, MB 45, Dirshu 60, SSK 6:6).
Mashing on Shabbos
- As mentioned in the introduction, mashing is also included under the prohibition of tochen. It is forbidden even if the item doesn’t noticeably separate out into small pieces and even if one does so for immediate use; therefore one may not mash bananas, tomoatoes etc. Additionally, under this prohibition one may not spread raw banana, avocado etc on a piece of bread.
- Very soft fruit or vegetables: An exception to this rule an is that it is permitted to mash the fruit where the fruit is already very soft, such that if one holds one part of it the rest of it falls apart so does not get drawn with the part that one is holding. This may occur if the fruit is over-ripe. Additionally, one may mash or spread fruit or vegetables that have become significantly softened and mashed via the cooking process. As such, one is permitted to spread jam on bread. In a similar vein, it is permitted to cut such food into very fine pieces. (SSK 6:7-9, 12 fn22)
- Mashing in a case of need: For someone who will find it difficult to eat the food otherwise, fruit etc may be mashed as long as one does so
- a) for immediate use and
- b) in an unusual manner -with a ‘shinuy’ – for example if one does so with a spoon, or the handle of the fork, rather than with its teeth.
- One should note in general that some poskim are lenient on mashing in the normal fashion for immediate use in a case of need; whilst SSK rules against this he does note these opinions and one should consult with one’s Rav where a case of need arises (SSK 6:8, fn21).
Specialist Implements
- Any implement which is designed for tochen, such as a grinder, grater, mill or pestle and mortar may not be used on Shabbos, even if one will eat the ground food immediately and even on substances where tochen doesn’t apply (as defined above).
- In a similar vein, one may not press cooked fruit or vegetables through a sieve in order to puree them, even when they have already become significantly softened via the cooking process such that tochen does not apply.
- SSK also forbids the use of large cutting knives such as cleavers, though notes this ruling is subject to dispute.
- However, he rules leniently on using egg cutters (made of a series of metal blades that one presses down on an egg held in place by the base) as he treats these as ‘meal utensils’ (ie like cutlery) (SSK 6:2, 3, 10, fn10).
Tochen in an Unusual Fashion
- A leniency found within the halachos of tochen is that if one does the action with two changes (‘shinuyim’) from the normal manner it becomes permitted.
- To grind in the normal fashion, one would usually have a specialist implement being used to grind and the grinding would be done on a specially designed surface, such as with a pestle and mortar.
- The two changes one must make to permit the act of grinding are thus:
- a) to use an atypical implement to grind the substance AND
- b) to do so on an atypical surface.
- For example, one may crush salt or spices which have never been previously crushed with the handle of knife on top of a plate or tabletop. (SSK 6:11)
