Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we begin learning the specific halachos of the thirty-nine melachos of Shabbos, starting with the very first melachos of the agricultural order. The Rambam takes us through the details of Choresh (plowing), Zore'a (sowing), and Kotzer (reaping), showing us how these avos melachos and their toldos (derivatives) apply in our daily lives.
We will learn how even the slightest bit of weeding, pruning, or leveling the ground can fall under the prohibition of plowing or sowing, depending on one's intent to improve the land or the tree. The chapter also clarifies the guidelines for reaping, including the status of plants growing in perforated versus unperforated flower pots, and how a single action can sometimes carry a double liability for both reaping and planting.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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אִסּוּר חוֹרֵשׁ וְתוֹלְדוֹתָיו בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Plowing and Its Derivatives on Shabbos
הַחוֹרֵשׁOne who plowsכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountחַיָּב.is liableהַמְנַכֵּשׁOne who weedsבְּעִקְּרֵיat the roots ofהָאִילָנוֹתthe treesוְהַמְקַרְסֵםand one who cutsעֲשָׂבִיםgrassesאוֹorהַמְזָרֵדone who prunesאֶת—הַשָּׂרִיגִיםthe shootsכְּדֵיin orderלְיַפּוֹתto beautifyאֶת—הַקַּרְקַעthe groundהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofחוֹרֵשׁplowingוּמִשֶּׁיַּעֲשֶׂהand from when he doesכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountחַיָּב.is liableוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמַּשְׁוֶהone who levelsפְּנֵיthe surface ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁהִשְׁפִּילthat he loweredהַתֵּלthe moundוְרִדְּדוֹand flattened itאוֹorמִלֵּאfilledהַגַּיְאthe valleyחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofחוֹרֵשׁ.plowingוְשִׁעוּרוֹand its measureכָּלis anyשֶׁהוּא.amountוְכֵןAnd likewiseכָּלanyoneהַמַּשְׁוֶהwho levelsגֻּמּוֹתcavitiesשִׁעוּרוֹits measureכָּלis anyשֶׁהוּא:amount
This halacha defines the primary labor of plowing and its derivatives, such as weeding, pruning, and leveling the ground, all of which carry liability for even the slightest amount.
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אִסּוּר זוֹרֵעַ וְתוֹלְדוֹתָיו בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · The Prohibition of Sowing and its Derivatives on Shabbos
הַזּוֹרֵעַOne who sowsכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountחַיָּב.is liableהַזּוֹמֵרOne who prunesאֶת—הָאִילָןthe treeכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּצְמַחthat it growהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֵעֵיןis similar toזוֹרֵעַ.sowingאֲבָלButהַמַּשְׁקֶהone who watersצְמָחִיןplantsוְאִילָנוֹתand treesבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeזוֹרֵעַof sowingוְחַיָּבand is liableבְּכָלfor anyשֶׁהוּא.amountוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַשּׁוֹרֶהone who soaksחִטִּיןwheatוּשְׂעוֹרִיןand barleyוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןin themבַּמַּיִםin waterהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeזוֹרֵעַof sowingוְחַיָּבand is liableבְּכָלfor anyשֶׁהוּא:amount
This halacha defines the primary labor of sowing and its derivatives, such as pruning, watering, and soaking seeds on Shabbos.
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אִסּוּר קוֹצֵר וְתוֹלֵשׁ מִן הַקַּרְקַע וּמֵעָצִיץ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 3 · The Prohibition of Reaping and Plucking from the Ground and from a Flowerpot on Shabbos
הַקּוֹצֵרOne who reapsכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּב.is liableוְתוֹלֵשׁand pluckingתּוֹלֶדֶתa derivativeקוֹצֵרof reapingהוּא.it isוְכָלand anyoneהָעוֹקֵרwho uprootsדָּבָרa thingמִגִּדּוּלוֹfrom its growthחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofקוֹצֵר.reapingלְפִיכָךְThereforeצְרוֹרa pebbleשֶׁעָלוּthat grewבּוֹon itעֲשָׂבִיםgrassesוּכְשׁוּתand dodderשֶׁעָלָהthat grewבַּסְּנֶהon the thorn-bushוַעֲשָׂבִיםand grassesשֶׁצָּמְחוּthat sproutedעַלonגַּבtop ofהֶחָבִית.the barrelהַתּוֹלֵשׁone who plucksמֵהֶןfrom themחַיָּבis liableשֶׁזֶּהfor thisהוּאisמְקוֹםthe place ofגִּדּוּלָן.their growthאֲבָלButהַתּוֹלֵשׁone who plucksמֵעָצִיץfrom a flowerpotשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notנָקוּבperforatedפָּטוּרis exemptמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat is notזֶהthisמְקוֹםthe place ofגִּדּוּלוֹ.its growthוְעָצִיץAnd a flowerpotנָקוּבperforatedבִּכְדֵיwith enough forשֹׁרֶשׁa rootקָטָןsmallהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּאֶרֶץis like the earthוְהַתּוֹלֵשׁand one who plucksמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines the melacha of reaping, explaining that plucking any plant from its place of growth is forbidden, and distinguishes between perforated and unperforated flowerpots.
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דִּינֵי קוֹצֵר וְנוֹטֵעַ בִּגְדֵלִים וּבְאִילָן שֶׁיָּבַשׁHalacha 4 · The Laws of Reaping and Planting in Growing Plants and Dried Trees
כָּלAnyזֶרַעseedשֶׁקְּצִירָתוֹwhose reapingמַצְמַחַתcauses growthאוֹתוֹitוּמְגַדַּלְתּוֹand enlarges itכְּגוֹןsuch asאַסְפַּסְתָּאalfalfaוְסִלְקָא.and beetsהַקּוֹצְרוֹone who reaps itבִּשְׁגָגָהunintentionallyחַיָּבis liableשְׁתֵּיtwoחַטָּאוֹת.sin offeringsאַחַתoneמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat heקוֹצֵרreapsוְאַחַתand oneמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat heנוֹטֵעַ.plantsוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַזּוֹמֵרone who prunesוְהוּאand heצָרִיךְneedsלָעֵצִיםthe woodחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםon account ofקוֹצֵרreapingוּמִשּׁוּםand on account ofנוֹטֵעַ.plantingגַּבְשׁוּשִׁיתA clodשֶׁלofעָפָרearthשֶׁעָלוּupon which grewבָּהּon itעֲשָׂבִים,grassesהִגְבִּיהָהּif he lifted itמֵעַלfrom uponהָאָרֶץthe earthוְהִנִּיחָהּand placed itעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofיְתֵדוֹתpegsחַיָּבhe is liableמִשּׁוּםon account ofתּוֹלֵשׁ.uprootingהָיְתָהif it wasעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofיְתֵדוֹתpegsוְהִנִּיחָהּand he placed itעַלonהָאָרֶץthe earthחַיָּבhe is liableמִשּׁוּםon account ofזוֹרֵעַ.sowingתְּאֵנִיםFigsשֶׁיָּבְשׁוּthat driedבְּאִבֵּיהֶןon their branchesוְכֵןand likewiseאִילָןa treeשֶׁיָּבְשׁוּwhose fruits driedפֵּרוֹתָיוon itבּוֹ.one who detachesהַתּוֹלֵשׁfrom themמֵהֶןon Shabbosבְּשַׁבָּתis liableחַיָּבevenאַף·עַלthoughפִּיthat theyשֶׁהֵןare like uprootedכַּעֲקוּרִיןregardingלְעִנְיַןthe matter ofטֻמְאָה:ritual impurity
This halacha discusses the dual liability of reaping and planting when harvesting certain crops, the status of a clod of earth with grass, and the prohibition of detaching dried fruit from a tree on Shabbos.
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שִׁעוּרֵי תּוֹלֵשׁ וּמְעַמֵּר בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · The Minimum Measures for Uprooting and Gathering on Shabbos
הַתּוֹלֵשׁOne who uprootsעֻלְשִׁיןchicoryהַמְזָרֵדor who prunesזְרָדִין.shootsאִםifלַאֲכִילָהfor foodשִׁעוּרוֹhis measureכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶת.is like a dried figוְאִםand ifלִבְהֵמָהfor animalשִׁעוּרוֹhis measureכִּמְלוֹאis like the fill ofפִּיthe mouth ofגְּדִי.a kidוְאִםand ifלְהַסָּקָהfor kindlingשִׁעוּרוֹhis measureכְּדֵיis enoughלְבַשֵּׁלto cookבֵּיצָה.an eggהַמְעַמֵּרOne who gathersאֳכָלִיןfoodsאִםifלַאֲכִילָהfor foodשִׁעוּרוֹhis measureכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶת.is like a dried figוְאִםand ifעִמֵּרhe gatheredלִבְהֵמָהfor animalשִׁעוּרוֹhis measureכִּמְלוֹאis like the fill ofפִּיthe mouth ofגְּדִי.a kidוְאִםand ifלְהַסָּקָהfor kindlingשִׁעוּרוֹhis measureכְּדֵיis enoughלְבַשֵּׁלto cookבֵּיצָה.an eggוּבֵיצָהAnd the eggהָאֲמוּרָהthat is mentionedבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceהִיאitבֵּיצָהis an eggבֵּינוֹנִיתaverageשֶׁלofתַּרְנְגוֹלִין.chickensוְכָלand everyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidכְּדֵיenoughלְבַשֵּׁלto cookבֵּיצָהan eggהוּאitכְּדֵיis enoughלְבַשֵּׁלto cookכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figמִבֵּיצָהof an eggוּגְרוֹגֶרֶתand a dried figאֶחָדis oneמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהof threeבְּבֵיצָה.in an eggוְאֵיןand there is noעִמּוּרgatheringאֶלָּאexceptבְּגִדּוּלֵיwith products ofקַרְקַע:the ground
This halacha defines the minimum quantities required for liability when harvesting or gathering food, animal fodder, or kindling on Shabbos.
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תּוֹלֶדֶת מְעַמֵּר בְּפֵרוֹתHalacha 6 · The Derivative of Gathering Sheaves Applied to Fruits
הַמְקַבֵּץOne who collectsדְּבֵלָהpressed figsוְעָשָׂהand madeמִמֶּנָּהfrom themעִגּוּלָהa round cakeאוֹorשֶׁנִּקֵּבwho piercedתְּאֵנִיםfigsוְהִכְנִיסand insertedהַחֶבֶלthe ropeבָּהֶןinto themעַדuntilשֶׁנִּתְקַבְּצוּthey were gatheredגּוּףbodyאֶחָד.oneהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמְעַמֵּרof gathering sheavesוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְכֵןand soכָּלanyכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha defines the derivative of gathering sheaves as collecting individual fruits into a single unified mass or stringing them together.
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אִסּוּר דִּישָׁה וְתוֹלְדוֹתֶיהָ כְּמוֹ חוֹלֵב וְחוֹבֵל בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 7 · The Prohibition of Threshing and its Derivatives of Milking and Wounding on Shabbos
הַדָּשׁOne who threshesכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּבis liableוְאֵיןand there is noדִּישָׁהthreshingאֶלָּאexceptבְּגִדּוּלֵיwith produce ofקַרְקַע.the groundוְהַמְפָרֵקand one who extractsהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeהַדָּשׁof threshingוְחַיָּבand is liableוְכֵןand soכָּלanyכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה.to thisהַחוֹלֵבone who milksאֶת—הַבְּהֵמָהan animalחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְפָרֵקextractingוְכֵןand soהַחוֹבֵלone who woundsבְּחַיa living creatureשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasלוֹto itעוֹרa hideחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְפָרֵק.extractingוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּהְיֶהis that he isצָרִיךְin needלַדָּםof the bloodשֶׁיֵּצֵאthat comes outמִןfromהַחַבּוּרָה.the woundאֲבָלbutאִםifנִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendedלְהַזִּיקto damageבִּלְבַדonlyפָּטוּרhe is exemptמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאhe isמְקַלְקֵל.destructiveוְאֵינוֹand he is notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthere isבַּדָּםin the bloodאוֹorבַּחָלָבin the milkשֶׁהוֹצִיאthat he extractedכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶת:like a dried fig
This halacha defines the labor of threshing, its restriction to produce of the ground, and its derivatives of extracting, milking, and wounding.
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הַחוֹבֵל בַּחֲבֵרוֹ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · Liability for Wounding a Fellow Man on Shabbos
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּחוֹבֵלregarding one who woundsבִּבְהֵמָהan animalוְחַיָּהor a wild beastוְעוֹףor a birdוְכַיּוֹצֵאor similarבָּהֶם.to themאֲבָלbutהַחוֹבֵלone who woundsבַּחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּןthat he intendedלְהַזִּיקto damageחַיָּבis liableמִפְּנֵיbecause ofנַחַתthe satisfaction ofרוּחוֹhis spiritשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdנִתְקָרְרָהwas cooledדַּעְתּוֹhis mindוְשָׁכְכָהand subsidedחֲמָתוֹhis angerוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאheכִּמְתַקֵּן.is like one who correctsוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notצָרִיךְneedלַדָּםthe bloodשֶׁהוֹצִיאthat he extractedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha explains why wounding a human on Shabbos makes one liable even without needing the blood, unlike wounding an animal.
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דִּין חֲבוּרָה בִּשְׁמוֹנָה שְׁרָצִים וּבִשְׁאָר בַּעֲלֵי חַיִּיםHalacha 9 · The Law of Wounding the Eight Creeping Animals and Other Creatures
שְׁמוֹנָהEightשְׁרָצִיםcreeping animalsהָאֲמוּרִיםthat are mentionedבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahהֵןtheyשֶׁיֵּשׁare those that haveלָהֶןto themעוֹרוֹתhidesלְעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofשַׁבָּתShabbosכְּמוֹlikeחַיָּהa wild beastוּבְהֵמָהand a domestic animalוְעוֹף.and a birdאֲבָלbutשְׁאָרotherשְׁקָצִיםdetestable creaturesוּרְמָשִׂיםand crawling thingsאֵיןthere is notלָהֶןto themעוֹר.a hideלְפִיכָךְthereforeהַחוֹבֵלone who woundsבָּהֶןthemפָּטוּר.is exemptוְאֶחָדand bothהַחוֹבֵלone who woundsבִּבְהֵמָהa domestic animalחַיָּהa wild beastוְעוֹףand a birdאוֹorבִּשְׁמוֹנָהone of the eightשְׁרָצִיםcreeping animalsוְעָשָׂהand madeבָּהֶןin themחַבּוּרָהa woundוְיָצָאand went outמֵהֶםfrom themדָּםbloodאוֹorשֶׁנִּצְרַרthat was trappedהַדָּםthe bloodאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notיָצָאit went outחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines which creatures possess a halachically significant hide regarding Shabbos and explains the liability for causing internal or external bleeding.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר סְחִיטַת פֵּרוֹת וּמְלֶאכֶת מְפָרֵק בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 10 · The Prohibition of Squeezing Fruits and the Melacha of Extracting on Shabbos
הַסּוֹחֵטOne who squeezesאֶת—הַפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsלְהוֹצִיאto extractמֵימֵיהֶןtheir juiceחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְפָרֵק.extractingוְאֵינוֹand he is notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthere will beבַּמַּשְׁקִיןin the liquidשֶׁסָּחַטthat he squeezedכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶת.like a dried figוְאֵיןand they are notחַיָּבִיםliableמִןfromהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahאֶלָּאexceptעַלforדְּרִיכַתpressing ofזֵיתִיםolivesוַעֲנָבִיםand grapesבִּלְבַד.aloneוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלִסְחֹטto squeezeאֶשְׁכּוֹלa clusterשֶׁלofעֲנָבִיםgrapesלְתוֹךְintoהָאֹכֶל.the foodשֶׁמַּשְׁקֶהfor liquidהַבָּאthat comesלְאֹכֶלinto foodאֹכֶלfoodהוּאit isוְנִמְצָאand it turns outכִּמְפָרֵקlike extractingאֹכֶלfoodמֵאֹכֶל.from foodאֲבָלbutאִםifסָחַטhe squeezedלִכְלִיinto a vesselשֶׁאֵיןthat does not haveבּוֹin itאֹכֶלfoodהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisדּוֹרֵךְis pressingוְחַיָּב.and he is liableוְהַחוֹלֵבand one who milksלְתוֹךְintoהָאֹכֶלthe foodאוֹorהַיּוֹנֵקone who sucksבְּפִיוwith his mouthפָּטוּרis exemptוְאֵינוֹand he is notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּחֲלֹבhe milksלְתוֹךְintoהַכְּלִי:the vessel
This halacha defines the Torah prohibition of squeezing fruits on Shabbos, which applies only to olives and grapes, and explains the permission to squeeze directly into food.
הל׳ יא
הִלְכוֹת בּוֹרֵר, מְחַבֵּץ, וּמְרַקֵּד בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 11 · The Laws of Winnowing, Selecting, Curdling, and Sifting on Shabbos
הַזּוֹרֶהOne who winnowsאוֹorהַבּוֹרֵרone who selectsכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּב.is liableוְהַמְחַבֵּץand one who curdlesהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeבּוֹרֵר.of selectingוְכֵןand likewiseהַבּוֹרֵרone who selectsשְׁמָרִיםdregsמִתּוֹךְfrom withinהַמַּשְׁקִיןthe liquidsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeבּוֹרֵרof selectingאוֹorתּוֹלֶדֶתa derivativeמְרַקֵּדof siftingוְחַיָּב.and is liableשֶׁהַזּוֹרֶהbecause one who winnowsוְהַבּוֹרֵרand one who selectsוְהַמְרַקֵּדand one who siftsדּוֹמִיןresembleעִנְיְנֵיהֶםtheir mattersזֶהthisלָזֶה.to thisוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatמָנוּdid they countאוֹתָןthemבִּשְׁלֹשָׁהas threeמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁכָּלeveryמְלָאכָהlaborשֶׁהָיְתָהthat wasבַּמִּשְׁכָּןin the Mishkanמוֹנִיןthey countאוֹתָהּitבִּפְנֵיbyעַצְמָהּ:itself
This halacha defines the shiur for winnowing and selecting, and explains the derivatives of selecting and sifting.
הל׳ יב
הִלְכוֹת בּוֹרֵר בְּשַׁבָּת וְהַדְּרָכִים הַמֻּתָּרוֹתHalacha 12 · The Laws of Selecting on Shabbos and the Permitted Methods
הַבּוֹרֵרOne who selectsאֹכֶלfoodמִתּוֹךְfromפְּסלֶתwasteאוֹorשֶׁהָיוּthat there wereלְפָנָיוbefore himשְׁנֵיtwoמִינֵיtypes ofאֳכָלִיןfoodsוּבֵרֵרand he selectedמִיןa typeמִמִּיןfrom a typeאַחֵרotherבְּנָפָהwith a sifterוּבִכְבָרָהor with a sieveחַיָּב.is liableבְּקָנוֹןwith a trayאוֹorבְּתַמְחוּיwith a bowlפָּטוּר.is exemptוְאִםand ifבֵּרֵרhe selectedבְּיָדוֹwith his handלֶאֱכלto eatלְאַלְתַּרimmediatelyמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha defines the biblical and rabbinic boundaries of the melacha of Borer (selecting) on Shabbos, distinguishing between different utensils and immediate consumption.
הל׳ יג
הִלְכוֹת בּוֹרֵר בְּשַׁבָּת וּבְרִירַת אֹכֶל מִתּוֹךְ פְּסלֶתHalacha 13 · The Laws of Selecting on Shabbos and Separating Food from Waste
וְהַבּוֹרֵרAnd one who selectsפְּסלֶתwasteמִתּוֹךְfrom withinהָאֹכֶלthe foodוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּיָדוֹwith his handאַחַתoneחַיָּב.is liableוְהַבּוֹרֵרAnd one who selectsתֻּרְמוֹסִיןlupine beansמִתּוֹךְfrom withinפְּסלֶתwasteשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsחַיָּבis liableמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהַפְּסלֶתthat the wasteשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsמְמַתֶּקֶתsweetensאוֹתָןthemכְּשֶׁיִּשְׁלְקוּwhen they boilאוֹתָןthemעִמָּהֶםwith themוְנִמְצָאand it turns outכְּבוֹרֵרlike one who selectsפְּסלֶתwasteמִתּוֹךְfrom withinאֹכֶלfoodוְחַיָּב.and is liableהַבּוֹרֵרOne who selectsאֹכֶלfoodמִתּוֹךְfrom withinפְּסלֶתwasteבְּיָדוֹby handלְהַנִּיחוֹto leave itאֲפִלּוּevenלְבוֹfor laterבַּיּוֹםin the dayנַעֲשָׂהbecomesכְּבוֹרֵרlike one who selectsלָאוֹצָרfor storageוְחַיָּב.and is liableהָיוּIf there wereלְפָנָיוbefore himשְׁנֵיtwoמִינֵיtypes ofאֳכָלִיןfoodsמְעֹרָבִיןmixedבּוֹרֵרhe may selectאֶחָדoneמֵאַחֵרfrom the otherוּמַנִּיחַand leave itלֶאֱכלto eatמִיָּד.immediatelyוְאִםAnd ifבֵּרֵרhe selectedוְהִנִּיחַand left itלְאַחַרfor afterזְמַןa timeאֲפִלּוּevenלְבוֹfor laterבַּיּוֹםin the dayכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁבֵּרֵרthat he selectedבְּשַׁחֲרִיתin the morningלֶאֱכלto eatבֵּיןinהָעַרְבַּיִםthe afternoonחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha defines the liability for selecting waste from food, selecting for later use, and separating two different types of food.
הל׳ יד
הִלְכוֹת בּוֹרֵר בְּמַשְׁקִין וְסִנּוּן יַיִן וְחַרְדָּלHalacha 14 · The Laws of Selecting Liquids and Filtering Wine and Mustard
המְשַׁמֵּרOne who strainsיַיִןwineאוֹorשֶׁמֶןoilאוֹorמַיִםwaterוְכֵןand soשְׁאָרthe rest ofהַמַּשְׁקִיןthe liquidsבַּמְּשַׁמֶּרֶתwith a strainerשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsחַיָּב.is liableוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיְּשַׁמֵּרprovided that he strainsכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶת.like a dried figאֲבָלbutמְסַנְּנִיןwe may filterיַיִןwineשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבּוֹin itשְׁמָרִיםdregsאוֹorמַיִםwaterצְלוּלִיןclearבְּסוּדָרִיןwith clothsוּבִכְפִיפָהand with a basketמִצְרִיתEgyptianכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּהֵאthat it will beצָלוּלclearבְּיוֹתֵר.exceedinglyוְנוֹתְנִיןand we may placeמַיִםwaterעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofשְׁמָרִיםdregsבִּשְׁבִילfor the sakeשֶׁיִּצּוֹלוּ.that they will clarifyוְנוֹתְנִיןand we may placeבֵּיצָהan eggטְרוּפָהbeatenלִמְסַנֶּנֶתinto a strainerשֶׁלofחַרְדָּלmustardכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּצָּלֵל.that it will clarifyחַרְדָּלmustardשֶׁלָּשׁוֹthat one kneadedמֵעֶרֶבfrom the eve ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosלְמָחָרon the morrowמְמַחֶהone may stirוְשׁוֹתֶהand drinkבֵּיןwhetherבַּיָּדby handבֵּיןwhetherבִּכְלִי.with a utensilוְכֵןand soיַיִןwineמִגִּתּוֹfrom its pressכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהוּאthat it isתּוֹסֵסfermentingטוֹרֵףone may pourחָבִיתa barrelבִּשְׁמָרֶיהָwith its dregsוְנוֹתֵןand placeלְתוֹךְintoהַסּוּדָרִין.the clothsשֶׁעֲדַיִןfor stillלֹאnotנִפְרְשׁוּhave separatedהַשְּׁמָרִיםthe dregsמִןfromהַיַּיִןthe wineיָפֶהwellיָפֶהwellוְכָלand allהַיַּיִןthe wineכְּגוּףlike a bodyאֶחָדoneהוּא.it isוְכֵןand soהַחַרְדָּלthe mustardוְכָלand allכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבּוֹ:to it
This halacha details the prohibition of straining liquids with a strainer and the permitted methods of filtering clear liquids or unseparated mixtures on Shabbos.
הל׳ טו
אִסּוּר מְלֶאכֶת טוֹחֵן וְתוֹלְדוֹתֶיהָ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 15 · The Prohibition of the Melacha of Grinding and its Derivatives on Shabbos
הַטּוֹחֵןOne who grindsכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּב.is liableוְכָלand anyoneהַשּׁוֹחֵקwho crushesתַּבְלִיןspicesוְסַמָּנִיןand herbsבְּמַכְתֶּשֶׁתin a mortarהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisטוֹחֵןis grindingוְחַיָּב.and is liableהַמְחַתֵּךְOne who cutsיָרָקvegetableתָּלוּשׁdetachedהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeטוֹחֵן.of grindingוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַנּוֹסֵרone who sawsעֵצִיםwoodלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבִּנְסֹרֶתfrom the sawdustשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsאוֹorהַשָּׁףone who filesלָשׁוֹןa barשֶׁלofמַתֶּכֶתmetalחַיָּבis liableמִשֶּׁיָּשׁוּףfrom when he filesכָּלanyשֶׁהוּא.amountאֲבָלButהַמְחַתֵּךְone who chopsעֵצִיםwoodאֵינוֹis notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיְּדַקְדֵּקhe makes fineמֵהֶןfrom themכְּדֵיenoughלְבַשֵּׁלto cookכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figמִבֵּיצָה:of an egg
This halacha defines the liability for grinding grain, crushing spices, cutting detached vegetables, sawing wood, filing metal, and chopping wood on Shabbos.
הל׳ טז
אִסּוּר מְרַקֵּד, לָשׁ, וּמְגַבֵּל בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 16 · The Prohibitions of Sifting, Kneading, and Mixing Cement on Shabbos
הַמְרַקֵּדOne who siftsכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּב.is liableהַלָּשׁOne who kneadsכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּבis liableהַמְגַבֵּלOne who mixesאֶת—הֶעָפָרthe earthהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofלָשׁ.kneadingוְכַמָּהand how muchשִׁעוּרוֹis its measureכְּדֵיenoughלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeפִּיthe mouth ofכּוּרa crucibleשֶׁלofצוֹרְפֵיrefiners ofזָהָב.goldוְאֵיןand there is noגִּבּוּלmixingבְּאֵפֶרwith ashוְלֹאand notבְּחוֹלwith sandהַגַּסcoarseוְלֹאand notבְּמֻרְסָןwith branוְלֹאand notבְּכַיּוֹצֵאwith similarבָּהֶן.to themוְהַנּוֹתֵןand one who placesזֶרַעseed ofשֻׁמְשְׁמִיןsesameאוֹorזֶרַעseed ofפִּשְׁתָּןflaxוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themבְּמַיִםin waterחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofלָשׁ.kneadingמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵןtheyמִתְעָרְבִיןmixוְנִתְלִיןand clingזֶהthisבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha defines the Shabbos prohibitions of sifting and kneading, including their minimum measures and derivatives like mixing cement or soaking seeds.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
This chapter establishes the definitions and minimum shiurim (measures) for the melachos of plowing, sowing, and reaping. The Rambam explains that activities like weeding, pruning to help a tree grow, watering, and soaking seeds are toldos of plowing and sowing, carrying liability for even the slightest amount. For Kotzer (reaping), the standard shiur is the size of a dried fig, and the prohibition includes plucking from any place of growth, with specific distinctions made for perforated flower pots. Finally, the Rambam teaches that when an action both harvests and promotes new growth, or when one's intent varies between food, animal fodder, or kindling, the halachah accounts for these intentions with corresponding shiurim and multiple sin offerings.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The holy work of Shabbos is not just about what we refrain from doing, but about how we view the world around us. When the Torah teaches us that even leveling a tiny cavity in the ground is a derivative of plowing, or that soaking a single seed in water is a derivative of sowing, it is training our eyes to see the immense potential hidden in the smallest, seemingly insignificant actions. In the eyes of Hashem, there is no such thing as a "small" act. Every tiny movement of improvement, every gentle watering of a soul, has cosmic significance.
This is especially true in our personal avodah and our relationships. We often wait for major, dramatic moments to make a difference, thinking that only "big" things matter. But just as the halachah of Shabbos teaches us that the slightest weeding or the smallest leveling of a path is a complete labor, so too in our daily lives, a tiny word of encouragement, a small smile, or a moment of self-control is a complete world. You don't need to plow an entire field to make an impact; you just need to refine the small corner of the world where Hashem has placed you.
Today, find one small "cavity" to level or one tiny "seed" to water. Offer a single word of genuine praise to a family member, or take one minute to learn a halachah with focus, realizing that in the spiritual realm, even the smallest positive action creates an everlasting growth.