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We are beginning siman 4, where the Chayei Adam discusses straining water through a cloth. Based on what we have learned, there are two concerns. One is that even if the cloth is clean, there may be an issue of kibus. The other is the concern of sechita. In this specific case, there could also be a concern of borrer. However, we learned in hilchos borrer that if most people would drink the water as-is, there is no issur of borrer to strain it. Nevertheless, the first two issues still stand.
Regarding the concern of sechita, we learned (s577) that if the cloth is normally used for this purpose, there is no concern that one will feel compelled to squeeze it, since it is normally wet. Regarding the concern of melabein, the Chayei Adam writes that it will be assur to use the cloth, and even if the cloth is clean, there is still a concern of melabein. However, the Chayei Adam adds that if one has nothing to drink, one can rely on the opinion that there is no concept of melabein on a clean cloth, and one can use the cloth to strain the water.
If a person strains a small amount of water, they can address this issue of sechita, since the concern one will squeeze the cloth out will not apply. Additionally, if one strains the liquid directly into their mouth, since the process is performed as a draining process, it is also not considered libun and is muttar.
Going back to borrer, the reason there would be no concern for borrer is because people would drink the water as-is. If there are clear worms or bugs in the water, such that it cannot be drunk, the act of straining is tikkun and is assur. However, the Chayei Adam writes that if one strains the liquid directly into their mouth, it is muttar, because he is following the opinion of the Teshuvas Harosh that the issur of borrer is only relevant before eating. If the borrer occurs concurrently with eating, it is not considered borrer.
Nevertheless, one should not drink even a small amount through their sleeve, because the concern that one would squeeze would apply, since a person may be uncomfortable and want to squeeze their garment.
Summary
Regarding straining water, there are three potential concerns:
- Kibus/melabein of the straining cloth. This concern applies even if the cloth is clean. However, if one strains the liquid directly into their mouth, it is not considered kibus.
- If one does not have anything else to drink, they can rely on the opinions that kibus does not apply to a clean cloth and strain the liquid.
- Sechita of the straining cloth. This concern only applies to something not usually used for straining, such that one will feel compelled to squeeze it out to dry it.
- If one strains directly into their mouth, and strains only a small amount of liquid, this concern does not apply. However, if they use their sleeve, it will still apply.
- Borrer through the straining cloth. This concern only applies when the water cannot be drunk as-is. Even in that case, if one strains the liquid directly into their mouth, there is no concern for borrer.
