Mishneh Torah — Diverse Species (Kilayim) הלכות כלאים, Chapter 2

זֶרַע שֶׁנִּתְעָרֵב בּוֹ זֶרַע אַחֵר אִם הָיוּ אֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה כְּגוֹן סְאָה שֶׁל חִטִּים שֶׁנִּתְעָרְבָה בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְשָׁלֹשׁ סְאָה שֶׁל שְׂעוֹרִים הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ אֶת הַמְעֹרָב עַד שֶׁיְּמַעֵט אֶת הַחִטִּין אוֹ יוֹסִיף עַל הַשְּׂעוֹרִים וְאִם זָרַע לוֹקֶה:

[The following rules apply when] seeds [of one species] are mixed together with seed of another [species]. If the smaller quantity was one twenty-fourth [or more of the entire mixture], e.g., a se'ah of wheat became mixed with 23 se'ah of barley, (Yoreh De'ah 297:5) speaks of 24 se'ah of barley. it is forbidden to sow the mixture unless one reduces the amount of wheat or adds to the amount of barley. 2:1) refers to the general principle (Beitzah 4b) that we do not nullify the existence of a prohibited substance. Why then are we allowed to add more barley and thus nullify the presence of the wheat?It explains that the mixture is forbidden only because of the appearance created, i.e., as stated in Chapter 3, Halachah 5, mixed substances are forbidden only if the mixture is noticeable to the eye. Hence, if the barley is added before the mixture is sown, when the crops grow, the mixture will not be noticeable. Hence, there is no prohibition involved (Rambam LeAm). If he sowed [the mixture as is], he is liable for lashes.

וְכָל שֶׁהוּא כִּלְאַיִם עִם הַזֶּרַע מִצְטָרֵף לְאֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע. כֵּיצַד. עֶשְׂרִים וְשָׁלֹשׁ סְאָה שֶׁל חִטִּים שֶׁנִּתְעָרֵב בָּהּ שְׁנֵי קַבִּין שְׂעוֹרִים וּשְׁנֵי קַבִּין עֲדָשִׁים וּשְׁנֵי קַבִּין פּוֹלִים הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִזְרַע הַכּל עַד שֶׁיְּמַעֵט סְאָה שֶׁל תַּעֲרֹבֶת וְיָבֹר מִקְצָתָהּ אוֹ יוֹסִיף עַל הַחִטִּים. שֶׁהַשְּׂעוֹרִים וְהָעֲדָשִׁים וְהַפּוֹל כֻּלָּם כִּלְאַיִם עִם הַחִטִּים:

Any [species of seed] that is considered a forbidden substance with the seeds [that are mixed in] is included in the sum of one twenty-fourth. What is implied? 23 se'ah of wheat were mixed together with two kabbin of barley, two kabbin of lentils, and two kabbin of beans. in a se'ah. Thus there is not enough of any one different species for it to be considered as a forbidden mixture on its own. Nevertheless, since when combined, there is a significant amount of seeds of other species, the mixture is forbidden. He should not sow the entire mixture until he reduces the se'ah of mixed substances by removing part of it or adding to the wheat, for barley, lentils, and beans are all considered as kilayim with wheat.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁנִּתְעָרְבוּ מִינֵי תְּבוּאָה זֶה בָּזֶה אוֹ מִינֵי קִטְנִיּוֹת זֶה בָּזֶה אוֹ שֶׁנִּתְעָרְבָה תְּבוּאָה בְּקִטְנִיּוֹת אוֹ קִטְנִיּוֹת בִּתְבוּאָה. אֲבָל זֵרְעוֹנֵי גִּנָּה שֶׁנִּתְעָרֵב אֶחָד מֵהֶן בִּתְבוּאָה אוֹ בְּקִטְנִיּוֹת שִׁעוּרָן אֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה מִמַּה שֶּׁזּוֹרְעִין בְּבֵית סְאָה מֵאוֹתוֹ הַמִּין אִם נִתְעָרֵב בִּסְאָה שֶׁל תְּבוּאָה אוֹ קִטְנִית לֹא יִזְרַע עַד שֶׁיְּמַעֵט אוֹ יוֹסִיף עַל הַתְּבוּאָה:

When does the above apply? When the different types of grain are mixed together, the different legumes are mixed together or grain is mixed with legumes or legumes mixed with grain. If, however, species of garden seeds are mixed with grain or beans, the measure [which is considered significant] is one twenty-fourth of what would be sown of that species 2:2)]. in the area necessary to sow a se'ah [of grain]. If [this amount] is mixed with a se'ah, but one-twenty-fourth less. of grain or legumes, one should not sow the mixture unless he reduces [the garden seeds] or adds to the grain.

כֵּיצַד. חַרְדָּל שֶׁנִּתְעָרֵב בִּתְבוּאָה וַהֲרֵי הַחַרְדָּל זוֹרְעִין מִמֶּנּוּ קַב בְּכָל בֵּית סְאָה אִם נִתְעָרֵב מִמֶּנּוּ אֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה מִן הַקַּב בִּסְאָה שֶׁל תְּבוּאָה אוֹ שֶׁל קִטְנִית חַיָּב לְמַעֵט. וְכֵן אִם הָיָה מִין זֶה מִזֵּרְעוֹנֵי גִּנָּה זוֹרְעִין מִמֶּנּוּ סָאתַיִם בְּכָל בֵּית סְאָה אִם נִתְעָרֵב מִמֶּנּוּ חֲצִי קַב בְּכָל סְאָה שֶׁל תְּבוּאָה אוֹ שֶׁל קִטְנִית יְמַעֵט:

What is implied? [For example,] mustard seed was mixed with grain. Now a kav. of mustard seed is sown in the area fit for a se'ah of grain. If one twenty-fourth of a kav of mustard seed is mixed with a se'ah of grain or legumes, one must reduce [the mustard seed]. Similarly, if it was customary to sow two se'ah of a species of garden seeds in an area where a se'ah of grain would ordinarily be sown, of grain seeds would be sown. should a half a kav, double the ordinary amount. be mixed in a se'ah of grain or legumes, it must be reduced.

לְפִיכָךְ תְּבוּאָה שֶׁנִּתְעָרֵב בָּהּ זֶרַע פִּשְׁתָּן אִם הָיָה שְׁלֹשֶׁת רְבִיעִים בְּכָל סְאָה הֲרֵי זֶה יְמַעֵט. וְאִם לָאו אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְמַעֵט. לְפִי שֶׁבֵּית סְאָה זוֹרְעִין בּוֹ שָׁלֹשׁ סְאִים זֶרַע פִּשְׁתָּן. וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ זֶה מְשַׁעֲרִים בְּכָל הַזְּרָעִים הָאֲחֵרִים:

Therefore, [the following laws apply if] grain becomes mixed with flax seed. If there were three quarters [of a kav] in every se'ah [of grain], it is necessary to reduce the amount [of flax]. If there is less than that [amount], it is not necessary to make such a reduction. [The rationale is that] in an area fit to sow a se'ah [of grain], it is customary to sow three se'ah of flax seeds. This pattern is followed with regard to all other types of seeds.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁלֹּא נִתְכַּוֵּן לְעָרֵב וּבְשֶׁלֹּא נִתְכַּוֵּן לִזְרֹעַ הַשְּׁנֵי מִינִין שֶׁנִּתְעָרְבוּ. אֲבָל אִם נִתְכַּוֵּן לְעָרֵב זֶרַע בְּזֶרַע אַחֵר אוֹ לִזְרֹעַ הַשְּׁנֵי מִינִין אֲפִלּוּ הָיְתָה חִטָּה אַחַת בְּתוֹךְ כְּרִי שֶׁל שְׂעוֹרִים אֲסוּרָה לְזָרְעָהּ. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:

When does the above apply? When one did not intend to mix the two species and one did not intend to sow a mixture of the two species. If, however, one intended to mix one species of seed with another species or to sow two species,). it is forbidden to sow even one kernel of wheat with an entire grainheap of barley. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.

הַזּוֹרֵעַ שָׂדֵהוּ מִין מִן הַמִּינִין וּכְשֶׁיִּצְמַח רָאָה בּוֹ כִּלְאַיִם. אִם הָיָה הַמִּין הָאֶחָד אֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה בַּשָּׂדֶה הֲרֵי זֶה יִלְקֹט עַד שֶׁיְּמַעֲטֶנּוּ מִפְּנֵי מַרְאִית הָעַיִן. שֶׁמָּא יֹאמְרוּ כִּלְאַיִם זָרַע בְּכַוָּנָה. בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה הַמִּין הָאֶחָד שֶׁצָּמַח תְּבוּאָה וְקִטְנִית בִּתְבוּאָה וְקִטְנִית. אוֹ זֵרְעוֹנֵי גִּנָּה בִּתְבוּאָה וְקִטְנִית וּבְזֵרְעוֹנֵי גִּנָּה. וְאִם הָיָה הַצּוֹמֵחַ פָּחוֹת מִיכַּן אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְמַעֲטוֹ:

[The following rules apply when] a person sowed a particular species in his field, but when the crops grow, he saw that there are intermingled species there. 297:3). If the [intermingled] species covered one twenty-fourth of the area in the field, he should gather it until he reduces the amount because of the impression that might be created. 297:4). Alternatively, the explanation given in note 3 can be employed here as well. [An onlooker might think that] perhaps he sowed mixed substances intentionally. [This applies] whether the [intermingled] species that grew was grain and legumes amid grain and legumes or garden seeds amid grain, legumes, and garden seed. If the amount that grew was less than this, he does not need to reduce it.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בִּזְמַן שֶׁיֵּשׁ מָקוֹם לַחֲשָׁד. אֲבָל בִּזְמַן שֶׁהַדְּבָרִים מַרְאִין שֶׁאֵין זֶה מִדַּעְתּוֹ שֶׁל בַּעַל הַשָּׂדֶה אֶלָּא מֵאֲלֵיהֶן עָלוּ אֵין מְחַיְּבִין אוֹתוֹ לְמַעֵט:

When does the above apply? When there is a reason to suspect [that he did so intentionally]. When, however, it is apparent from the situation that this was not the owner's intent, but the [intermingled species] grew on their own accord, we do not require him to reduce their amount.

כֵּיצַד. כְּגוֹן תְּבוּאָה שֶׁעָלוּ בָּהּ סְפִיחֵי אִסְטִיס וְתִלְתָּן שֶׁזְּרָעָהּ לְמַאֲכַל אָדָם שֶׁעָלוּ בָּהּ מִינֵי עֲשָׂבִים שֶׁזֶּה מַפְסִיד הוּא. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:

What is implied? Indigo grew in [a field of] wheat. Grass grew in [a field of] chilbah planted for human consumption. [It is obviously undesirable, because the intermingled species] damage the primary species. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.

וּבְמַה יִּוָּדַע שֶׁהַתִּלְתָּן זְרוּעָה לְמַאֲכַל אָדָם. כְּשֶׁהָיְתָה זְרוּעָה עֲרוּגוֹת עֲרוּגוֹת וְלָהּ גְּבוּל סָבִיב. וְכֵן מְקוֹם הַגֳּרָנוֹת שֶׁעָלוּ בָּהּ מִינִין הַרְבֵּה אֵין מְחַיְּבִין אוֹתוֹ לַעֲקֹר. שֶׁהֲרֵי הַדָּבָר יָדוּעַ שֶׁאֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה שֶּׁיִּצְמַח צֶמַח בִּמְקוֹם הַגֳּרָנוֹת. וְאִם הֵסִיר מִקְצָתָן אוֹמְרִין לוֹ עֲקֹר הַכּל חוּץ מִמִּין אֶחָד שֶׁהֲרֵי גִּלָּה דַּעְתּוֹ שֶׁרוֹצֶה בְּקִיּוּם הַשְּׁאָר:

How is it possible to know whether the chilbah is planted for human consumption? When it is sown in a series of rows and there is a border around it. 2:5) based on Bava Kama 81a].Similarly, if different species grew in the place of the grainheap, we do not require him to uproot them, for it is known that he does not desire plants to grow in the place of the grainheap.). If he removed some of the growths - which indicates that he desires to maintain [the plants] that remain - we tell him to uproot everything except one species..

אֵין נוֹטְעִין יְרָקוֹת בְּתוֹךְ סַדָּן שֶׁל שִׁקְמָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ. הַטּוֹמֵן אֲגֻדַּת לֶפֶת וּצְנוֹן וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ תַּחַת הָאִילָן אֲפִלּוּ תַּחַת הַגֶּפֶן. אִם הָיוּ מִקְצָת הֶעָלִין מְגֻלִּין אֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה בְּהַשְׁרָשָׁתָן וְאִם אֵינָן אֲגֻדָּה אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ הֶעָלִין מְגֻלִּין חוֹשֵׁשׁ מִשּׁוּם כִּלְאַיִם:

We may not plant vegetables in a stump of a wild fig tree or the like. 1:9 - are emphasizing that even though one might think that a wild fig tree resembles a non-fruitbearing tree, that is not so. From this statement, we learn that the Radbaz maintains that there is no prohibition against grafting a vegetable onto a non-fruitbearing tree. This point is a matter of discussion among the commentaries.[The following laws apply when a person] buries a bundle of turnips, radishes, or the like under a tree, or even under a vine.), but it applies to other trees as well.From the connection to the initial clause of the halachah and from the fact that other trees aside from a vine are mentioned, we can conclude that this clause also focuses on grafting. For there is no prohibition against planting vegetables in an orchard of trees other than a vineyard. What grafting is involved? It is possible to explain that the intermingling of the roots of the vegetable and the roots of the tree or vine could be considered as grafting (Rambam LeAm). If some of the leaves were revealed, he need not be concerned [about the prohibition against kilayim],). since he does not desire that [the buried vegetables] take root. If they were not [tied in] a bundle or their leaves were not revealed, does not apply even when the leaves are not revealed. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh, however, justify the Rambam's view. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 297:11) quotes the Rambam's ruling. he must show concern for that prohibition.

שָׂדֶה שֶׁהָיְתָה זְרוּעָה וְקָצַר הַזֶּרַע וְנִשְׁאֲרוּ הָעִקָּרִין בָּאָרֶץ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין מוֹצִיאִין צֶמַח אֶלָּא אַחַר כַּמָּה שָׁנִים לֹא יִהְיֶה זוֹרֵעַ בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׂדֶה מִין אַחֵר עַד שֶׁיַּעֲקֹר הָעִקָּרִין:

When a field had been sown and the produce [that grew] was harvested, but the roots were left in the earth, one should not sow another type of produce in that field until the roots are removed. [This applies] even if [these roots] will not produce a plant for several years. 2:5. The Ra'avad objects, offering a different understanding of that mishnah. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 297:12) follows the Rambam's understanding.

הָיְתָה שָׂדֵהוּ זְרוּעָה חִטִּים וְנִמְלַךְ לְזָרְעָהּ שְׂעוֹרִים קֹדֶם שֶׁיִּצְמְחוּ הַחִטִּים. יַמְתִּין לָהּ עַד שֶׁיִּפָּסְדוּ הַחִטִּים וְיַתְלִיעוּ בָּאָרֶץ כְּמוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים אִם הָיְתָה שָׂדֵהוּ רָוָה וְאַחַר כָּךְ יְהַפְּכֶהָ בְּמַחְרֵשָׁה וְיִזְרַע הַמִּין הָאַחֵר. וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְהַפֵּךְ אֶת כֻּלָּהּ עַד שֶׁלֹּא תִּשָּׁאֵר חִטָּה שֶׁלֹּא נֶעֶקְרָה אֶלָּא חוֹרֵשׁ אֶת הַשָּׂדֶה כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁחוֹרְשִׁין אוֹתָהּ קֹדֶם הַמָּטָר כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּרְוֶה:

When a person had sown wheat in his field and then changed his mind and decided to sow barley before the wheat grew, he must wait until the wheat seeds rot and decompose in the earth - i.e., three days if the field is well irrigated. Afterwards, he should turn the land upside down with a plow 2:3)]. The Ra'avad differs and maintains that even one of these steps is sufficient. There is no need to both wait and plow. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh justify the Rambam's view. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 297:13) follows the Rambam's understanding. and sow the other species. He does not have to turn the entire field upside down until there is not one kernel of wheat that has not been uprooted. Instead, he should plow the field like he would plow it before rainfall so that it would be watered thoroughly.

צָמְחוּ הַחִטִּים וְאַחַר כָּךְ נִמְלַךְ לְזָרְעָהּ שְׂעוֹרִים יַהֲפֹךְ וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִזְרַע. וְאִם הוֹרִיד בְּהֶמְתּוֹ לְתוֹכָהּ וְקִרְסְמָה אֶת הַצֶּמַח הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ שָׁם מִין אַחֵר:

If the wheat grew and then he changed his mind and decided to sow barley, he should turn over the field and then sow it. If he let his animal into the field and it ate the growths, it is permitted to sow the other species.

בְּאֶחָד בַּאֲדָר מַשְׁמִיעִין עַל הַכִּלְאַיִם. וְכָל אָדָם יוֹצֵא לְגִנָּתוֹ וּלְשָׂדֵהוּ וּמְנַקִּין אוֹתוֹ מִן הַכִּלְאַיִם. וּבַחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר בּוֹ יוֹצְאִים שְׁלוּחֵי בֵּית דִּין וּמְסַבְּבִים לִבְדֹּק:

On the first of Adar, a pronouncement is made regarding [the need for concern for] kilayim. Every person should go out to his garden and his field and clean it from mixed species. On the fifteenth of [Adar], the agents of the courts go out and spread out [throughout the land] to check.

בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה הָיוּ עוֹקְרִין וּמַשְׁלִיכִין וְהָיוּ בַּעֲלֵי בָּתִּים שְׂמֵחִים שֶׁמְּנַקִּין לָהֶן שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶן. הִתְקִינוּ שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מַפְקִירִין אֶת כָּל הַשָּׂדֶה שֶׁיִּמְצְאוּ בּוֹ כִּלְאַיִם. וְהוּא שֶׁיִּמְצְאוּ בָּהּ מִין אַחֵר אֶחָד מֵאַרְבָּעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים אֲבָל פָּחוֹת מִיכַּן לֹא יִגְּעוּ בָּהּ:

Originally, [the agents of the court] would uproot [the mixed species] and cast them out and the owners of the fields would be happy that [the court's agents] would be cleaning their fields. [As a safeguard against indolence, the court ordained] that they would declare ownerless 273:27 which states that according to the Shulchan Aruch (and the Rambam) the court's agents must declare the field ownerless. According to the Tur, by contrast, if a person sees mixed species are growing in a field, he may take possession of it, for it is considered ownerless even though the court has not made a declaration to that effect as of yet. any field where mixed species were found, provided the [additional] species was one twenty-fourth [of the entire crop]. If it is less than that, they should not touch it.

וְחוֹזְרִין שְׁלוּחֵי בֵּית דִּין בְּחֻלּוֹ שֶׁל מוֹעֵד הַפֶּסַח לִרְאוֹת הָאֲפִיל שֶׁיָּצָא. וְכִלְאַיִם שֶׁהֵנֵצּוּ אֵין מַמְתִּינִים לָהֶן אֶלָּא יוֹצְאִין עֲלֵיהֶן מִיָּד וּמַפְקִירִין אֶת כָּל הַשָּׂדֶה אִם יֵשׁ בָּהּ אֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה:

The agents of the court return during the intermediate days of Pesach to look at the crop that were late in ripening. If mixed species have budded, we do not wait. Instead, [the agents] go out immediately and declare the entire field ownerless if one twenty-fourth of it is from a second species.