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Rav Eliyahu Reingold, Rosh Kollel in the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, spent many years learning in the Telshe Yeshiva and Kollel where he was recognized as one of their foremost talmidim. He taught in the Telshe Mechina before coming to the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. He is a noted Baal Halacha and Baal Mussar, serving as a well-respected posek for the Yeshiva and community. Besides his responsibility in leading the Kollel, he delivers a high level shiur to advanced students, and provides many halacha shiurim throughout the year. His heartfelt weekly mussar shmuess in an inspiration to all.
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Dosh 5 - Squeezing Fruits 2 (Klal 14 Siman 2) Hilchos Shabbos - S0367
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We are continuing in siman 2, where the Chayei Adam discusses sechita, which is a toldah of dosh. The Chayei Adam writes that mideoraysa, only fruits which are primarily used for their liquids fall under the issur of sechita. We learned yesterday that these fruits are olives and grapes. Regarding raisins, the Chayei Adam writes that although raisins are primarily consumed as a food, when they are squeezed, it is to make wine, and is no different than wine from grapes.
The logic being this toldah is that we consider removing the liquid from the shell as akin to removing the grain from the husk.
The language of the Chayei Adam is challenging and needs explanation. We learned that there are two explanations as to why grapes and olives are unique over other fruit juices. One, based on Rashi, was that these are items which were normally squeezed for their liquids. If so, this concept would not be limited to just grapes and olives, but would apply to any fruit which is normally squeezed for its juice. Thus, for example, nowadays it is normal to squeeze oranges for orange juice, so squeezing oranges on Shabbos would fall under the issur deoraysa of sechita.
The second explanation, based on the Rambam, is that wine and oil are the only two items which the Torah gives the status of mashkeh. The second explanation fits with the beginning of the Chayei Adam over here, where he says that raisins are used as a mashkeh. However, he continues and writes that people do not use raisins as a mashkeh, but that it is still mashkeh because the liquid squeezed from it is considered wine. These words sound like the first explanation, that only that which people normally use as a liquid would fall under the issur deoraysa of sechita. Raisins highlight the difference between the two explanations, in that according to the first explanation, it would not fall under the issur deoraysa, but according to the second explanation, it would.
It seems that the Chayei Adam is combining the two opinions, and being machmir for both of them.
The Gemara discusses three types of fruits. There are olives and grapes on the one hand, fruits which are not squeezed at all on the other hand, and things in the middle, such as berries and pomegranates. This middle category includes fruits which are occasionally squeezed. The Gemara implies that this middle category is assur miderabanan. Although the Shulchan Aruch and Mishnah Berurah, among others, mention this third category, the Chayei Adam omits it. Thus, even those who understand that the Chayei Adam is being machmir for both opinions (Rashi and Rambam), we can understand that for us this chumrah is only miderabanan. Thus, one can assume that anything other than grapes and olives is an issur derabanan since they are not used as a liquid to the same extent as olives and wine.
We will explain more in upcoming shiurim.
Summary
Mideoraysa, sechita only applies to oil and wine, since the meat of those fruits is considered to be like a shell to the main part (the liquid) rather than the main component of the fruit.
This is unique to grapes and olives either because
Only olive oil and grape juice (wine) are considered as mashke, something distinct from the fruit itself
Only grapes and olives were used primarily for their liquid at the time of Chazal.
Squeezing other fruits, including raisins, may only be an issur derabanan.