Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we learn the halachos of shevisas behemah—the Torah obligation to ensure that one's animals rest on Shabbos. Hashem commanded us that not only we, but also our beasts, must cease from melacha on the holy day. We will explore the source of this mitzvah, which animals are included, and the nature of the prohibition against having an animal carry a burden or perform labor like plowing on Shabbos.
We will also learn the Rabbinic safeguards established by our Sages to protect this holy mitzvah. This includes the gezeirah against selling, hiring, or lending large animals to a non-Jew, lest it lead to violating the Torah prohibition of working one's animal on Shabbos, as well as the specific exceptions and penalties involved in these laws.
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 מַשָּׂא עַל הַבְּהֵמָה וּשְׁבִיתָתָהּ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Placing a Burden on an Animal and its Resting on Shabbos
אָסוּרforbiddenלְהוֹצִיאto take outמַשָּׂאa burdenעַלuponהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכג23יב12"לְמַעַן"so thatיָנוּחַmay restשׁוֹרְךָyour oxוַחֲמֹרֶךָ"and your donkey"וְכָלand allבְּהֶמְתֶּךָ.your animalsאֶחָדoneשׁוֹרoxוַחֲמוֹרand donkeyוְאֶחָדand oneכָּלallבְּהֵמָהdomestic animalsחַיָּהwild beastsוָעוֹף.and fowlוְאִםand ifהוֹצִיאhe took outעַלuponהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heמְצֻוֶּהis commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתָתָהּits restingאֵינוֹhe is notלוֹקֶהlashedלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאִסּוּרוֹthat its prohibitionבָּאcomesמִכְּלַלfrom the rule ofעֲשֵׂה.a positive commandmentלְפִיכָךְthereforeהַמְחַמֵּרone who drivesאַחַרafterבְּהֶמְתּוֹhis animalבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְהָיָהand there wasעָלֶיהָupon herמַשּׂאוֹיa burdenפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha teaches that one's animals must rest on Shabbos, but driving a laden animal does not carry the penalty of lashes because it is derived from a positive commandment.
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אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת מְלָאכָה עִם הַבְּהֵמָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · The Prohibition of Performing Melacha with an Animal on Shabbos
וַהֲלֹאAnd is there notלָאוa prohibitionמְפֹרָשׁexplicitבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכ20י10"לֹא"Do notתַעֲשֶׂהdoכָלanyמְלָאכָהmelachaאַתָּהyouוּבִנְךָand your sonוּבִתֶּךָand your daughterוְעַבְדְּךָand your servantוַאֲמָתֶךָand your maidservantוּבְהֶמְתֶּךָ",and your animal"שֶׁלֹּאthat notיַחֲרשׁhe shall plowבָּהּwith itוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבַּחֲרִישָׁה.of plowingוְנִמְצָאand it is foundלָאוa prohibitionשֶׁנִּתָּןthat was givenלְאַזְהָרַתfor warning ofמִיתַתdeath ofבֵּיתhouse ofדִּיןjudgmentוְאֵיןand we do notלוֹקִיןlashעָלָיו:upon it
This halacha explains that working together with an animal is a Torah prohibition punishable by death, and therefore does not carry the punishment of lashes.
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אִסּוּר הַשְׁאָלָה וּמְכִירַת בְּהֵמָה גַּסָּה לְנָכְרִיHalacha 3 · Prohibition of Lending or Selling a Large Animal to a Non-Jew
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלְיִשְׂרָאֵלfor a Jewלְהַשְׁאִילto lendאוֹorלְהַשְׂכִּירto hire outבְּהֵמָהan animalגַּסָּהlargeלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַעֲשֶׂהhe will doבָּהּwith itמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאheמְצֻוֶּהis commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתַתthe resting ofבְּהֶמְתּוֹ.his animalאָסְרוּThey forbadeחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesלִמְכֹּרto sellבְּהֵמָהan animalגַּסָּהlargeלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewשֶׁמָּאlestיַשְׁאִילhe will lendאוֹorיַשְׂכִּיר.he will hire outוְאִםand ifמָכַרhe soldקוֹנְסִיןwe penalizeאוֹתוֹhimעַדup toעֲשָׂרָהten timesבְּדָמֶיהָits valueוּמַחֲזִירָהּ.and he must return itוַאֲפִלּוּand evenשְׁבוּרָהan injured oneאֵיןwe do notמוֹכְרִין.sellוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלוֹfor himלִמְכֹּרto sellלָהֶםto themעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofסַרְסוּרa brokerשֶׁהַסַּרְסוּרsince the brokerאֵינוֹdoes notמַשְׂכִּירhire outוְאֵינוֹand does notמַשְׁאִיל:lend
This halacha details the prohibition of lending, hiring, or selling a large animal to a non-Jew to prevent it from performing melacha on Shabbos.
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מְכִירַת בְּהֵמָה לְנָכְרִי וְלִיהוּדִי הֶחָשׁוּדHalacha 4 · Selling Animals to a Non-Jew and to a Suspected Jew
וּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלִמְכֹּרto sellלָהֶםto themסוּסa horseשֶׁאֵיןsince notהַסּוּסthe horseעוֹמֵדstandsאֶלָּאexceptלִרְכִיבַתfor riding ofאָדָםmanלֹאnotלְמַשּׂאוֹיfor a burdenוְהַחַיand the livingנוֹשֵׂאcarriesאֶת—עַצְמוֹ.itselfוּכְדֶרֶךְand just asשֶׁאָסְרוּthey forbadeלִמְכֹּרto sellלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewכָּךְsoאָסְרוּthey forbadeלִמְכֹּרto sellלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto a Jewהֶחָשׁוּדwho is suspectedלִמְכֹּרto sellלְנָכְרִי.to a non-Jewוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלִמְכֹּרto sellלָהֶםto themפָּרָהa cowלִשְׁחִיטָהfor slaughterוְשׁוֹחֵטand he slaughtersאוֹתָהּitבְּפָנָיו.in his presenceוְלֹאand notיִמְכֹּרshall he sellסְתָםwithout specificationאֲפִלּוּevenשׁוֹרan oxשֶׁלofפְּטָםfatteningשֶׁמָּאlestיַשְׁהֵאhe will delayאוֹתוֹitוְיַעֲבֹדand will workבּוֹ:with it
This halacha details the Rabbinic restrictions on selling certain animals to non-Jews lest they perform labor with them on Shabbos.
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מְכִירַת בְּהֵמָה לְנָכְרִיHalacha 5 · Selling Domestic and Wild Animals to a Non-Jew
מָקוֹםA placeשֶׁנָּהֲגוּwhere they accustomedלִמְכֹּרto sellלָהֶןto themבְּהֵמָהan animalדַּקָּהsmallמוֹכְרִין.they may sellמָקוֹםa placeשֶׁנָּהֲגוּwhere they accustomedשֶׁלֹּאthat notלִמְכֹּרto sellאֵיןone does notמוֹכְרִין.sellוּבְכָלand in everyמָקוֹםplaceאֵיןone does notמוֹכְרִיןsellלָהֶםto themחַיָּהa wild animalגַּסָּהlargeכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאֵיןthat notמוֹכְרִיןthey sellלָהֶםto themבְּהֵמָהa domestic animalגַּסָּהlargeאֶלָּאexceptעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofסַרְסוּר:a broker
This halacha discusses the local customs regarding selling small animals to non-Jews and the general prohibition of selling large animals to them.
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הַנָּחַת כִּיסוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי בְּהֵמָה בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 6 · Placing One's Purse on an Animal on Shabbos Eve
מִיOneשֶׁהֶחְשִׁיךְwho was overtaken by darknessבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayוְלֹאand notהָיָהthere wasעִמּוֹwith himנָכְרִיa non-Jewשֶׁיִּתֵּןthat he could giveלוֹto himכִּיסוֹhis purseוְהָיְתָהand there wasעִמּוֹwith himבְּהֵמָה.an animalמַנִּיחַhe placesכִּיסוֹhis purseעָלֶיהָupon itכְּשֶׁהִיאwhile itמְהַלֶּכֶתis walkingוּכְשֶׁתִּרְצֶהand when it desiresלַעֲמֹדto standנוֹטְלוֹhe removes itמֵעָלֶיהָfrom upon itכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתַּעֲמֹדit will standוְהוּאwhile itעָלֶיהָis upon itוּכְדֵיand in orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּהְיֶהthere will beשָׁםthereלֹאneitherעֲקִירָהuprootingוְלֹאnorהַנָּחָה.placingוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלוֹfor himלְהַנְהִיגָהּto lead itוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּקוֹלwith voiceכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהַכִּיסthat the purseעָלֶיהָis upon itכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִהְיֶהhe will beמְחַמֵּרdriving an animalבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוּגְזֵרַתand a decree ofחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesהִיאitשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַנִּיחַhe should placeכִּיסוֹhis purseעַלonגַּבֵּיthe back ofבְּהֵמָהan animalאֶלָּאunlessאִם·אֵיןthere is notעִמּוֹwith himנָכְרִי:a non-Jew
This halacha details how a traveler who is overtaken by darkness on Friday afternoon must handle his purse when no non-Jew is present to carry it.
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דִּין הַמּוֹצִיא כִּיסוֹ בַּשַּׁבָּת עַל יְדֵי חֵרֵשׁ שׁוֹטֶה וְקָטָןHalacha 7 · Carrying a Purse on Shabbos via a Deaf-Mute, Mentally Incompetent Individual, or Minor
הָיָהIf there wasעִמּוֹwith himחֵרֵשׁa deaf-muteשׁוֹטֶהa mentally incompetent individualוְקָטָןor a minorמַנִּיחַhe should placeכִּיסוֹhis purseעַלonהַחֲמוֹרthe donkeyוְאֵינוֹand he does notנוֹתְנוֹgive itלְאֶחָדto oneמֵהֶןof themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthey areאָדָםhuman beingsמִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.of IsraelהָיָהIf there wasעִמּוֹwith himחֵרֵשׁa deaf-muteוְשׁוֹטֶהand a mentally incompetent individualוְאֵיןand there is notעִמּוֹwith himבְּהֵמָהan animalנוֹתְנוֹhe should give itלְשׁוֹטֶה.to the mentally incompetent individualשׁוֹטֶהA mentally incompetent individualוְקָטָןand a minorנוֹתְנוֹhe should give itלְשׁוֹטֶה.to the mentally incompetent individualחֵרֵשׁA deaf-muteוְקָטָןand a minorנוֹתְנוֹhe should give itלְאֵיto whicheverזֶהoneמֵהֶןof themשֶׁיִּרְצֶה.that he wishesלֹאIf notהָיְתָהthere wasעִמּוֹwith himבְּהֵמָהan animalוְלֹאnorנָכְרִיa non-Jewוְלֹאnorאֶחָדoneמִכָּלof allאֵלּוּtheseמְהַלֵּךְhe should walkבּוֹwith itפָּחוֹתlessפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹת.cubitsוַאֲפִלּוּAnd evenמְצִיאָהa lost objectשֶׁבָּאָהthat cameלְיָדוֹinto his handמְהַלֵּךְhe should walkבָּהּwith itפָּחוֹתlessפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹת.cubitsאֲבָלButקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁתָּבוֹאit comesלְיָדוֹinto his handאִםifיָכוֹלhe is ableלְהַחְשִׁיךְto wait until nightfallעָלֶיהָover itמַחְשִׁיךְhe should wait until nightfallוְאִםand ifלָאוnotמוֹלִיכָהּhe may carry itפָּחוֹתlessפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹת:cubits
This halacha details the hierarchy of preference for transporting a purse or lost object on Shabbos when stranded on the road, prioritizing animals and then individuals of varying halachic capacity.
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דִּין הוֹצָאַת בְּהֵמָה בְּרֶסֶן וּבִשְׁמִירָה הָרְאוּיָה לָהּ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · Leading an Animal with Appropriate Restraints on Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלִמְשֹׁךְto pullאֶת—הַבְּהֵמָהthe animalבְּמֶתֶגwith a bitוָרֶסֶןand its bridleשֶׁלָּהּof hersלִרְשׁוּתto the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicוְהוּאand that isשֶׁתִּהְיֶהthat it isרְאוּיָהappropriateלְאוֹתוֹfor thatהָרֶסֶן.bridleכְּגוֹןfor exampleשִׁירa neck ringלְסוּסfor a horseוְאַפְסָרand a halterלְגָמָלfor a camelוַחֲטָםand a nose ringלְנָאקָהfor a female camelוְסוּגַרand a collarלְכֶלֶב.for a dogאֲבָלbutאִםifהוֹצִיאone took outבְּהֵמָהan animalבְּמֶתֶגwith a restraintשֶׁאֵיןthat is notמִשְׁתַּמֶּרֶתguardedבּוֹwith itכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁקָּשַׁרthat he tiedחֶבֶלa ropeבְּפִיin the mouthהַסּוּסof the horseאוֹorבְּמֶתֶגwith a restraintשֶׁאֵינָהּthat she does notצְרִיכָהneedלוֹitאֶלָּאratherמִשְׁתַּמֶּרֶתshe is guardedבְּפָחוֹתwith lessמִמֶּנּוּ.than itכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁהוֹצִיאthat he took outחֲמוֹרa donkeyבְּשִׁירwith a neck ringשֶׁלofסוּסa horseאוֹorחָתוּלa catבְּסוּגַרwith a collarהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמַשּׂאוֹי.is a burdenשֶׁכָּלfor anyשְׁמִירָהguardingמְעֻלָּהexcessiveאוֹorשְׁמִירָהguardingפְּחוּתָהinsufficientמַשּׂאוֹיa burdenהוּאitלָהּ:is for her
This halacha defines which animal restraints are considered functional garments and which are deemed forbidden burdens on Shabbos.
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אִסּוּר הַנְהָגַת בְּהֵמוֹת קְשׁוּרוֹת וְיָצִיאָה בְּזוֹג בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 9 · Prohibition of Leading Tied Animals and Going Out with a Bell on Shabbos
לֹאNotיִקְשֹׁרshall one tieגְּמַלִּיםcamelsזֶהthisבָּזֶהto thisוְיִמְשֹׁךְand pullאֲפִלּוּevenהָיוּthey wereקְשׁוּרִיןtiedמֵעֶרֶבfrom the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosאֵינָןthey are notנִמְשָׁכִיןpulledבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosאֲבָלbutמַכְנִיסgathersהוּאheחֲבָלִיםropesלְתוֹךְintoיָדוֹhis handוְהוּאand that isשֶׁלֹּאprovided that notיֵצֵאshall extendחֶבֶלa ropeמִתּוֹךְfromיָדוֹhis handטֶפַח.a handbreadthוְצָרִיךְand it is necessaryשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there shall beהַחֶבֶלthe ropeשֶׁמִּפִּיthat is from the mouth ofהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalעַדuntilיָדוֹhis handגָּבוֹהַּhighמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe groundטֶפַחa handbreadthאוֹorיוֹתֵר.moreוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatלֹאnotיִמְשֹׁךְshall he pullהַגְּמַלִּיםthe camelsהַקְּשׁוּרִיםthat are tiedזֶהthisבָּזֶהto thisמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat heנִרְאֶהappearsכְּמִיlike oneשֶׁמּוֹלִיכָןwho leads themלְשׁוּקto a marketplaceשֶׁמּוֹכְרִיןthat they sellבּוֹin itהַבְּהֵמוֹתthe animalsאוֹorשֶׁמְּשַׂחֲקִיןthat they playבָּהֶןwith themשָׁם.thereוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofזֶהthisלֹאnotתֵּצֵאshall go outבְּהֵמָהan animalבְּזוֹגwith a bellשֶׁבְּצַוָּארָהּthat is on its neckוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifהָיָהit wasפָּקוּקpluggedשֶׁאֵיןso that there is notלוֹto itקוֹל:a sound
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic prohibitions against leading tied camels or letting an animal wear a bell on Shabbos, due to the appearance of taking them to a public market.
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אִסּוּר יְצִיאַת בְּהֵמָה בְּמַשָּׂא וּבְתַכְשִׁיטִין הָאֲסוּרִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 10 · Prohibitions of an Animal Going Out with Burdens and Forbidden Ornaments on Shabbos
לֹאNotתֵּצֵאshall go outבְּהֵמָהan animalבְּזוּגwith a bellשֶׁבִּכְסוּתָהּthat is on its coveringוְלֹאand notבְּחוֹתָםwith a sealשֶׁבְּצַוָּארָהּthat is on its neckוְלֹאand notבְּחוֹתָםwith a sealשֶׁבִּכְסוּתָהּthat is on its coveringוְלֹאand notבִּרְצוּעָהwith a strapשֶׁבְּרַגְלָהּthat is on its footוְלֹאand notבְּסֻלָּםwith a ladderשֶׁבְּצַוָּארָהּ.that is on its neckוְאֵיןand notחֲמוֹרa donkeyיוֹצֵאgoes outבְּמַרְדַּעַתwith a saddle-clothאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיְתָהit wasקְשׁוּרָהtiedלוֹto itמֵעֶרֶבfrom the eve ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוְלֹאand notיֵצֵאshall go outגָּמָלa camelבַּמְּטוּטֶלֶתwith the patchהַתְּלוּיָהthat is hangingלוֹfrom itבְּדַבַּשְׁתּוֹon its humpאוֹorבִּזְנָבוֹon its tailאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיְתָהit wasקְשׁוּרָהtiedבִּזְנָבוֹto its tailוְחוֹטַרְתּוֹ.and its humpוְלֹאand notיֵצֵאshall go outהַגָּמָלthe camelעֲקוּדboundיָדforelegוְלֹאand notעֲקוּדboundרֶגֶלhind legוְכֵןand so tooשְׁאָרthe rest ofכָּלallהַבְּהֵמוֹת:the animals
This halacha details the specific items and attachments that an animal is forbidden to wear when going out into the public domain on Shabbos, lest they constitute a burden or lead to carrying.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר יְצִיאַת בְּהֵמָה בְּמַשָּׂא וּבְתַכְשִׁיטִין הָאֲסוּרִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 11 · Prohibition of Animals Going Out with Burdens and Forbidden Ornaments on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notהַתַּרְנְגוֹלִיםlet chickensיוֹצְאִיןgo outבְּחוּטִיןwith cordsוְלֹאnorבָּרְצוּעוֹתwith strapsשֶׁבְּרַגְלֵיהֶם.that are on their feetוְאֵיןand we do notהַכְּבָשִׂיןlet ramsיוֹצְאִיןgo outבָּעֲגָלָהwith the wagonשֶׁתַּחַתthat is underאַלְיָהtheir fat tailשֶׁלָּהֶן.of theirsוְאֵיןand we do notהַכְּבָשׂוֹתlet ewesיוֹצְאוֹתgo outבָּעֵצִיםwith the woodשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיםthat they placeלָהֶןfor themבְּחָטְמָןin their nostrilsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּתְעַטְּשׁוּthat they will sneezeוְיִפְּלוּand will fall outהַתּוֹלָעִיןthe wormsשֶׁבְּמֹחָן.that are in their brainוְאֵיןand we do notהָעֵגֶלlet a calfיוֹצֵאgo outבְּעלwith a yokeקָטָןsmallשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיןthat they placeלוֹfor itעַלuponצַוָּארוֹits neckכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּכָּנַעthat it will be humbledוְיִהְיֶהand it will beנוֹחַeasyלַחֲרִישָׁה.for plowingוְלֹאand notתֵּצֵאmay go outבְּהֵמָהan animalבִּשְׂבָכָהwith a muzzleשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיןthat they placeלָהּfor itבְּפִיהָin its mouthכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּשֹּׁךְit will biteאוֹorשֶׁלֹּאthat notתֹּאכַל.it will eatלֹאnotתֵּצֵאmay go outהַפָּרָהa cowבְּעוֹרwith the skinהַקּוּפָּרof a hedgehogשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיןthat they placeלָהּfor itעַלuponדַּדֶּיהָits teatsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִינַקwill suckמִמֶּנָּהfrom itהַשֶּׁרֶץthe creeping animalכְּשֶׁהִיאwhen itיְשֵׁנָה.is sleepingוְלֹאand notתֵּצֵאmay it go outבָּרְצוּעָהwith the strapשֶׁבֵּיןthat is betweenקַרְנֶיהָits hornsבֵּיןwhetherלְנוֹיfor ornamentבֵּיןwhetherלְשַׁמֵּר.for guardingעֵזa goatשֶׁחָקַקthat one hollowed outלָהּfor itבְּקַרְנֶיהָin its hornsיוֹצְאָהmay go outבְּאַפְסָרwith a halterהַקָּשׁוּרthat is tiedבְּחֶקֶקin the hollowבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְאִםand ifתְּחָבוֹhe inserted itבִּזְקָנָהּin its beardאָסוּרit is forbiddenשֶׁמָּאlestתְּנַתְּחֶנּוּit will tear it offוִיבִיאֶנּוּand he will bring itבְּיָדוֹin his handבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainהָרַבִּים.of the publicוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאthat is similarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha details which items are considered burdens or forbidden ornaments for various animals, which they may not wear when going out into the public domain on Shabbos.
הל׳ יב
מַשָּׂא בִּבְהֵמָה בְּשַׁבָּת וּדְבָרִים הַמֻּתָּרִים לָצֵאת בָּהֶםHalacha 12 · Permitted and Forbidden Attachments on Animals on Shabbos
הַזְּכָרִיםThe ramsיוֹצְאִיםmay go outבָּעוֹרwith the leatherהַקָּשׁוּרthat is tiedלָהֶןfor themעַלoverזַכְרוּתָןtheir genitalsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַעֲלוּthey will mountעַל·הַנְּקֵבוֹת.the femalesוּבָעוֹרand with the leatherהַקָּשׁוּרthat is tiedלָהֶםfor themעַלoverלִבֵּיהֶםtheir heartsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִפְּלוּthey will fallעֲלֵיהֶםupon themזְאֵבִים.wolvesוּבְמַטְלָנִיּוֹתand with clothsהַמְרֻקָּמוֹתthe embroideredשֶׁמְּיַפִּיןthat beautifyאוֹתָן—בָּהֶן.themוְהָרְחֵלוֹתand the ewesיוֹצְאוֹתmay go outוְאַלְיָהwith the fat tailשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsקְשׁוּרָהtiedלְמַעְלָהupwardעַלonגַּבָּןtheir backכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיַּעֲלוּthat they will mountעֲלֵיהֶןupon themהַזְּכָרִים.the ramsאוֹorקְשׁוּרָהtiedלְמַטָּהdownwardכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַעֲלוּthey will mountעֲלֵיהֶםupon themהַזְּכָרִים.the ramsוְיוֹצְאוֹתand they may go outמְלֻפָּפוֹתwrappedבְּמַטְלָנִיּוֹתin clothsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat will beהַצֶּמֶרthe woolשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsנָקִי.cleanהָעִזִּיםThe goatsיוֹצְאוֹתmay go outוְדַדֵּיהֶןwith their teatsקְשׁוּרוֹתtiedכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּיבַשׁthat will dry upמֵהֶןfrom themהֶחָלָב.the milkאֲבָלbutאִםifקְשָׁרָןhe tied themכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֵצֵאwill go outהֶחָלָבthe milkעַדuntilשֶׁיַּחֲלֹבhe milksאוֹתוֹitלָעֶרֶבin the eveningהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseלֹאnotיֵצְאוּ:shall go out
This halacha details which protective coverings, therapeutic ties, and functional bindings an animal is permitted to wear when going out into the public domain on Shabbos.
הל׳ יג
מַשָּׂא וּמַשּׂאוֹת עַל גַּבֵּי בְּהֵמָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · Permitted and Forbidden Items for an Animal to Wear on Shabbos
אֵיןNotחֲמוֹרa donkeyיוֹצֵאgoes outבְּאֻכָּףwith a saddleאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁקָּשׁוּרthat it is tiedמֵעֶרֶבfrom the eve ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוְלֹאand notיֵצֵאshall go outהַסּוּסthe horseבִּזְנַבwith a tail ofשׁוּעָלa foxוְלֹאand notבִּזְהוֹרִיתwith a scarlet threadשֶׁבֵּיןthat is betweenעֵינָיו.its eyesוְלֹאand notתֵּצֵאshall go outבְּהֵמָהan animalבִּקְרַסְטָלwith a feeding bagשֶׁבְּפִיהָthat is in its mouthוְלֹאand notבְּסַנְדָּלwith a shoeשֶׁבְּרַגְלָהּthat is on its footוְלֹאand notבְּקָמֵעַwith an amuletשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notמֻמְחֶהprovenלִבְהֵמָה.for an animalאֲבָלbutיוֹצְאָהgoes outהִיאitבְּאֶגֶדwith a bandageשֶׁעַלthat is onגַּבtop ofהַמַּכָּהthe woundוּבְקַשְׂקַשִּׂיםand with splintsשֶׁעַלthat are onגַּבֵּיtop ofהַשֶּׁבֶר.the fractureוּבְשִׁלְיָהand with a placentaהַמְדֻלְדֶּלֶתthat is hangingבָּהּ.from itוּפוֹקֵקand one may plugלָהּfor itזוֹגa bellשֶׁבְּצַוָּארָהּthat is on its neckוּמְטַיֶּלֶתand it may strollבּוֹwith itבֶּחָצֵר.in a courtyardוְנוֹתֵןand one may placeלוֹfor itמַרְדַּעַתa saddleclothעַלonהַחֲמוֹרthe donkeyבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוּמְטַיֵּלand it may strollבֶּחָצֵר.in a courtyardאֲבָלbutאֵיןnotתּוֹלִיןdo we hangלָהּfor itקְרַסְטָלa feeding bagבְּפִיהָon its mouthבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha details which items are considered burdens for an animal on Shabbos and which are permitted as protective coverings or ornaments.
הל׳ יד
שְׁבִיתַת עֲבָדִים וְגֵר תּוֹשָׁב בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 14 · The Obligation for Servants and Resident Aliens to Rest on Shabbos
כְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁאָדָםthat a personמְצֻוֶּהis commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתַתthe resting ofבְּהֶמְתּוֹhis animalבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכָּךְsoהוּאheמְצֻוֶּהis commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתַתthe resting ofעַבְדּוֹhis servantוַאֲמָתוֹand his maidservantוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֵןthat theyבְּנֵיpossessדַּעַתintellectוּלְדַעַתand of their own accordעַצְמָןthemselvesעוֹשִׂיןactמִצְוָהa mitzvahעָלֵינוּis upon usלְשָׁמְרָןto watch themוּלְמָנְעָןand to prevent themמֵעֲשִׂיַּתfrom performingמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכג23יב12"לְמַעַן"so thatיָנוּחַmay restשׁוֹרְךָyour oxוַחֲמֹרֶךָand your donkeyוְיִנָּפֵשׁand may find reposeבֶּןthe son ofאֲמָתְךָyour maidservantוְהַגֵּר".and the stranger"עֶבֶדa servantוְאָמָהand a maidservantשֶׁאָנוּwhom weמְצֻוִּיןare commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתָתָןtheir restingהֵםtheyעֲבָדִיםare servantsשֶׁמָּלוּwho circumcisedוְטָבְלוּand immersedלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofעַבְדוּתservitudeוְקִבְּלוּand acceptedמִצְוֹתmitzvosשֶׁהָעֲבָדִיםthat servantsחַיָּבִיןare obligatedבָּהֶן.in themאֲבָלbutעֲבָדִיםservantsשֶׁלֹּאwho notמָלוּcircumcisedוְלֹאand notטָבְלוּimmersedאֶלָּאbutקִבְּלוּacceptedעֲלֵיהֶןupon themselvesשֶׁבַעsevenמִצְוֹתmitzvosשֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּthat were commandedבְּנֵיthe children ofנֹחַNoachבִּלְבַדaloneהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyכְּגֵרare like a residentתּוֹשָׁבalienוּמֻתָּרִיןand they are permittedלַעֲשׂוֹתto performמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלְעַצְמָןfor themselvesבְּפַרְהֶסְיָאin publicכְּיִשְׂרָאֵלlike a Jewבְּחל.on a weekdayוְאֵיןand we do notמְקַבְּלִיןacceptגֵּרa residentתּוֹשָׁבalienאֶלָּאexceptבִּזְמַןin a timeשֶׁהַיּוֹבֵלthat the Jubileeנוֹהֵג.is practicedהוֹאִילsinceוְגֵרand a residentתּוֹשָׁבalienעוֹשֶׂהperformsמְלָאכָהmelachaלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְגֵרand a righteousצֶדֶקconvertהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheכְּיִשְׂרָאֵלis like a Jewלְכָלfor everyדָּבָר.matterבְּמִיregarding whomנֶאֱמַרis it saidוְיִנָּפֵשׁand may find reposeבֶּןthe son ofאֲמָתְךָyour maidservantוְהַגֵּר.and the strangerזֶהthisגֵּרis a residentתּוֹשָׁבalienשֶׁהוּאwho isלְקִיטוֹthe day-laborerוּשְׂכִירוֹand the hired handשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewכְּמוֹlikeבֶּןthe son ofאֲמָתוֹ.his maidservantשֶׁלֹּאthat he shall notיַעֲשֶׂהperformמְלָאכָהmelachaלְיִשְׂרָאֵלfor the Jewרַבּוֹhis masterבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֲבָלbutלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfעוֹשֶׂה.he may performוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifהָיָהwasהַגֵּרthe strangerזֶהthisעַבְדּוֹhis servantהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneעוֹשֶׂהmay performלְעַצְמוֹ:for himself
This halacha defines which servants a Jew must ensure rest on Shabbos, distinguishing between fully converted servants and resident aliens.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by explaining that a Jew is commanded to let his animals rest on Shabbos, a rule applying to all beasts and fowl. While one who merely directs a laden animal is not liable for lashes because it stems from a positive commandment, working an animal in a capital-prohibition manner (like plowing together) is a severe Torah prohibition. To prevent violations, the Sages forbade selling, hiring, or lending large animals to non-Jews, penalizing a transgressor by forcing him to repurchase the animal even at great cost. However, selling through a broker is permitted, as is selling a horse, which is primarily used for riding rather than carrying heavy burdens.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah does not only want you to rest on Shabbos; it demands that everything under your influence and ownership enters a state of holy rest as well. When the Torah commands us to ensure our animals rest, it is teaching us a profound lesson in responsibility. A Yid cannot say, "I am keeping Shabbos, so what happens with my property or my business affairs is not my concern." True shbisis—the rest of Shabbos—means that we actively step back and release our grip on the material world, ensuring that even the tools of our livelihood are dedicated to Hashem's peace.
Look at how far Chazal went to protect this rest, even forbidding the sale of certain animals to a gentile lest it lead to working on Shabbos. This is the beauty of making a fence for the Torah. It shows our deep yiras Shamayim and our desire to protect the sanctity of the day. When we are careful with the details of what we own, what we lend, and how we conduct our business before Shabbos, we show Hashem that we value His holy day more than any financial gain.
Even in a difficult situation, like someone who is traveling and has to carry his wallet on his animal, the halachah guides him with extreme sensitivity to avoid the animal making a stop while carrying the load. We see here the delicate balance of halachah: Hashem cares about your loss, but He also cares about every single movement of Shabbos. When we live with this awareness, our entire home and everything we own becomes a vessel for the Kedushah of Shabbos.
Today, take a moment before Shabbos to consciously "release" your business, your devices, and your property. Make sure everything under your domain is set to rest, showing Hashem that you completely surrender your livelihood to His care.