#213: The Melachah of Choresh - An Introduction

1. The second of the thirty-nine melachot forbidden on Shabbat is choresh, plowing (Mishnah, Shabbat 73a). While the av melachah (primary labor) is defined as plowing the ground in preparation for planting, any improvement of plantable soil is included as a toladah (subcategory) of the melachah. This includes many agricultural activities such as digging, raking, fertilizing, loosening the soil, and leveling the ground (Rambam, Hilchot Shabbat 8:1).

2. There are in fact a number of practical applications of this melachah that are relevant to many people, outside of formal agriculture. For instance, one must ensure that one’s children starting from age three or four do not dig holes in the ground on Shabbat (see Piskei Teshuvot 343:7).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.