Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we will learn the halachos of several of the thirty-nine melachos of Shabbos, focusing on those related to taking life and preparing hides. Hashem commanded us to refrain from these creative acts on His holy day, and we begin by exploring the melacha of Shochet (slaughtering), which includes any form of taking a creature's life, whether it is a mammal, bird, fish, or even certain insects. We will learn which creatures are forbidden to kill and the special cases where dangerous pests may be destroyed to protect human life.
Following this, the Rambam guides us through the melachos involved in processing leather, which were used in the Mishkan to make the beautiful coverings. These include Mafshit (skinning), Me'abed (tanning/processing), and Memachek (smoothing). Through these halachos, we gain a deeper understanding of how we must guard our actions on Shabbos, ensuring that every act of labor is sanctified and kept within the boundaries of the Torah.
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 נְטִילַת נְשָׁמָה וְתוֹלְדוֹת שׁוֹחֵט בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Taking a Life and the Derivatives of Slaughtering on Shabbos
הַשׁוֹחֵטOne who slaughtersחַיָּב.is liableוְלֹאand notשׁוֹחִטslaughtersבִּלְבַדonlyאֶלָּאbutכָּלanyoneהַנּוֹטֵלwho takesנְשָׁמָהa soulלְאֶחָדfrom oneמִכָּלof allמִינֵיtypes ofחַיָּהwild beastוּבְהֵמָהand domestic animalוְעוֹףand fowlוְדָגand fishוְשֶׁרֶץand creeping creatureבֵּיןwhetherבִּשְׁחִיטָהby slaughteringאוֹorבִּנְחִירָהby stabbingאוֹorבְּהַכָּאָהby strikingחַיָּב.is liableהַחוֹנֵקOne who stranglesאֶת—הַחַיthe living creatureעַדuntilשֶׁיָּמוּתit diesהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofשׁוֹחֵט.slaughteringלְפִיכָךְThereforeאִםifהֶעֱלָהone took upדָּגa fishמִסֵּפֶלfrom a bowlשֶׁלofמַיִםwaterוְהִנִּיחוֹand left itעַדuntilשֶׁמֵּתit diedחַיָּבhe is liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofחוֹנֵק.stranglingוְלֹאand notעַדuntilשֶׁיָּמוּתit diesאֶלָּאbutכֵּיוָןonceשֶׁיָּבֵשׁthere driedבּוֹon itכְּסֶלַעlike a selaבֵּיןbetweenסְנַפִּירָיוits finsחַיָּבhe is liableשֶׁעוֹדfor furtherאֵינוֹit is notיָכוֹלableלִחְיוֹת.to liveהוֹשִׁיטOne who insertsיָדוֹhis handלִמְעֵיinto the womb ofהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalוְדִלְדֵּלand detachedעֵבָּרthe fetusשֶׁבְּמֵעֶיהָthat is in its wombחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines the melacha of slaughtering, explaining that taking any creature's life by any means—including strangling, drying out a fish, or detaching a fetus—renders one liable.
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הוֹרֵג רְמָשִׂים וְתוֹלָעִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · Killing Creeping Things and Worms on Shabbos
רְמָשִׂיםcreeping thingsשֶׁהֵןthat theyפָּרִיןreproduceוְרָבִיןand multiplyמִזָּכָרfrom maleוּנְקֵבָהand femaleאוֹorנֶהֱוִיןare formedמִןfromהֶעָפָרthe dustכְּמוֹlikeהַפַּרְעוֹשִׁיןthe fleasהַהוֹרֵגone who killsאוֹתָןthemחַיָּבis liableכְּהוֹרֵגlike one who killsבְּהֵמָהa domestic animalוְחַיָּה.or a wild animalאֲבָלbutרְמָשִׂיםcreeping thingsשֶׁהֲוָיָתָןwhose formation isמִןfromהַגְּלָלִיםthe dungוּמִןand fromהַפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsשֶׁהִבְאִישׁוּthat rottedוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןwith themכְּגוֹןsuch asתּוֹלָעִיםwormsשֶׁלofבָּשָׂרmeatוְתוֹלָעִיםand wormsשֶׁבְּתוֹךְthat are insideהַקִּטְנִיּוֹתthe legumesהַהוֹרְגָןone who kills themפָּטוּר:is exempt
The Rambam distinguishes between creatures that reproduce sexually or from dust, and those that spontaneously generate from rotting matter, regarding the prohibition of killing on Shabbos.
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הֶתֵּר הֲרִיגַת כִּנִּים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 3 · Permissibility of Searching for and Killing Lice on Shabbos
הַמְפַלֶּהOne who searchesכֵּלָיוhis garmentsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמוֹלֵלrubsאֶת—הַכִּנִּיםthe liceוְזוֹרְקָן.and throws themוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלַהֲרֹגto killאֶת—הַכִּנִּיםthe liceבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthat theyמִןfromהַזֵּעָה:the sweat
Lice may be killed on Shabbos because they are considered to generate from sweat rather than through male and female reproduction.
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הֶתֵּר הֲרִיגַת מַזִּיקִין וּבַעֲלֵי חַיִּים מְסֻכָּנִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 4 · Permissibility of Killing Dangerous Animals and Pests on Shabbos
חַיָּהA beastוְרֶמֶשׂand insectשֶׁהֵןthat theyנוֹשְׁכִיןbiteוּמְמִיתִיןand killוַדַּאיcertainlyכְּגוֹןsuch asזְבוּבthe flyשֶׁבְּמִצְרַיִםthat is in Mitzrayimוְצִרְעָהand the hornetשֶׁבְּנִינְוֵהthat is in Ninevehוְעַקְרָבand the scorpionשֶׁבַּחֲדַיֵיבthat is in Chadyabוְנָחָשׁand the snakeשֶׁבְּאֶרֶץthat is in the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְכֶלֶבand a dogשׁוֹטֶהmadבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהָרְגָןto kill themבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּשֶׁיֵּרָאוּ.when they are seenוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofכָּלallהַמַּזִּיקִיןthe damaging onesאִםifהָיוּthey wereרָצִיןrunningאַחֲרָיוafter himמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהָרְגָןto kill themוְאִםand ifהָיוּthey wereיוֹשְׁבִיןsittingבִּמְקוֹמָןin their placeאוֹorבּוֹרְחִיןfleeingמִלְּפָנָיוfrom before himאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהָרְגָן.to kill themוְאִםand ifדּוֹרְסָןhe steps on themלְפִיaccording toתֻּמּוֹhis innocenceבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofהִלּוּכוֹhis walkingוְהוֹרְגָןand kills themמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha details which dangerous creatures may be killed on Shabbos due to life-threatening danger, and the rules for other pests.
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מְלָאכוֹת מַפְשִׁיט מְעַבֵּד וּמוֹחֵק בְּעוֹרHalacha 5 · The Melachos of Skinning, Processing, and Smoothing Hide on Shabbos
הַמַּפְשִׁיטOne who skinsמִןfromהָעוֹרthe hideכְּדֵיenoughלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeקָמֵעַan amuletחַיָּב.is liableוְכֵןand similarlyהַמְעַבֵּדone who processesמִןfromהָעוֹרthe hideכְּדֵיenoughלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeקָמֵעַan amuletחַיָּב.is liableוְאֶחָדand bothהַמּוֹלֵחַone who saltsוְאֶחָדandהַמְעַבֵּדone who processesשֶׁהַמְּלִיחָהfor saltingמִיןa type ofעִבּוּדprocessingהוּאisוְאֵיןand there is noעִבּוּדprocessingבָּאֳכָלִין.regarding foodstuffsוְכֵןand similarlyהַמּוֹחֵקone who smoothsמִןfromהָעוֹרthe hideכְּדֵיenoughלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeקָמֵעַan amuletחַיָּב.is liableוְאֵיand whichזֶהוּisמוֹחֵקsmoothingזֶהthisהַמַּעֲבִירone who removesשֵׂעָרhairאוֹorהַצֶּמֶרthe woolמֵעַלfrom uponהָעוֹרthe hideאַחַרafterמִיתָהdeathעַדuntilשֶׁיַּחֲלִיקhe makes smoothפְּנֵיthe surface ofהָעוֹר:the hide
This halacha defines the minimum measures and specific actions that constitute the forbidden labors of skinning, processing, and smoothing hides on Shabbos.
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תּוֹלְדוֹת מַפְשִׁיט מְעַבֵּד וּמוֹחֵק בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 6 · Derivatives of Skinning Processing and Smoothing on Shabbos
הַמְפָרֵקOne who separatesדּוּכְסוּסְטוּסduchsustosמֵעַלfrom uponהַקְּלָףthe k'lafהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמַפְשִׁיטof skinningוְחַיָּב.and is liableהַמְפָרֵקOne who separatesמִןfromהָעוֹרthe hideכְּדֵיenoughלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeקָמֵעַan amuletחַיָּבis liable.הַדּוֹרֵסOne who treadsעַלuponהָעוֹרthe hideבְּרַגְלוֹwith his footעַדuntilשֶׁיִּתְקַשֶּׁהit hardensאוֹorהַמְרַכְּכוֹone who softens itבְּיָדוֹwith his handוּמוֹשְׁכוֹand stretches itוּמַשְׁוֶהand levelsאוֹתוֹitכְּדֶרֶךְin the mannerשֶׁהָרַצְעָנִיןthat the leather workersעוֹשִׂיןdoהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמְעַבֵּדof processingוְחַיָּב.and is liableהַמּוֹרֵטOne who plucksנוֹצָהa featherמִןfromהָאֶבְרָהthe wingהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמוֹחֵקof smoothingוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמְמָרֵחַone who smearsרְטִיָּהa poulticeכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountאוֹorשַׁעֲוָהwaxאוֹorזֶפֶתpitchוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themמִדְּבָרִיםfrom thingsהַמִּתְמָרְחִיןthat are smearedעַדuntilשֶׁיַּחֲלִיקhe smoothsפְּנֵיהֶםtheir surfaceחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםon account ofמוֹחֵק.smoothingוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַשָּׁףone who rubsבְּיָדוֹwith his handעַלuponהָעוֹרthe hideהַמָּתוּחַthat is stretchedבֵּיןbetweenהָעַמּוּדִיםthe pillarsחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםon account ofמוֹחֵק:smoothing
This halacha details the derivatives of the forbidden labors of skinning, processing hides, and smoothing surfaces on Shabbos.
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אִסּוּר מְחַתֵּךְ בְּעוֹר וּבְעֵצִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 7 · The Forbidden Melacha of Cutting Hide and Wood on Shabbos
הַמְחַתֵּךְOne who cutsמִןfromהָעוֹרthe hideכְּדֵיenoughלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeקָמֵעַan amuletחַיָּב.is liableוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיִּתְכַּוֵּןprovided that he intendsלְמִדַּתfor the measure ofאָרְכּוֹits lengthוּמִדַּתand the measure ofרָחְבּוֹits widthוְיַחְתֹּךְand cutsבְּכַוָּנָהwith intentionשֶׁהִיאwhich isמְלָאכָה.melachaאֲבָלbutאִםifחָתַךְhe cutדֶּרֶךְby way ofהֶפְסֵדdestructionאוֹorבְּלֹאwithoutכַּוָּנָהintentionלְמִדָּתוֹfor its measureאֶלָּאbutכְּמִתְעַסֵּקlike one acting without intentאוֹorכִּמְשַׂחֵקlike one playingהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneפָּטוּר.is exemptהַקּוֹטֵםOne who trimsאֶת—הַכָּנָףthe wingהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמְחַתֵּךְcuttingוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְכֵןand similarlyהַמְגָרֵדone who scrapesרָאשֵׁיthe heads ofכְּלוּנְסוֹתbeamsשֶׁלofאֶרֶזcedarחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְחַתֵּךְ.cuttingוְכֵןand similarlyכָּלanyחֲתִיכָהpieceשֶׁיַּחְתֹּךְthat he cutsחָרַשׁa craftsman ofעֵץwoodמִןfromהָעֵצִיםthe woodsאוֹorחָרַשׁa craftsman ofמַתֶּכֶתmetalמִןfromהַמַּתָּכוֹתthe metalsחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְחַתֵּךְ.cuttingהַנּוֹטֵלOne who takesקֵיסָםa splinterשֶׁלofעֵץwoodמִלְּפָנָיוfrom before himוּקְטָמוֹand trimmed itלַחְצֹץto pickבּוֹwith itשִׁנָּיוhis teethאוֹorלִפְתֹּחַto openבּוֹwith itאֶת—הַדֶּלֶתthe doorחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines the parameters of the forbidden labor of cutting to a specific size, including its derivatives such as trimming wings or shaping wood.
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קְטִימַת מַאֲכַל בְּהֵמָה וַעֲצֵי בְּשָׂמִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · Trimming Animal Fodder and Fragrant Wood on Shabbos
כָּלAnyדָּבָרthingשֶׁהוּאthat isרָאוּיfitלְמַאֲכַלfor food ofבְּהֵמָהan animalכְּגוֹןsuch asתֶּבֶןstrawוַעֲשָׂבִיםand grassesלַחִיםmoistוְהוּצִיןand palm-branchesוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themמֻתָּרit is permittedלִקְטֹםto trimאוֹתָןthemבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהֶןin themתִּקּוּןfixing ofכֵּלִים.utensilsוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלִקְטֹםto trimעֲצֵיwood ofבְּשָׂמִיםspicesלְהָרִיחַto smellבָּהֶןthemאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֵןthat they areקָשִׁיםhardוִיבֵשִׁין.and dryוּמְפַשֵּׁחַand one may stripמֵהֶןfrom themכָּלanyמַהwhatשֶּׁיִּרְצֶהthat he wantsבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁפָּשַׁחthat he strippedעֵץwoodגָּדוֹלlargeבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁפָּשַׁחthat he strippedעֵץwoodקָטָן:small
This halacha discusses the permissibility of trimming animal food and fragrant branches on Shabbos, as the prohibition of making a utensil does not apply to these items.
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הַכּוֹתֵב וְהַמּוֹחֵק בְּשַׁבָּת וְשִׁעוּר הַכְּתִיבָהHalacha 9 · The Melachos of Writing and Erasing on Shabbos and Their Required Measures
הַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesשְׁתֵּיtwoאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersחַיָּב.is liableהַמּוֹחֵקOne who erasesכְּתָבwritingעַלonמְנָתconditionלִכְתֹּבto writeבִּמְקוֹםin the place ofהַמַּחַקthe erasureשְׁתֵּיtwoאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersחַיָּב.is liableהכּוֹתֵבOne who writesאוֹתletterאַחַתoneגְּדוֹלָהlargeכִּשְׁתַּיִםlike twoפָּטוּר.is exemptמָחַקIf one erasedאוֹתletterאַחַתoneגְּדוֹלָהlargeוְיֵשׁand there isבִּמְקוֹמָהּin its placeכְּדֵיenoughלִכְתֹּבto writeשְׁתַּיִםtwoחַיָּב.he is liableכָּתַבIf one wroteאוֹתletterאַחַתoneוְהִשְׁלִיםand completedבָּהּwith itאֶת—הַסֵּפֶרthe bookחַיָּב.he is liableהַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesעַלonמְנָתconditionלְקַלְקֵלto ruinהָעוֹרthe hideחַיָּבis liableשֶׁאֵיןfor notחִיּוּבוֹhis liabilityעַלis onמְקוֹםthe place ofהַכְּתָבthe writingאֶלָּאbut ratherעַלonהַכְּתָב.the writingאֲבָלButהַמּוֹחֵקone who erasesעַלonמְנָתconditionלְקַלְקֵלto ruinפָּטוּר.is exemptנָפְלָהIf fellדְּיוֹinkעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofסֵפֶרa bookוּמָחַקand he erasedאוֹתָהּ.itנָפְלָהor if fellשַׁעֲוָהwaxעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהַפִּנְקָסthe tabletוּמָחַקand he erasedאוֹתָהּ.itאִםifיֵשׁthere isבִּמְקוֹמָהּin its placeכְּדֵיenoughלִכְתֹּבto writeשְׁתֵּיtwoאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha defines the minimum measure of writing and erasing for which one is liable on Shabbos, as well as the status of completing a book with a single letter.
הל׳ י
הַכּוֹתֵב שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת בְּכָל כְּתָב וְלָשׁוֹןHalacha 10 · Writing Two Letters of a Word in Any Script or Language
הַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesאוֹתa letterכְּפוּלָהdoubledפַּעֲמַיִםtwiceוְהוּאand itשֵׁםis a wordאֶחָדoneכְּמוֹlikeדָּדdadתֵּתtetגַּגgagרָרrarשָׂשׂsasסָסsasחָחchachחַיָּב.is liableוְהַכּוֹתֵבand one who writesבְּכָלin anyכְּתָבscriptוּבְכָלand in anyלָשׁוֹןlanguageחַיָּבis liableוַאֲפִלּוּand evenמִשְּׁנֵיfrom twoסִימָנִיּוֹת:marks
This halacha defines the liability for writing on Shabbos, including writing a two-letter word by repeating a single letter, or writing in any language or script.
הל׳ יא
כְּתִיבַת שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת שֶׁאֵינָן נֶהֱגִין יַחַד וּכְתִיבָה עַל גַּבֵּי כְּתָבHalacha 11 · Writing One Letter Next to Existing Writing and Letters That Cannot Be Read Together
הַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesאוֹתletterאַחַתoneסָמוּךְnext toלַכְּתָבwritingאוֹorכְּתָבwritingעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofכְּתָבwritingוְהַמִּתְכַּוֵּןand one who intendsלִכְתֹּבto writeחֵי"תa chetוְכָתַבand wroteשְׁנֵיtwoזַיִנִּי"ןzeininsוְכֵןand soכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶהto thisבִּשְׁאָרwith otherאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersוְהַכּוֹתֵבand one who writesאוֹתletterאַחַתoneבָּאָרֶץon the groundוְאוֹתand letterאַחַתoneבַּקּוֹרָהon the beamשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאֵיןthey are notנֶהֱגִיןreadזֶהthisעִםwithזֶהthisאוֹorשֶׁכָּתַבwho wroteשְׁתֵּיtwoאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersבִּשְׁנֵיon twoדַּפֵּיpages ofפִּנְקָסa tabletוְאֵינָןand they are notנֶהֱגִיןreadזֶהthisעִםwithזֶהthisפָּטוּר.is exemptכְּתָבָןIf he wrote themבִּשְׁנֵיon twoכָּתְלֵיwalls ofזָוִיתa cornerאוֹorבִּשְׁנֵיon twoדַּפֵּיpages ofפִּנְקָסa tabletוְהֵןand theyנֶהֱגִיןare readזֶהthisעִםwithזֶהthisחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha discusses the exemption for writing letters that cannot be read as a single unit due to their separation, and the status of writing over existing writing.
הל׳ יב
כְּתִיבַת שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת בִּשְׁנֵי מְקוֹמוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 12 · Writing Two Letters in Two Different Places on Shabbos
לָקַחIf he tookגְּוִילparchmentוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itוְכָתַבand wroteעָלָיוupon itאוֹתletterאַחַתoneבִּמְדִינָהin a provinceזוֹthisוְהָלַךְand wentבְּאוֹתוֹon thatהַיּוֹםdayוְכָתַבand wroteאוֹתa letterשְׁנִיָּהsecondבִּמְדִינָהin a provinceאַחֶרֶתanotherבִּמְגִלָּהon a scrollאַחֶרֶתanotherחַיָּב.he is liableשֶׁבִּזְמַןbecause at the timeשֶׁמְּקָרְבָןthat he brings them closeנֶהֱגִיןthey are readזֶהthisעִםwithזֶהthisוְאֵינָןand they are notמְחֻסָּרִיןlackingמַעֲשֶׂהan actionלִקְרִיבָתָן:for their bringing close
This halacha teaches that writing two letters on separate parchments in different locations still incurs liability because they can be brought together to be read.
הל׳ יג
כְּתִיבַת אוֹת אַחַת וְחִלּוּק אוֹתִיּוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · Writing a Single Letter and Dividing Letters on Shabbos
הַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesאוֹתletterאַחַתoneאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁקּוֹרִיםthat they readמִמֶּנָּהfrom itתֵּבָהwordשְׁלֵמָהcompleteפָּטוּר.is exemptכֵּיצַד.How soכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁכָּתַבthat he wroteמ'memוְהַכּלand everyoneקוֹרִיןreadsאוֹתָהּitמַעֲשֵׂר.ma'aserאוֹorשֶׁכְּתָבָהּthat he wrote itבְּמָקוֹםin place ofמִנְיָןnumberשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהִיאitכְּמוֹis likeשֶׁכָּתַבthat he wroteאַרְבָּעִיםfortyהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneפָּטוּר.is exemptהַמַּגִּיהַּOne who correctsאוֹתletterאַחַתoneוְעָשָׂהand madeאוֹתָהּitשְׁתַּיִםtwoכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁחִלֵּקthat he dividedגַּגthe roof ofהַחֵי"תthe chetוְנַעֲשֵׂיתand it becameשְׁנֵיtwoזַיִנִּי"ןzayinsחַיָּב.is liableוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha discusses the liability of writing a single letter that represents a full word or number, and the liability of dividing one letter into two.
הל׳ יד
כְּתִיבָה בְּשִׁנּוּי וּבְיַד שְׂמֹאל וְעַל יְדֵי קָטָןHalacha 14 · Writing in an Unusual Manner, with the Left Hand, or via a Minor
הַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesבִּשְׂמֹאלוֹwith his leftאוֹorלְאַחַרwith the back ofיָדוֹhis handבְּרַגְלוֹwith his footבְּפִיוwith his mouthוּבְמַרְפֵּקוֹor with his elbowפָּטוּר.is exemptאִטֵּרA left-handed personשֶׁכָּתַבwho wroteבִּימִינוֹwith his rightשֶׁהִיאwhich isלוֹto himכִּשְׂמֹאלlike the left ofכָּלeveryאָדָםmanפָּטוּר.is exemptוְאִםand ifכָּתַבhe wroteבִּשְׂמֹאלוֹwith his leftחַיָּב.he is liableוְהַשּׁוֹלֵטAnd one who rulesבִּשְׁתֵּיwith both ofיָדָיוhis handsבְּשָׁוֶהequallyוְכָתַבand wroteבֵּיןwhetherבִּימִינוֹwith his rightבֵּיןwhetherבִּשְׂמֹאלוֹwith his leftחַיָּב.he is liableקָטָןA minorאוֹחֵזholdingבְּקֻלְמוֹסa penוְגָדוֹלand an adultאוֹחֵזholdingבְּיָדוֹhis handוְכוֹתֵבand writingחַיָּב.is liableגָּדוֹלAn adultאוֹחֵזholdingבְּקֻלְמוֹסa penוְקָטָןand a minorאוֹחֵזholdingבְּיָדוֹhis handוְכוֹתֵבand writingפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha details the exemptions for writing in an unusual manner, the rules for left-handed and ambidextrous individuals, and the status of joint writing by an adult and a minor.
הל׳ טו
כְּתִיבָה וּמְחִיקָה בְּדָבָר הָעוֹמֵד עַל גַּבֵּי דָּבָר הָעוֹמֵדHalacha 15 · Writing and Erasing with a Permanent Substance on a Durable Surface
אֵיןNotהַכּוֹתֵבone who writesחַיָּבis liableעַדuntilשֶׁיִּכְתֹּבhe writesבְּדָבָרwith a substanceהָרוֹשֵׁםthat leaves a markוְעוֹמֵדand enduresכְּגוֹןsuch asדְּיוֹinkוְשָׁחוֹרand blackingוְסִקְרָאand vermilionוְקוֹמוֹסand gumוְקַנְקַנְתּוֹםand vitriolוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶם.of themוְיִכְתֹּבand he writesעַלonדָּבָרa thingשֶׁמִּתְקַיֵּםthat preservesהַכְּתָבthe writingעָלָיוupon itכְּגוֹןsuch asעוֹרhideוּקְלָףand parchmentוּנְיָרand paperוְעֵץand woodוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶם.of themאֲבָלbutהַכּוֹתֵבone who writesבְּדָבָרwith a substanceשֶׁאֵיןwhoseרִשּׁוּמוֹmarkעוֹמֵדdoes not endureכְּגוֹןsuch asמַשְׁקִיןliquidsוּמֵיand juice ofפֵּרוֹת.fruitsאוֹorשֶׁכָּתַבwho wroteבִּדְיוֹwith inkוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבּוֹof itעַלonעֲלֵיleaves ofיְרָקוֹתvegetablesוְעַלand onכָּלanyדָּבָרthingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat does notעוֹמֵדendureפָּטוּר.is exemptאֵינוֹhe is notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיִּכְתֹּבhe writesבְּדָבָרwith a substanceהָעוֹמֵדthat enduresעַלonדָּבָרa thingהָעוֹמֵד.that enduresוְכֵןand likewiseאֵיןnotהַמּוֹחֵקone who erasesחַיָּבis liableעַדuntilשֶׁיִּמְחֹקhe erasesכְּתָבwritingהָעוֹמֵדthat enduresמֵעַלfrom uponדָּבָרa thingהָעוֹמֵד:that endures
This halacha defines the Melacha of writing and erasing on Shabbos, establishing that liability is only incurred when both the writing material and the writing surface are durable and permanent.
הל׳ טז
כְּתִיבָה עַל הַבָּשָׂר וְעַל הָעוֹר וּכְתִיבָה עַל גַּבֵּי כְּתָבHalacha 16 · Writing on Human Skin, Tearing Letters in Hide, and Tracing Over Existing Writing on Shabbos
הַכּוֹתֵבOne who writesעַלonבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshחַיָּבis liableמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itעוֹרis hideאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁחֲמִימוּתthat the warmth ofבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshמַעֲבֶרֶתpasses awayהַכְּתָבthe writingלְאַחַרafterזְמַןtimeהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisדּוֹמֶהis similarלִכְתָבto writingשֶׁנִּמְחַק.that was erasedאֲבָלbutהַמְשָׂרֵטone who scratchesעַלonבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshצוּרַתthe form ofכְּתָבwritingפָּטוּר.is exemptהַקּוֹרֵעַOne who tearsעַלonהָעוֹרthe hideכְּתַבְנִיתthe shape ofכְּתָבwritingחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofכּוֹתֵב.writingהָרוֹשֵׁםOne who marksעַלonהָעוֹרthe hideכְּתַבְנִיתthe shape ofכְּתָבwritingפָּטוּר.is exemptהַמַּעֲבִירOne who passesדְּיוֹinkעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofסִקְרָאvermilionחַיָּבis liableשְׁתַּיִםtwoאַחַתoneמִשּׁוּםbecause ofכּוֹתֵבwritingוְאַחַתand oneמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמוֹחֵק.erasingהֶעֱבִירIf he passedדְּיוֹinkעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofדְּיוֹinkוְסִקְרָאor vermilionעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofסִקְרָאvermilionאוֹorסִקְרָאvermilionעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofדְּיוֹinkפָּטוּר:he is exempt
This halacha details the parameters of the melacha of writing on Shabbos, including writing on skin, scratching letters, and tracing over existing ink or vermilion.
הל׳ יז
מְלֶאכֶת כּוֹתֵב וּמוֹחֵק וּמְשַׂרְטֵט בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 17 · The Forbidden Labors of Writing, Erasing, and Ruling Lines on Shabbos
רוֹשֵׁםMaking designsתּוֹלֶדֶתa derivativeכּוֹתֵבof writingהוּא.isכֵּיצַד.how soהָרוֹשֵׁםone who makesרְשָׁמִיםdesignsוְצוּרוֹתand formsבְּכֹתֶלon a wallוּבְשָׁשַׁרand with red colorוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןwith themכְּדֶרֶךְas the wayשֶׁהַצַּיָּרִיןthat artistsרוֹשְׁמִיםdesignהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofכּוֹתֵב.writingוְכֵןand likewiseהַמּוֹחֵקone who erasesאֶת—הָרִשּׁוּםthe designלְתַקֵּןto correctהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמוֹחֵקof erasingוְחַיָּב.and is liableהַמְשַׂרְטֵטone who rules a lineכְּדֵיin orderלִכְתֹּבto writeשְׁתֵּיtwoאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersתַּחַתunderאוֹתוֹthatשִׂרְטוּטlineחַיָּב.is liableחָרָשֵׁיcarpentersהָעֵצִיםof woodשֶׁמַּעֲבִירִיןwho drawחוּטa lineשֶׁלofסִקְרָאred paintעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe back ofהַקּוֹרָהthe beamכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּנְסֹרthat he may sawבְּשָׁוֶהevenlyהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמְשַׂרְטֵט.of ruling a lineוְכֵןand likewiseהַגַּבָּלִיםstonecuttersשֶׁעוֹשִׂיםwho doכֵּןsoבַּאֲבָנִיםon stonesכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּפַצֵּלthat he may splitהָאֶבֶןthe stoneבְּשָׁוֶה.evenlyוְאֶחָדand bothהַמְשַׂרְטֵטone who rules a lineבְּצֶבַעwith colorאוֹorבְּלֹאwithoutצֶבַעcolorהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines the derivatives of writing, erasing, and ruling lines, including drawing designs, erasing to correct, and marking wood or stone to ensure straight cuts.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
This chapter details the prohibitions of taking life and preparing hides on Shabbos. The Rambam rules that anyone who takes the life of any living creature—whether by slaughtering, stabbing, or even removing a fish from water—is liable for Shochet, though exceptions are made for killing dangerous pests that pose a threat to life. The chapter then transitions to the melachos of processing hides, explaining that skinning, salting, tanning, and smoothing a hide to the minimum size of an amulet makes one liable. Finally, the Rambam defines the specific act of separating the layers of a hide, namely duchsustos from k'laf, as a derivative of the melacha of smoothing.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The holy Shabbos is a day of complete rest, but our learning teaches us that this rest is not a passive slumber; it is a state of deep, active mindfulness. When the Torah forbids us from taking a life—even that of a tiny fish by merely letting it dry out, or an insect that reproduces—it is training our souls to recognize the immense power of our actions. On Shabbos, we step back from manipulating the physical world. We do not skin, smooth, salt, or cut to size, nor do we write even two small letters. We realize that every small act of ours leaves a permanent mark on creation.
This is the beautiful avodah of Shabbos. By carefully governing our hands, our speech, and our movements, we build a sanctuary of yiras Shamayim. We show Hashem that we recognize His mastery over every detail of the universe. If the Torah cares so deeply about the life of a small creature or the writing of two letters, how much more does Hashem cherish every single word of Torah we speak, every mitzvah we perform, and every moment we choose restraint over impulse?
Today, take one moment before Shabbos begins to consciously pause and think about the holiness of your actions. Before you do a simple physical act, remind yourself: "I am a servant of Hashem, and my hands are holy."