Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we begin learning the halachos of the melacha of Bishul (cooking and baking) on Shabbos. The Rambam, with his characteristic clarity, guides us through the basic definitions of this avodah, showing us how baking bread, cooking food, heating water, and even boiling herbs all stem from the very same av melacha. We will learn the specific shiurim (minimum measures) that make a person liable for these actions, and how the melacha applies to different types of substances.
We will also delve into the crucial distinctions between cooking with fire itself, cooking with a "toledah" (a derivative) of fire, and cooking with the sun or its derivatives. Hashem's world has different sources of heat, and the Sages established fences to protect us from crossing the line from mutar (permitted) heat sources into actual d'Oraisa (Torah) prohibitions. We will see how these guidelines apply to practical cases like using hot springs or warming up food that has already been fully cooked before Shabbos.
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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הַשִּׁעוּר לְחִיּוּב אוֹפֶה וּמְבַשֵּׁל בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Minimum Measures for Liability in Baking and Cooking on Shabbos
הָאוֹפֶהOne who bakesכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figחַיָּב.is liableאֶחָדWhetherהָאוֹפֶהone who bakesאֶת—הַפַּתthe breadאוֹorהַמְבַשֵּׁלone who cooksאֶת—הַמַּאֲכָלthe foodאוֹorאֶת—הַסַּמְמָנִיןthe herbsאוֹorהַמְחַמֵּםone who heatsאֶת—הַמַּיִםthe waterהַכּלall of itעִנְיָןcategoryאֶחָדoneהוּא.it isשִׁעוּרThe measure ofהַמְחַמֵּםone who heatsאֶת—הַמַּיִםthe waterכְּדֵיis enoughלִרְחֹץto washבָּהֶןwith themאֵיבָרa limbקָטָן.smallוְשִׁעוּרAnd the measure ofמְבַשֵּׁלone who cooksסַמְמָנִיןherbsכְּדֵיis enoughשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they will beרְאוּיִיןfitלְדָבָרfor the purposeשֶׁמְּבַשְּׁלִיןthat they cookאוֹתָןthemלוֹ:for it
This halacha defines the minimum quantities required to violate the Torah prohibition of cooking and baking on Shabbos.
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בִּשּׁוּל בְּתוֹלֶדֶת הָאוּר וַהֲדָחַת דָּג מָלִיחַ בְּחַמִּיןHalacha 2 · Cooking with a Derivative of Fire and Rinsing Salted Fish in Hot Water
הַנּוֹתֵןOne who placesבֵּיצָהan eggבְּצַדbesideהַמֵּיחַםthe kettleבִּשְׁבִילin orderשֶׁתִּתְגַּלְגֵּלthat it will become slightly cookedוְנִתְגַּלְגְּלָהand it became slightly cookedחַיָּב.is liableשֶׁהַמְבַשֵּׁלfor one who cooksבְּתוֹלֶדֶתwith a derivativeהָאוּרof the fireכִּמְבַשֵּׁלis like one who cooksבָּאוּרwith the fireעַצְמָהּ.itselfוְכֵןAnd soהַמֵּדִיחַone who rinsesבְּחַמִּיןwith hot waterדָּגfishמָלִיחַsaltedהַיָּשָׁןoldאוֹorקוּלְיָיסthe Spanishהָאִסְפָּנִיןmackerelוְהוּאand itדָּגis a fishדַּקthinוְרַךְand softבְּיוֹתֵרexceedinglyהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneחַיָּב.is liableשֶׁהֲדָחָתָןfor their rinsingבְּחַמִּיןwith hot waterזֶהthisהוּאisגְּמַרthe completion ofבִּשּׁוּלָן.their cookingוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאthat is similarבָּהֶן:to them
This halacha teaches that cooking with a derivative of fire is forbidden just like cooking with fire itself, and that rinsing certain foods in hot water can complete their cooking process.
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בִּשּׁוּל בְּתוֹלְדוֹת חַמָּה וּבְדָבָר הַמְבֻשָּׁל כָּל צָרְכּוֹHalacha 3 · Cooking with Derivatives of the Sun and Reheating Fully Cooked Food
הַמַּפְקִיעַOne who breaksאֶת—הַבֵּיצָהthe eggבְּבֶגֶדin a clothחַםwarmאוֹorבְּחוֹלin sandוּבַאֲבַקand in the dust ofדְּרָכִיםroadsשֶׁהֵןthat areחַמִּיםhotמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנִּצְלֵיתit was roastedפָּטוּר.is exemptשֶׁתּוֹלְדוֹתfor the derivatives ofחַמָּהsunאֵינָםare notכְּתוֹלְדוֹתlike the derivatives ofהָאֵשׁ.the fireאֲבָלbutגָּזְרוּthey decreedעֲלֵיהֶןagainst themמִפְּנֵיbecause ofתּוֹלְדוֹתthe derivatives ofהָאוּר.the fireוְכֵןand likewiseהַמְבַשֵּׁלone who cooksבְּחַמֵּיin the hot springs ofטְבֶרְיָהTveryahוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶםof themפָּטוּר.is exemptהַמְבַשֵּׁלOne who cooksעַלonהָאוּרthe fireדָּבָרan itemשֶׁהָיָהthat wasמְבֻשָּׁלcookedכָּלallצָרְכּוֹits needאוֹorדָּבָרan itemשֶׁאֵינוֹthat does notצָרִיךְneedבִּשּׁוּלcookingכְּלָלat allפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha outlines the exemptions for cooking using the heat of the sun or its derivatives, as well as the rule that there is no biblical liability for cooking food that is already fully cooked.
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חִיּוּב מְבַשֵּׁל בְּשֻׁתָּפוּת וּבְזֶה אַחַר זֶהHalacha 4 · Liability for Cooking Jointly and in Succession
אֶחָדoneנָתַןplacedאֶת—הָאוּרthe fireוְאֶחָדand oneנָתַןplacedאֶת—הָעֵצִיםthe woodוְאֶחָדand oneנָתַןplacedאֶת—הַקְּדֵרָהthe potוְאֶחָדand oneנָתַןplacedאֶת—הַמַּיִםthe waterוְאֶחָדand oneנָתַןplacedאֶת—הַבָּשָׂרthe meatוְאֶחָדand oneנָתַןplacedאֶת—הַתַּבְלִיןthe spicesוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְהֵגִיסand stirredכֻּלָּםall of themחַיָּבִיםare liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְבַשֵּׁל.cookingשֶׁכָּלfor anyoneהָעוֹשֶׂהwho doesדָּבָרa thingמִצָּרְכֵיof the needs ofהַבִּשּׁוּלthe cookingהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהheמְבַשֵּׁל.is cookingאֲבָלbutאִםifשָׁפַתplacedאֶחָדoneאֶת—הַקְּדֵרָהthe potתְּחִלָּהfirstוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְנָתַןand placedאֶת—הַמַּיִםthe waterוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְנָתַןand placedאֶת—הַבָּשָׂרthe meatוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְנָתַןand placedאֶת—הַתַּבְלִיןthe spicesוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְנָתַןand placedאֶת—הָאוּרthe fireוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְנָתַןand placedעֵצִיםwoodעַלuponהָאוּרthe fireוּבָאand cameאַחֵרanotherוְהֵגִיס.and stirredשְׁנַיִםthe twoהָאַחֲרוֹנִיםlatter onesבִּלְבַדaloneחַיָּבִיןare liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְבַשֵּׁל:cooking
This halacha distinguishes between multiple people performing cooking steps simultaneously as a group versus performing them sequentially as individuals.
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שִׁעוּר בִּשּׁוּל בָּשָׂר וּרְדִיַּת פַּת מֵהַתַּנּוּרHalacha 5 · The Measure of Cooking Meat and Scraping a Loaf from the Oven
הִנִּיחַIf one placedבָּשָׂרmeatעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofגֶּחָלִיםcoalsאִםifנִצְלָהthere was roastedבּוֹin itכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figאֲפִלּוּevenבִּשְׁנַיִםin twoוּשְׁלֹשָׁהor threeמְקוֹמוֹתplacesחַיָּב.he is liableלֹאif there was notנִצְלָהroastedבּוֹin itכִּגְרוֹגֶרֶתlike a dried figאֲבָלbutנִתְבַּשֵּׁלit was cookedכֻּלּוֹall of itחֲצִיhalfבִּשּׁוּלcookingחַיָּב.he is liableנִתְבַּשֵּׁלif it was cookedחֲצִיhalfבִּשּׁוּלcookingמִצַּדfrom sideאֶחָדoneפָּטוּר.he is exemptעַדuntilשֶׁיַּהֲפֹךְhe turnsבּוֹitוְיִתְבַּשֵּׁלand it cooksחֲצִיhalfבִּשּׁוּלcookingמִשְּׁנֵיfrom bothצְדָדִין.sidesשָׁכַחIf one forgotוְהִדְבִּיקand attachedפַּתa loafבַּתַּנּוּרin the ovenבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְנִזְכַּרand rememberedמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himלִרְדוֹתָהto scrape it outקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁתֵּאָפֶהit bakesוְיָבוֹאand he comesלִידֵיto the hands ofמְלָאכָה:melacha
This halacha defines the minimum threshold of cooking meat to incur liability on Shabbos and permits removing a loaf from an oven before it bakes to prevent a Torah violation.
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תּוֹלְדוֹת מְלֶאכֶת מְבַשֵּׁל בְּמַתָּכוֹת וּבִכְלֵי חֶרֶסHalacha 6 · Derivatives of the Melacha of Cooking in Metals and Earthenware
הַמַּתִּיךְOne who meltsאֶחָדoneמִמִּינֵיof the types ofמַתָּכוֹתmetalsכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountאוֹorהַמְחַמֵּםone who heatsאֶת—הַמַּתָּכוֹתthe metalעַדuntilשֶׁתֵּעָשֶׂהit becomesגַּחֶלֶתa coalהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמְבַשֵּׁל.cookingוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמְמַסֵּסone who dissolvesאֶת—הַדּוֹנַגthe waxאוֹorאֶת—הַחֵלֶבthe tallowאוֹorאֶת—הַזֶּפֶתthe tarוְהַכֹּפֶרand the pitchוְהַגָּפְרִיתand the sulfurוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶםto themהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמְבַשֵּׁלcookingוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמְבַשֵּׁלone who bakesכְּלֵיvessels ofאֲדָמָהearthעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּthey becomeחֶרֶסearthenwareחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְבַשֵּׁל.cookingכְּלָלוֹThe general principleשֶׁלofדָּבָרthe matterבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁרִפָּהone softenedגּוּףa substanceקָשֶׁהhardבָּאֵשׁwith fireאוֹorשֶׁהִקְשָׁהone hardenedגּוּףa substanceרַךְsoftהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְבַשֵּׁל:cooking
This halacha defines the derivatives of cooking, which include melting metals or wax, and hardening clay vessels with fire.
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מְלֶאכֶת גּוֹזֵז וְשִׁעוּרָהּ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 7 · The Melacha of Shearing and Its Minimum Measure on Shabbos
הַגּוֹזֵזOne who shearsצֶמֶרwoolאוֹorשֵׂעָרhairבֵּיןwhetherמִןfromהַבְּהֵמָהthe domestic animalבֵּיןwhetherמִןfromהַחַיָּהthe wild animalבֵּיןwhetherמִןfromהַחַיthe livingבֵּיןwhetherמִןfromהַמֵּתthe deadאֲפִלּוּevenמִןfromהַשֶּׁלַחthe hideשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsחַיָּב.is liableכַּמָּהHow muchשִׁעוּרוֹis its measureכְּדֵיenoughלִטְווֹתto spinמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחוּטa threadשֶׁאָרְכּוֹwhose length isכְּרֹחַבlike the width ofהַסִּיטthe sitכָּפוּל.doubledוְכַמָּהAnd how muchרֹחַבis the width ofהַסִּיטthe sitכְּדֵיenoughלִמְתֹּחַto stretchמִןfromבֹּהֶןthe thumbשֶׁלofיָדthe handעַדuntilהָאֶצְבַּעthe fingerהָרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstכְּשֶׁיִּפְתַּחwhen he opensבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themבְּכָלwith allכֹּחוֹhis strengthוְהוּאand itקָרוֹבis closeלִשְׁנֵיto twoשְׁלִישֵׁיthirds ofזֶרֶת.a zeretהַתּוֹלֵשׁOne who plucksכָּנָףa wingמִןfromהָעוֹףthe birdהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofגּוֹזֵז.shearingהַטּוֹוֶהOne who spinsאֶת—הַצֶּמֶרthe woolמִןfromהַחַיthe living animalפָּטוּרis exemptשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noדֶּרֶךְmanner ofגְּזִיזָהshearingבְּכָךְin thisוְאֵיןand there is noדֶּרֶךְmanner ofנִפּוּץcombingבְּכָךְin thisוְאֵיןand there is noדֶּרֶךְmanner ofטְוִיָּהspinningבְּכָךְ:in this
This halacha defines the melacha of shearing wool or hair, its minimum measure based on the width of a sit, and related derivative acts.
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אִסּוּר גְּזִיזַת שֵׂעָר וְצִפָּרְנַיִם וַחֲתִיּכַת יַבֶּלֶת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · The Prohibition of Cutting Hair, Nails, and Warts on Shabbos
הַנּוֹטֵלOne who removesצִפָּרְנָיוhis nailsאוֹorשְׂעָרוֹhis hairאוֹorשְׂפָמוֹhis mustacheאוֹorזְקָנוֹhis beardהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeגּוֹזֵזof shearingוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּטּלis provided that he removesבִּכְלִי.with a utensilאֲבָלbutאִםifנְטָלָןhe removed themבְּיָדוֹby his handבֵּיןwhetherלוֹfor himselfבֵּיןwhetherלְאַחֵרfor anotherפָּטוּר.he is exemptוְכֵןand likewiseהַחוֹתֵךְone who cutsיַבֶּלֶתa wartמִגּוּפוֹfrom his bodyבֵּיןwhetherבְּיָדby handבֵּיןwhetherבִּכְלִיwith a utensilפָּטוּרhe is exemptבֵּיןwhetherלוֹfor himselfבֵּיןwhetherלְאַחֵר.for anotherוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלַחְתֹּךְto cutיַבֶּלֶתa wartבַּמִּקְדָּשׁin the Templeבְּיָדby handאֲבָלbutלֹאnotבִּכְלִי.with a utensilוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהit wasיְבֵשָׁהdryחוֹתְכָהּone may cut itאַףevenבִּכְלִיwith a utensilוְעוֹבֵדand performעֲבוֹדָה:service
This halacha details the derivative of shearing as it applies to cutting hair, nails, and warts, distinguishing between using a utensil and doing so by hand, as well as the leniencies permitted in the Temple.
הל׳ ט
הִלְכוֹת גּוֹזֵז בְּשַׁבָּת — שֵׂעָר, צִפֹּרֶן וְצִיצִיןHalacha 9 · The Melacha of Shearing on Shabbos — Hair, Nails, and Hangnails
הַנּוֹטֵלOne who removesשְׂעָרוֹhis hairבִּכְלִיwith a utensilכַּמָּהhow muchיִטּלmust he removeוְיִהְיֶהand he will beחַיָּב.liableשְׁתֵּיtwoשְׂעָרוֹת.hairsוְאִםand ifלִקֵּטhe gatheredלְבָנוֹתwhite onesמִתּוֹךְfrom amongשְׁחוֹרוֹתblack onesאֲפִלּוּevenאַחַתoneחַיָּב.he is liableצִפֹּרֶןA nailשֶׁפֵּרְשָׁהthat separatedרֻבָּהּits majorityוְצִיצִיןand hangnailsשֶׁלofעוֹרskinשֶׁפֵּרְשׁוּthat separatedרֻבָּןtheir majorityאִםifפֵּרְשׁוּthey separatedכְּלַפֵּיtowardsמַעְלָהaboveוּמְצַעֲרוֹתand they painאוֹתוֹhimמֻתָּרit is permittedלִטּלto removeאוֹתָןthemבְּיָדוֹwith his handאֲבָלbutלֹאnotבִּכְלִי.with a utensilוְאִםand ifנְטָלָןhe removed themבִּכְלִיwith a utensilפָּטוּר.he is exemptוְאִםand ifאֵינָןthey do notמְצַעֲרוֹתpainאוֹתוֹhimאֲפִלּוּevenבַּיָּדby handאָסוּר.it is forbiddenוְאִםand ifלֹאnotפֵּרְשׁוּseparatedרֻבָּןtheir majorityאֲפִלּוּeven ifמְצַעֲרוֹתthey painאוֹתוֹhimאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְנָטְלָןto remove themבְּיָדוֹwith his handוְאִםand ifנְטָלָןhe removed themבִּכְלִיwith a utensilחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha defines the liability thresholds for cutting hair and the conditions under which loose nails or hangnails may be removed on Shabbos.
הל׳ י
הַמְלַבֵּן צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתָּן וְשִׁעוּר הַחִיּוּב בּוֹHalacha 10 · The Melacha of Whitening Wool and Linen and Its Minimum Measure
הַמְלַבֵּןOne who whitensאֶת—הַצֶּמֶרthe woolאוֹorאֶת—הַפִּשְׁתָּןthe linenאוֹorאֶת—הַשָּׁנִי.the crimson woolוְכֵןand soכָּלanyכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּהֶןto themמִמַּהfrom whatשֶּׁדַּרְכָּןwhose wayלְהִתְלַבֵּןis to be whitenedחַיָּב.is liableוְכַמָּהand how muchשִׁעוּרוֹis its measureכְּדֵיenoughלִטְווֹתto spinמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחוּטa threadאֶחָדoneאָרְכּוֹits lengthכִּמְלֹאlike the fullרֹחַבwidth ofהַסִּיטthe sitכָּפוּלdoubledשֶׁהוּאwhich isאֹרֶךְa length ofאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִים:handbreadths
This halacha defines the melacha of whitening raw materials and specifies the minimum amount required to incur liability.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר כִּבּוּס וּסְחִיטָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 11 · The Prohibition of Laundering and Wringing Garments on Shabbos
הַמְכַבֵּסOne who laundersבְּגָדִיםgarmentsהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמְלַבֵּןwhiteningוְחַיָּב.and is liableוהַסּוֹחֵטand one who wrings outאֶת—הַבֶּגֶדthe garmentעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹצִיאhe extractsהַמַּיִםthe waterשֶׁבּוֹthat is in itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמְכַבֵּסis launderingוְחַיָּב.and is liableשֶׁהַסְּחִיטָהfor the wringingמִצָּרְכֵיis of the needs ofכִּבּוּסlaunderingהִיאitכְּמוֹjust likeשֶׁהַהֲגָסָהstirringמִצָּרְכֵיis of the needs ofהַבִּשּׁוּל.cookingוְאֵיןand there is noסְחִיטָהwringingבְּשֵׂעָרin hairוְהוּאand thisהַדִּיןis the lawלְעוֹרfor leatherשֶׁאֵיןthat one is notחַיָּבִיןliableעַלforסְחִיטָתוֹ:its wringing
This halacha defines laundering as a derivative of whitening and establishes that wringing out absorbed water from a garment is a form of laundering, while hair and leather are exempt from the prohibition of wringing.
הל׳ יב
אִסּוּר מְנַפֵּץ צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתָּן וְהַגִּידִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 12 · The Prohibition of Combing Wool, Linen, and Sinews on Shabbos
הַמְנַפֵּץOne who combsאֶת—הַצֶּמֶרthe woolאוֹorאֶת—הַפִּשְׁתָּןthe linenאוֹorאֶת—הַשָּׁנִיthe crimson woolוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themחַיָּב.is liableוְכַמָּהAnd how muchשִׁעוּרוֹis its measureכְּדֵיenoughלִטְווֹתto spinמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחוּטa threadאֶחָדoneאָרְכּוֹits lengthאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִים.handbreadthsוְהַמְנַפֵּץAnd one who beatsאֶת—הַגִּידִיםthe sinewsעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּthey becomeכְּצֶמֶרlike woolכְּדֵיenoughלִטְווֹתto spinאוֹתָןthemהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמְנַפֵּץof combingוְחַיָּב:and is liable
This halacha defines the melacha of combing raw fibers and its derivative of beating animal sinews to make them spinable.
הל׳ יג
דִּין הַצּוֹבֵעַ וּמְלָאכָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ מִתְקַיֶּמֶת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · The Law of Dyeing and Labor That Does Not Endure on Shabbos
הַצּוֹבֵעַOne who dyesחוּטa threadשֶׁאָרְכּוֹwhose length isאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsאוֹorדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאֶפְשָׁרthat is possibleלִטְווֹתto spinמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחוּטa threadכָּזֶהlike thisחַיָּב.is liableוְאֵיןand notהַצּוֹבֵעַis the dyerחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיְּהֵאthat there isצֶבַעdyeהַמִּתְקַיֵּם.that enduresאֲבָלbutצֶבַעdyeשֶׁאֵינוֹthat does notמִתְקַיֵּםendureכְּלָלat allכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁהֶעֱבִירthat one passedסָרָקred clayאוֹorשָׁשַׁרvermilionעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofבַּרְזֶלironאוֹorנְחשֶׁתcopperוּצְבָעוֹand colored itפָּטוּר.is exemptשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאַתָּהyouמַעֲבִירוֹremove itלִשְׁעָתוֹimmediatelyוְאֵינוֹand it does notצוֹבֵעַdyeכְּלוּם.anythingוְכָלand anyשֶׁאֵיןwhoseמְלַאכְתּוֹlaborמִתְקַיֶּמֶתdoes not endureבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha defines the minimum length of dyed material required for liability and establishes that only permanent dyeing is biblically forbidden on Shabbos.
הל׳ יד
אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת עֵין צֶבַע בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 14 · The Prohibition of Creating a Color on Shabbos
הָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesעֵיןan appearance ofהַצֶּבַעcolorהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofצוֹבֵעַdyeingוְחַיָּב.and is liableכֵּיצַד.How soכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁנָּתַןthat he putקַנְקַנְתּוֹםvitriolלְתוֹךְintoמֵיwater ofעַפְּצָאgallnutשֶׁנַּעֲשָׂהso that it becameהַכּלthe wholeשָׁחוֹר.blackאוֹorשֶׁנָּתַןthat he putאִיסְטִיסisatisלְתוֹךְintoמֵיwater ofכַּרְכֹּםsaffronשֶׁנַּעֲשָׂהso that it becameהַכּלthe wholeיָרֹק.greenוְכֵןand soכָּלanyכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה.to thisוְכַמָּהAnd how muchשִׁעוּרוֹis its measureכְּדֵיenoughלִצְבֹּעַto dyeבּוֹwith itחוּטa threadשֶׁאָרְכּוֹwhose length isאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִים:handbreadths
This halacha defines the derivative of dyeing where one mixes substances to create a new color, and specifies the minimum measure for liability.
הל׳ טו
הִלְכוֹת טוֹוֶה וַעֲשִׂיַּת לֶבֶד בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 15 · The Forbidden Melacha of Spinning and Making Felt on Shabbos
הַטּוֹוֶהOne who spinsאֹרֶךְa length ofאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsמִכָּלfrom anyדָּבָרthingהַנִּטְוֶהthat is spunחַיָּב.is liableאֶחָדwhetherהַטּוֹוֶהone who spinsאֶת—הַצֶּמֶרthe woolאוֹorאֶת—הַפִּשְׁתָּןthe linenאוֹorאֶת—הַנּוֹצָהthe downאוֹorאֶת—הַשֵּׂעָרthe hairאוֹorאֶת—הַגִּידִין.the sinewsוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּהֶן.to themהָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesאֶת—הַלֶּבֶדthe feltהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis isתּוֹלֶדֶתa derivative ofטוֹוֶהspinningוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיְּלַבֵּדprovided that he feltsדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאֶפְשָׁרthat is possibleלִטְווֹתto spinמִמֶּנּוּfrom itחוּטa threadאֹרֶךְa length ofאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsבְּעֹבִיof thicknessבֵּינוֹנִי:medium
This halacha defines the minimum measure of four handbreadths for the liability of spinning and explains that making felt is a derivative of spinning.
הל׳ טז
אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת בָּתֵּי נִירִין וְתוֹלְדוֹתָיו בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 16 · The Prohibition of Making Heddles and Its Derivatives on Shabbos
הָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesשְׁנֵיtwoבָּתֵּיhouses ofנִירִיןheddlesחַיָּב.is liableהָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesנָפָהa sifterאוֹorכְּבָרָהa strainerאוֹorסַלa basketאוֹorסְבָכָהa hairnetאוֹorשֶׁסָּרַגwho weavesמִטָּהa bedבַּחֲבָלִיםwith ropesהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofעוֹשֶׂהmakingנִירִיןheddlesוּמִשֶּׁיַּעֲשֶׂהand from when he makesשְׁנֵיtwoבָּתִּיםhousesבְּאֶחָדin oneמִכָּלof allאֵלּוּtheseחַיָּב.he is liableוְכֵןAnd soכָּלanyoneהָעוֹשֶׂהwho makesשְׁנֵיtwoבָּתֵּיhouses ofנִירִיןheddlesבְּדָבָרin an objectשֶׁעוֹשִׂיןthat they makeאוֹתוֹitבָּתִּיםhousesבָּתִּיםby housesכְּגוֹןlikeאֵלּוּtheseחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines the primary labor of making heddles and its derivative applications in weaving and netting.
הל׳ יז
מְלֶאכֶת מֵסֵךְ וּמְלֶאכֶת אוֹרֵג בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 17 · The Melachos of Setting the Warp and Weaving on Shabbos
דֶּרֶךְThe way ofהָאוֹרְגִיןthe weaversשֶׁמּוֹתְחִיןis that they stretchהַחוּטִיןthe threadsתְּחִלָּהinitiallyבְּאֹרֶךְin the length ofהַיְרִיעָהthe fabricוּבְרָחְבָּהּand in its widthוּשְׁנַיִםand twoאוֹחֲזִיןholdזֶהthis oneמִכָּאןfrom hereוְזֶהand that oneמִכָּאןfrom hereוְאֶחָדand oneשׁוֹבֵטbeatsבְּשֵׁבֶטwith a rodעַלuponהַחוּטִיןthe threadsוּמְתַקֵּןand alignsאוֹתָןthemזֶהthis oneבְּצַדbesideזֶהthis oneעַדuntilשֶׁתֵּעָשֶׂהthere is madeכֻּלָּהּall of itשְׁתִיwarpבְּלֹאwithoutעֵרֶב.woofוּמְתִיחַתand the stretching ofהַחוּטִיןthe threadsכְּדֶרֶךְlike the way ofהָאוֹרְגִיןthe weaversהִיאitהַנְסָכַתis the mounting ofהַמַּסֶּכֶתthe warpוְזֶהand this oneהַמּוֹתֵחַwho stretchesנִקְרָאis calledמֵסֵךְ.one who sets the warpוּכְשֶׁכּוֹפְלִיןand when they bendאוֹתָהּitוּמַתְחִילand beginלְהַכְנִיסto insertהַשְּׁתִיthe warpבָּעֵרֶבin the woofנִקְרָאit is calledאוֹרֵג:weaving
This halacha defines the creative processes of preparing the loom and weaving the threads on Shabbos.
הל׳ יח
מְלֶאכֶת הַמֵּסֵךְ וְהָאוֹרֵג וְשִׁעוּרֵיהֶםHalacha 18 · The Labors of Mounting the Warp and Weaving and Their Minimum Measures
הַמֵּסֵךְThe one who mounts the warpחַיָּבis liableוְהִיאand itמְלָאכָהis a laborמֵאֲבוֹתfrom the primary categories ofמְלָאכוֹת.laborsוְהַשּׁוֹבֵטand the one who beatsעַלonהַחוּטִיןthe threadsעַדuntilשֶׁיִּפָּרְקוּthey separateוִיתַקְּנֵםand aligns themהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמֵסֵךְ.mounting the warpוְכַמָּהAnd how muchשִׁעוּרוֹis its measureמִשֶּׁיְּתַקֵּןfrom when he preparesרֹחַבa width ofשְׁתֵּיtwoאֶצְבָּעוֹת.fingerbreadthsוְכֵןAnd similarlyהָאוֹרֵגthe one who weavesשְׁנֵיtwoחוּטִיןthreadsבְּרֹחַבin a width ofשְׁתֵּיtwoאֶצְבָּעוֹתfingerbreadthsחַיָּב.is liableבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁאֲרָגָןhe wove themבַּתְּחִלָּהat the beginningבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיָהthere wasמִקְצָתa part ofהַבֶּגֶדthe garmentאָרוּגwovenוְאָרַגand he woveעַלuponהָאָרוּגthe woven partשִׁעוּרוֹits measureשְׁנֵיis twoחוּטִין.threadsוְאִםAnd ifאָרַגhe woveחוּטthreadאֶחָדoneוְהִשְׁלִיםand completedבּוֹwith itהַבֶּגֶדthe garmentחַיָּב.he is liableאָרַגIf he woveבִּשְׂפַתon the edge ofהַיְרִיעָהthe sheetשְׁנֵיtwoחוּטִיןthreadsבְּרֹחַבin a width ofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeבָּתֵּיhouses ofנִירִיןheddlesחַיָּב.he is liableהָאToלְמָהwhatזֶהis thisדּוֹמֶהsimilarלְאוֹרֵגto weavingצִלְצוּלa beltקָטָןsmallבְּרֹחַבin a width ofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeבָּתֵּיhouses ofנִירִין:heddles
This halacha defines the primary labors of mounting the warp and weaving, their derivatives, and the minimum physical dimensions required to incur liability on Shabbos.
הל׳ יט
תּוֹלְדוֹת מְלֶאכֶת אוֹרֵג בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 19 · Derivatives of the Melacha of Weaving on Shabbos
הַמְדַקְדֵּקOne who straightensאֶת—הַחוּטִיןthe threadsוּמַפְרִידָןand separates themבְּעֵתat the time ofהָאֲרִיגָהthe weavingהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofאוֹרֵג.weavingוְכֵןand similarlyהַקּוֹלֵעַone who braidsאֶת—הַנִּימִיןthe hairsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofאוֹרֵגweavingוְשִׁעוּרוֹand its measureמִשֶּׁיַּעֲשֶׂהis from when he makesקְלִיעָהa braidבְּאֹרֶךְof a length ofשְׁתֵּיtwoאֶצְבָּעוֹת:fingerbreadths
This halacha defines the derivatives of weaving, which include straightening threads during weaving and braiding hair, along with their minimum liability measurements.
הל׳ כ
הַמַּפְרִישׁ אֶת הָאָרוּג וְהַסּוֹתֵר אֶת הַקְּלִיעָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 20 · The Prohibition of Separating Woven Fabric and Undoing a Braid on Shabbos
הַבּוֹצֵעַOne who separatesשְׁנֵיtwoחוּטִיןthreadsחַיָּב.is liableוּבוֹצֵעַand separatingהוּאisהַמַּפְרִישׁone who separatesאֶת—הָאָרוּג.the woven fabricבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהוֹצִיאhe removedהָעֵרֶבthe woofמִןfromהַשְּׁתִיthe warpאוֹorשֶׁהֶעֱבִירhe removedהַשְּׁתִיthe warpמֵעַלfrom uponהָעֵרֶבthe woofהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisבּוֹצֵעַis separatingוְחַיָּב.and he is liableוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאprovided thatיְהֵאhe is notמְקַלְקֵלdestroyingאֶלָּאunlessיִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendsלְתַקֵּןto improveכְּדֶרֶךְin the mannerשֶׁעוֹשִׂיןthat they doאֵלּוּthoseשֶׁמְּאַחִיןwho mendאֶת—הַבְּגָדִיםthe garmentsהַקַּלִּיםthe lightבְּיוֹתֵרexceedinglyשֶׁבּוֹצְעִיןwho separateוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatמְאַחִיןthey mendוְחוֹזְרִיןand returnוְאוֹרְגִיןand weaveחוּטִיןthe threadsשֶׁבָּצְעוּthat they separatedעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּthey are madeשְׁנֵיthe twoהַבְּגָדִיםgarmentsאוֹorשְׁנֵיthe twoהַקְּרָעִיםtearsאֶחָד.oneוְהַסּוֹתֵרAnd one who undoesאֶת—הַקְּלִיעָהthe braidלְתַקֵּןto improveהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeבּוֹצֵעַof separatingוְשִׁעוּרוֹand its measureכְּשִׁעוּרis like the measureהַבּוֹצֵעַ:of separating
This halacha defines the labor of botzei'a (separating woven threads) and its derivative of undoing a braid for constructive purposes.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by establishing that baking, cooking, and heating water are all part of the same melacha, defining the shiur for heating water as enough to wash a small limb. The Rambam then explains that cooking with a derivative of fire (like a hot kettle removed from the flame) carries the same liability as cooking with fire itself, which includes washing certain salted fish with hot water to complete their preparation. We learn that while cooking with the sun's heat is permitted, the Chachamim forbade cooking with derivatives of the sun's heat (like sand heated by the sun) as a decree to prevent people from cooking with derivatives of fire. Finally, the Rambam clarifies that there is no liability for cooking food that is already completely cooked or does not require cooking at all, and outlines how multiple people who participate in different stages of preparing a pot on the fire can all become liable for their respective roles in the cooking process.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
In Hilchos Shabbos, we learn that cooking is not just about the person who lights the flame; it is a chain of small, seemingly minor actions. One person brings the wood, another the water, another the spices, and another stirs. In the eyes of the Torah, every single one of them is a partner in the final outcome. This is a profound lesson for our daily avodah. We often look at the great builders of Torah, the famous askanim, or the big donors, and think, "What is my small, quiet mitzvah worth?" Hashem is teaching us here that every single hand that helps, every small word of encouragement, every penny given to tzedakah, and every moment a mother spends preparing a child for cheder makes them a full partner in the ultimate creation of Torah and yiras Shamayim.
We also see this in the halachos of washing the soft fish or melting wax—even a gentle, indirect heat can completely transform a substance. In our own lives, we must realize the power of our subtle influences. A warm smile, a soft word of emunah spoken at the Shabbos table, or a gentle boundary set with love can completely melt a cold heart or shape a child's neshama forever. You do not need a roaring fire to make a permanent impact; the quiet, steady warmth of a Yid's lifestyle does the work.
Today, consciously look for one small way to "stir the pot" of a mitzvah or a chesed that someone else started, realizing that by adding your small part, Hashem considers it as if you accomplished the entire thing yourself.