THE SHULCHAN ARUCH DIRECTORY (under
construction)
The Halachos of Shabbos (Appendix) back to
the "Shabbos Appendix" page
Siman
336 - Whether It Is Muttar [on Shabbos] to Walk on Grass [and more]
English Translation of the entire siman: at
en.wikisource.org
Rav Ostroff's full presentation of the entire siman: Part 1,
Part
2, Part
3, Part
4
More on practical applications of the siman: see Rav
Neustadt's discussion
NOTE: This is a temporary page. We apologize for the lack of proper "design".
Siman 336, se'if 1
(a) Is there a decree
not to utilize anything attached to the ground on Shabbos,
to safeguard against the melacha of reaping? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes.
[Classic sources: Shabbos
125b (point2s1), and the sources given for next six questions.]
(b) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping include to utilize an attached
tree on Shabbos, even if it is dried up? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, that is
assur.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
100b (points2k-s2), and the sources given for se'if 13.]
(c) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping make it assur to climb
up on, or hang onto, such a tree on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
100a (point2a1), Beitzah
26b (points6a,7a).]
(d) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping make it assur to climb
down such a tree on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Only if his
climbing up beforehand was also "be'issur", i.e. (1) on
Shabbos and intentionally, (2) or (according to some) even before Shabbos but
intending to stay up in the tree "into Shabbos".
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
100a (points2c-j).]
(e) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping make it assur to remove
an object (on Shabbos) which one placed on such a tree?
[Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): Yes - even if he
placed it there before Shabbos.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
32b (point3h), and the sources given for se'if 13.]
(f) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping include to utilize attached
vegetation such as soft reeds on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): No, that is muttar.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
34b (points3a-g).]
Siman 336, se'if 2
Does the above concern for
the melacha of reaping include to utilize attached
roots on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Only if the
roots are at least three tefachim [handbreadths] above the ground (so
they cannot be considered "like the ground"); and if at one point
they are lower - then at that point it is muttar; but if at one point
they are higher only because the ground is lower
there - then even a side which is not over that "lowering" is also
assur.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
100a (points1a-m).]
Siman 336, se'if 3
(a) Is it muttar to walk
in the grass on Shabbos, even if it is dry, without concern
for unintentional uprooting (which could constitute the melacha
of reaping)? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, it is muttar.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
100b (points3a-i).]
(b) Is it assur to wash
one's hands over grass on Shabbos, though his unintentional
watering will cultivate it [which is included under the melacha
of sowing]? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, it is assur,
because it is a "p'sik reisha" [a certain result of the
intended act].
[Classic sources: Mo'ed
Kattan 2b (points5a-c).]
(c) Given the problem of unintentional
watering on Shabbos [because of the melacha of sowing],
is it proper to eat in one's garden then, using water
(which tends to spill)? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): It is best to be
stringent.
(d) Does the problem of watering
on Shabbos [because of the melacha of sowing] make
it assur then to spill even a non‑nurturing liquid
such as urine into the grass? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): No, that is muttar.
Siman 336, se'if 4
Where is it assur to throw away seeds on Shabbos (because of the unintentional causing them to sprout, which is the melacha of sowing)? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Where rain
falls and people do not walk; and even throwing to chickens there is assur
if it is more seeds than they will eat in the upcoming day or two.
[Classic sources: Shevi'is 5:2 (concerning Shemittah):
"...and one may store it [i.e. a 'luf' vegetable] where people
walk."]
Siman 336, se'if 5
Is grass which grew on utensils (due to their moisture) considered attached to the ground, making uprooting it on Shabbos assur (under the melacha of reaping)? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, one
would be chayav [i.e. liable to a chatas offering or to be
stoned] for that.
[Classic sources: Shabbos
107b-108a (points1c-f).]
Siman 336, se'if 6
Can whether uprooting grass on Shabbos is assur (under the melacha of reaping) depend on the purpose for which the blades were inserted (before Shabbos)? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, for if
they have not yet taken root, then it is only assur to uproot them (by
grabbing the blades) if they were inserted only in order to keep
them moist.
[Classic sources: Shabbos
50b-51a (points4e,h-i).]
Siman 336, se'if 7
Does whether uprooting on Shabbos something growing inside a vessel is assur (under the melacha of reaping) depend on whether the vessel is perforated? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): No - it is assur
regardless.
[Classic sources: Shabbos
95a (points3a-b).]
Siman 336, se'if 8
(a) Does whether raising a vessel on Shabbos (containing something growing) from the ground (up onto supports - or lowering it in reverse) is assur (under the melacha of reaping - or sowing) depend on whether it is perforated or what material it is made of? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): One should
take care not to do either, even if the vessel is not perforated, and whether
it is wooden or earthenware.
[Classic sources: Shabbos
81b (points4b-d1), Menachos
84b (points3l-n1), Gittin
21b (points4a,h).]
(b) Is uprooting a fruit on Shabbos from a branch which was cut from its tree (before Shabbos) assur (under the melacha of reaping)? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): No.
[Classic sources: Chulin
127b (point3j).]
Siman 336, se'if 9
If straw and grass gathered in a drain pipe (causing the rain to spread over one's roof and leak into the house instead of being diverted off the roof), may one unblock it by crushing them with his foot (i.e. doing the Shabbos melacha of perfecting in an unusual way to prevent a loss)? [Request "Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes (in
private), because then it is not assur
Rabbinically.
[Classic sources: Kesubos
60a (points2l-m).]
Siman 336, se'if 10
Which things attached
to the ground is it muttar to smell on Shabbos, and which are are
assur because it can lead to uprooting them (which is the melacha
of reaping)? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Something
edible (such as an esrog or an apple) is assur, and a haddas
[myrtle branch] is muttar.
[Classic sources: Sukkah
37b (points4a1-b).]
Siman 336, se'if 11
(a) Is it assur to submerge
a seed (of wheat or barley etc.) in water on Shabbos (as a
derivative of the melacha of sowing)? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, one
would be chayav [i.e. liable to a chatas offering or to be
stoned] for even one tiny seed.
[Classic sources: Zevachim
94b (AllOfPoint2q).]
(b) Is it assur to submerge
a tree branch or stem in water on Shabbos (as a derivative
of the melacha of sowing)? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): Only if they have
flowers (or roses) which will open because of the water's moisture.
Siman 336, se'if 12
Is uprooting a fruit
(such as a fig) which dried up (while still attached to its tree)
assur on Shabbos (under the melacha of reaping)?
[Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, one
would be chayav [i.e. liable to a chatas offering or to be
stoned] for that, even though such fruit are considered "detached"
with regard to tum'ah [non-physical contamination].
[Classic sources: Chulin
127b (point3h1).]
Siman 336, se'if 13
(a) Does the concern for the melacha
of reaping [above in se'if 1] include to utilize an extension
("tz'adadin" [at the side]) of an attached tree
on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Using the
extension itself (such as climbing on a ladder which leans against a
tree) is assur, but using an extension of the extension ("tzidei
tz'dadin") is muttar - which would include a ladder leaned
against a peg which is stuck into a tree (the peg is "tz'dadin"
and the ladder is "tzidei tz'dadin") or a basket hung on such
a peg.
[Classic sources: Shabbos
154b (AllOfPoint3) through 155a
(AllOfPoint1).]
(b) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping make it assur even to move
or touch an attached tree on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): To touch it is muttar,
so long as one does not move it.
[Classic sources: see Shabbos
155a (point1c).]
(c) Does the above concern
for the melacha of reaping make it assur to climb
up or down the walls of a deep pit on Shabbos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): No; even if it is a
hundred amahs deep, we are not concerned that he will uproot earth.
[Classic sources: Eiruvin
100a (point2b2).]