We have finished Klal 14 and are discussing a few points not mentioned in the Chayei Adam. Today, we will go back to touch on an idea from the beginning of the klal about eating grapefruits on Shabbos.
Grapefruits are not included in the category of grapes and olives, so according to most poskim, the schita is not deoraysa. If one eats the grapefruit by cutting it in half, such that they can scoop out a section or half-section at a time, there is inevitably a certain amount of schita taking place. Additionally, after eating the flesh of the wedge, there often are individual pearls of grapefruit which remain attached to the skin, and taking them off can often result in squeezing as well.
The Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa assumes none of these scenarios are issues of schita. First, the schita is derabanan. Second, the method of schita is kilachar yad, not the normal way to squeeze grapefruit. The normal method for squeezing would be to use a juicer or the like; using a spoon to scoop is not the normal method. Third, it is a davar she’eino miskavein, because it is not the person’s intent to squeeze the pearls.
Additionally, the Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa points out that many times, the liquid which comes out ends up going back into the fruit.
There are poskim who disagree with Rav Shlomo Zalman. Rav Binyamin Zilber holds that it will only be muttar if the person does not use the liquid which comes out. Although, generally, mashkin shezavu (liquids which flow out of a fruit) are not assur, over here, since the person was involved in squeezing out the liquid, it may be considered a psik reisha d’nicha lei. The Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa was not concerned about the liquid at all, since it was not done for that purpose. He understands that the person is doing it for the purpose of getting the fruit, and not for the purpose of squeezing the liquid. This is similar to kevashim and shelakos, where a person squeezes out the liquid for the purpose of the fruit, and it is muttar.
To be clear, it would be assur to squeeze the fruit for the purpose of extracting the liquid.
Although Rav Shlomo Zalman is matir, there are many poskim who are machmir, but one can rely on Rav Shlomo Zalman.
Summary
Although there are reasons to refrain from eating grapefruit on Shabbos, one can rely on the understanding of Rav Shlomo Zalman.
