Mishneh Torah — Sabbath (Shabbat) הלכות שבת, Chapter 7

מְלָאכוֹת שֶׁחַיָּבִין עֲלֵיהֶן סְקִילָה וְכָרֵת בְּמֵזִיד אוֹ קָרְבַּן חַטָּאת בִּשְׁגָגָה. מֵהֶן אָבוֹת וּמֵהֶן תּוֹלָדוֹת. וּמִנְיַן כָּל אֲבוֹת מְלָאכוֹת אַרְבָּעִים חָסֵר אַחַת. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן. הַחֲרִישָׁה. וְהַזְּרִיעָה. וְהַקְּצִירָה. וְהָעִמּוּר. וְהַדִּישָׁה. וְהַזְּרִיָּה. וְהַבְּרִירָה. וְהַטְּחִינָה. וְהַהַרְקָדָה. וְהַלִּישָׁה. וְהָאֲפִיָּה. וְהַגְּזִיזָה. וְהַלִּבּוּן. וְהַנִּפּוּץ. וְהַצְּבִיעָה. וְהַטְּוִיָּה. וַעֲשִׂיַּת הַנִּירִין. וְהַנְסָכַת הַמַּסֵּכָה. וְהָאֲרִיגָה. וְהַבְּצִיעָה. וְהַקְּשִׁירָה. וְהַהַתָּרָה. וְהַתְּפִירָה. וְהַקְּרִיעָה. וְהַבִּנְיָן. וְהַסְּתִירָה. וְהַכָּאָה בְּפַטִּישׁ. וְהַצִּידָה. וְהַשְּׁחִיטָה. וְהַהַפְשָׁטָה. וְהַהַעֲבָדָה. וּמְחִיקַת הָעוֹר. וְחִתּוּכוֹ. וְהַכְּתִיבָה. וְהַמְּחִיקָה. וְהַשִּׂרְטוּט. וְהַהַבְעָרָה. וְהַכִּבּוּי. וְהַהוֹצָאָה מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּת:

With regard to the [forbidden] labors for which one is liable to be executed by stoning if one transgresses willingly,) or for which one is obligated to bring a sin offering if one commits the transgression unknowingly, there are primary categories and [their] derivatives. 7:2), the Rambam explains that the primary categories are so defined because "they were part of the work of the Sanctuary, which is termed melachah [the term used for the Torah for forbidden labor]." The Rambam clarifies the definition of what constitutes a primary category and what constitutes a derivative in Halachot 2-6.See Yereim (249) who notes that the Jerusalem Talmud (Shabbat 7:2) derives the existence of thirty nine categories of work from the exegesis of Exodus 38:2. There is a question if this difference in sources creates a difference in law as well. See also the preface to Eglei Tal, which questions whether the definition of the categories of forbidden labor are taken from the activities necessary for the offering of the sacrifices in the Sanctuary, or merely the activities necessary for construction of the Sanctuary. (In this context, see Rashi, Shabbat 73a, which states that the forbidden labor of baking was not practiced in the Sanctuary although one of the offerings was the showbread which was baked each week.)The sum of all the primary categories of [forbidden] labor are forty minus one. 7:2, use this expression, rather than merely stating "thirty-nine." Some draw attention to the parallel found in the Mishnah's description of the number of lashes given a transgressor (Makkot 3:10). Others explain that this expression indicates that there is a fortieth activity - the spiritual service of prayer and study - which must be performed on the Sabbath day. They include:1) plowing,, the manner in which bread is baked. They were necessary to prepare the herbs used as dyes for the curtains of the Sanctuary. (See Chapter 8, Halachah 1.)2) sowing, 73b explains that this was done to teach that if the earth is hard, and it is necessary to re-plow the land after the first plowing, one is liable for the second plowing as well. The Rambam, however, follows the usual order of activities. (See Chapter 8, Halachah 2.)3) reaping,4) collecting sheaves,), the Rambam mentions that the reapers usually gather the grain in small sheaves. Others follow who collect these sheaves into larger bundles. (See Chapter 8, Halachah 5.)According to one opinion in Shabbat 96b, there is an explicit reference to the prohibition of this labor on the Sabbath. Numbers, ch. 15, relates that a person was executed for collecting wood on the Sabbath. As the Rambam states Chapter 21, Halachah 11, this labor includes only the collection of produce. Gathering other substances - e.g., salt - is not included. It is, however, forbidden by Rabbinic decree.5) threshing,6) winnowing,7) separating,8) grinding,9) sifting, 74a (see also Chapter 8, Halachah 11) notes that the three labors - winnowing, separating, and sifting - are similar. Nevertheless, because they represent three different activities performed in the construction of the Sanctuary, each one is considered a separate primary category of forbidden labor.10) kneading,11) baking,12) shearing,13) whitening,14) beating,15) dyeing,16) spinning,17) making heddles, 7:2; Keilim 21:1.)18) mounting the warp,19) weaving,)20) undoing woven fabric,21) tying, which were used for dye were caught with nets that had to be tied (Shabbat 74b).22) untying,23) sewing,24) tearing, 302:4).25) building, gives as an example, the placement of the boards of the Sanctuary in their sockets.26) demolishing,27) beating with a hammer, points to the fashioning of the menorah in the Sanctuary.A craftsman finishing the fashioning of a utensil concludes his work by giving several taps with a hammer to smooth the utensil's surface. Thus, this labor also includes all activities performed to apply the finishing touch to an object - e.g., polishing and shining. (See the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, loc. cit., and Chapter 10, Halachah 16.)28) trapping,29) slaughtering,30) skinning,31) processing [hides],) Significantly, the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2) also includes salting the hides as a separate category of labor. Shabbat 75b, however, includes this activity in the category of processing hides and includes ruling parchment as the thirty-ninth category of labor.32) removing hair,33) cutting [leather],34) writing,35) erasing,)36) ruling lines,37) kindling a flame,38) extinguishing a flame,39) transferring from one domain to another. 96b). This forbidden labor is discussed in great length. (See Chapters 12-19.)

כָּל אֵלּוּ הַמְּלָאכוֹת וְכָל שֶׁהוּא מֵעִנְיָנָם הֵם הַנִּקְרָאִין אֲבוֹת מְלָאכוֹת. כֵּיצַד הוּא עִנְיָנָן. אֶחָד הַחוֹרֵשׁ אוֹ הַחוֹפֵר אוֹ הָעוֹשֶׂה חָרִיץ הֲרֵי זֶה אַב מְלָאכָה. שֶׁכָּל אַחַת וְאַחַת מֵהֶן חֲפִירָה בַּקַּרְקַע וְעִנְיָן אֶחָד הוּא:

All of these [forbidden] labors and all analogous activities are referred to as primary categories of labor. What is meant by an "analogous activity"? Plowing, digging, or making a groove [in the ground] are all considered to be primary categories of work. For each one involves digging in the ground and they all reflect a single activity. 7:2) and in Halachah 9 of this chapter, he uses the term - "labors corresponding to a single category of labor" to describe such activities. This phrase is also used by the Mishnah, Shabbat 7:1 (although interpreted differently by other authorities).The Kessef Mishneh quotes Rav Moshe Kohen as objecting to the Rambam's statements, for the Mishnah specifically states that there are thirty-nine such categories of forbidden labor, while according to the Rambam there would be far more. He thus considers all these other activities as derivatives.The Maggid Mishneh does not see such a difficulty, explaining that, as the Rambam illustrates in the examples he cites in this and the following halachot, the activity being performed is basically the same as the primary category of labor. Thus it is not proper for such an activity to be called a derivative. Similarly, since these activities are identical in nature to the existing categories, it is not proper to consider them as being an additional category with regard to the total sum.Kalkalat Shabbat adds that the activities that the Rambam mentions as analogous to the primary categories of labor are not counted as additional categories because they were not necessary for the construction of the Sanctuary.

וְכֵן הַזּוֹרֵעַ זְרָעִים אוֹ הַנּוֹטֵעַ אִילָנוֹת אוֹ הַמַּבְרִיךְ אִילָנוֹת אוֹ הַמַּרְכִּיב אוֹ הַזּוֹמֵר. כָּל אֵלּוּ אָב אֶחָד הֵן מֵאֲבוֹת מְלָאכוֹת וְעִנְיָן אֶחָד הוּא. שֶׁכָּל אַחַת מֵהֶן לְצַמֵּחַ דָּבָר הוּא מִתְכַּוֵּן:

Similarly, one who sows seeds, plants trees, extends trees, grafts [branches to] trees, or prunes trees: 4:5, "One cuts off [branches] at a specific place to improve the tree."The Eglei Tal and others note that the Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah 1:3, based on Mo'ed Katan 3a) considers pruning merely a derivative of planting with regard to the concept of forbidden labor in the Sabbatical year, while in the present context it is considered in the same status as planting itself.The Eglei Tal resolves this difficulty on the basis of the principle that with regard to the Sabbath, it is, "thoughtful work," that the Torah forbade. This principle does not apply with regard to the prohibitions against working the land in the Sabbatical year.Accordingly, since the activities of planting and pruning are very different, pruning is considered only a derivative with regard to the Sabbatical year. With regard to the Sabbath labors, however, intent is of fundamental importance. Since the intent of both activities is the same - to enable the plant to grow - they are both given equal status. All of these [activities] are considered a single primary category of [forbidden] labor, [for] they share a commonality, since all these activities have a single intent: to cause [a plant] to grow.

וְכֵן הַקּוֹצֵר תְּבוּאָה אוֹ קִטְנִית אוֹ הַבּוֹצֵר עֲנָבִים אוֹ הַגּוֹדֵר תְּמָרִים אוֹ הַמּוֹסֵק זֵיתִים אוֹ הָאוֹרֶה תְּאֵנִים. כָּל אֵלּוּ אַב מְלָאכָה אַחַת הֵן. שֶׁכָּל אַחַת מֵהֶן לַעֲקֹר דָּבָר מִגִּדּוּלָיו מִתְכַּוֵּן. וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ שְׁאָר הָאָבוֹת:

Similarly, a person who reaps grain or legumes, one who harvests grapes, dates, olives, or figs: All these [activities] are considered a single primary category of [forbidden] labor, [for] they share a commonality, since all these activities have a single intent: to remove produce from [the plant] on which it grows. [The same principle applies] with regard to other forbidden categories of labor.

הַתּוֹלָדָה הִיא הַמְּלָאכָה הַדּוֹמָה לְאָב מֵאֵלּוּ הָאָבוֹת. כֵּיצַד. הַמְחַתֵּךְ אֶת הָיָּרָק מְעַט לְבַשְּׁלוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה חַיָּב שֶׁזּוֹ הַמְּלָאכָה תּוֹלֶדֶת טְחִינָה. שֶׁהַטּוֹחֵן לוֹקֵחַ גּוּף אֶחָד וּמְחַלְּקוֹ לְגוּפִים הַרְבֵּה. וְכָל הָעוֹשֶׂה דָּבָר הַדּוֹמֶה לָזֶה הֲרֵי זֶה תּוֹלֶדֶת טוֹחֵן. וְכֵן הַלּוֹקֵחַ לָשׁוֹן שֶׁל מַתֶּכֶת וְשָׁף אוֹתוֹ כְּדֵי לִקַּח מֵעֲפָרוֹ כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁעוֹשִׂים צוֹרְפֵי הַזָּהָב הֲרֵי זֶה תּוֹלֶדֶת טְחִינָה:

A derivative is a labor that resembles one of these categories of [forbidden] labor. 7:2), the Rambam explains that a derivative is an activity that produces a result similar to that produced by one of the forbidden labors, but differs both in the intent and the nature of the activity. What is implied? A person who cuts a vegetable into small pieces to cook is liable, for this activity resembles grinding. When a person grinds, he takes one [large] entity, and divides it into smaller parts. Anyone who performs an activity that resembles this is [performing] a derivative of the labor of grinding. Similarly, a person who takes a strip of metal and pulverizes it to use the powder acts as goldsmiths do; he is [performing] a derivative of the labor of grinding.

וְכֵן הַלּוֹקֵחַ חָלָב וְנָתַן בּוֹ קֵיבָה כְּדֵי לְחָבְצוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה חַיָּב מִשּׁוּם תּוֹלֶדֶת בּוֹרֵר שֶׁהֲרֵי הִפְרִישׁ הַקּוֹם מִן הֶחָלָב. וְאִם גִּבְּנוֹ וְעָשָׂהוּ גְּבִינָה חַיָּב מִשּׁוּם בּוֹנֶה. שֶׁכָּל הַמְקַבֵּץ חֵלֶק אֶל חֵלֶק וְדִבֵּק הַכּל עַד שֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּ גּוּף אֶחָד הֲרֵי זֶה דּוֹמֶה לְבִנְיָן. וְכֵן לְכָל מְלָאכָה וּמְלָאכָה מֵאֵלּוּ הָאָבוֹת יֵשׁ לָהֶן תּוֹלָדוֹת עַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ שֶׁאָמַרְנוּ. וּמִגּוּף הַמְּלָאכָה הַנַּעֲשֵׂית בְּשַׁבָּת תֵּדַע מֵעֵין אֵי זֶה אָב הִיא וְתוֹלֶדֶת אֵי זֶה אָב הִיא:

Similarly, one who takes milk and inserts a [piece of intestine] in it so that it curdles is liable for [performing] a derivative of separating, 7:2), which states that with regard to both this activity and making cheese, one is liable for performing a derivative of kneading. for he separates the curds from the whey.If one made cheese from it, one is liable for [performing a derivative of building]. Whenever one collects separate entities and bonds them together so that they form a single mass, [the activity] resembles building.Similarly, each of the primary categories of [forbidden] labor [mentioned above] possesses derivatives,) states that one of the determinants of a primary category of forbidden labor is that it has derivatives. Perhaps it is to emphasize this point that the Rambam mentions derivatives for each of the thirty-nine categories of labor in the succeeding chapters. Even when the derivatives are not explicitly mentioned in the Talmud, he uses logic to define activities that fall in these categories. (See Merkevet HaMishneh.) which are determined according to the principles explained above. From the nature of the [forbidden] labor performed on the Sabbath, one can determine in which category of [forbidden] labor it should be included, or which [forbidden] labor it is a derivative of.

אֶחָד הָעוֹשֶׂה אָב מֵאֲבוֹת מְלָאכוֹת אוֹ תּוֹלָדָה מִן הַתּוֹלָדוֹת בְּמֵזִיד חַיָּב כָּרֵת. וְאִם בָּאוּ עֵדִים נִסְקָל. בְּשׁוֹגֵג חַיָּב חַטָּאת קְבוּעָה. אִם כֵּן מַה הֶפְרֵשׁ יֵשׁ בֵּין הָאָבוֹת וְהַתּוֹלָדוֹת. אֵין בֵּינֵיהֶן הֶפְרֵשׁ אֶלָּא לְעִנְיַן הַקָּרְבָּן בִּלְבַד. שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׂה בְּשׁוֹגֵג אִם עָשָׂה אָבוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּהֵעָלֵם אֶחָד חַיָּב חַטָּאת אַחַת עַל כָּל אָב וְאָב. וְאִם עָשָׂה אָב וְתוֹלְדוֹתָיו בְּהֵעָלֵם אֶחָד אֵינוֹ חַיָּב אֶלָּא חַטָּאת אַחַת:

A person who willingly, as a conscious act of defiance, performs an activity that constitutes one of the primary categories of [forbidden] labor or one of the derivatives [of these categories] is liable for karet. If witnesses come, he should be stoned [to death]. If [he performs such an activity] without being conscious of the transgression, he must bring a sin offering of a fixed nature.If so, what is the difference between the primary categories of [forbidden] labor and the derivatives? There is no difference except with regard to sacrifices. When a person, without being conscious of the transgression involved, performs many activities, each of which constitutes a different primary category [of forbidden labor] in one period of lack of awareness, 7:1 and Hilchot Shegagot, Chapter 7.) he is obligated to bring a sin offering for every such category [of forbidden labor].If he performs an activity that constitutes a primary category [of forbidden labor] and its derivatives in one period of lack of awareness, he is obligated to bring merely one sin offering. 7:5). If, however, one performed derivatives of two different categories of labor, one is required to bring two sin offerings (loc. cit.:6).

כֵּיצַד. הֲרֵי שֶׁחָרַשׁ וְזָרַע וְקָצַר בְּשַׁבָּת בְּהֵעָלֵם אֶחָד חַיָּב שָׁלֹשׁ חַטָּאוֹת. וַאֲפִלּוּ עָשָׂה הָאַרְבָּעִים חָסֵר אַחַת בִּשְׁגָגָה כְּגוֹן שֶׁשָּׁכַח שֶׁאֵלּוּ הַמְּלָאכוֹת אֲסוּרוֹת לֵעָשׂוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת חַיָּב עַל כָּל מְלָאכָה וּמְלָאכָה חַטָּאת אַחַת. אֲבָל אִם טָחַן וְחָתַךְ הָיָּרָק וְשָׁף לָשׁוֹן שֶׁל מַתֶּכֶת בְּהֵעָלֵם אֶחָד אֵינוֹ חַיָּב אֶלָּא חַטָּאת אַחַת. שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא עָשָׂה אֶלָּא אָב אֶחָד וְתוֹלְדוֹתָיו. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:

What is implied? If a person plows, sows, and reaps on the Sabbath in a single period of lack of awareness, he is required to bring three sin offerings. Even if he performs all thirty-nine [forbidden] labors without knowing of the prohibition involved - e.g., he forgot that it is forbidden to perform these labors on the Sabbath - he is obligated to bring one sin offering for each and every [forbidden] labor. 7:3, the Kessef Mishneh quotes a responsum from the Rambam's son, Rav Avraham, which focuses on the following question: If the person is unaware of the entire concept of forbidden labor, how can we say that he is aware of the concept of Sabbath in general? Seemingly, he should be obligated for only a single sin offering. [I.e., when a person is aware of the concept of the Sabbath, but is unaware of a (or several) particular labor(s), every labor is considered an entity that requires his attention. Hence, a sacrifice is required for each labor. When, however, the entire concept of the Sabbath is unknown to him, there is but one matter of which he is unaware. Hence, only one sacrifice is necessary.]Among the resolutions offered are that the person knew of the positive commandments associated with the Sabbath or that he knew of the prohibition associated with going beyond the Sabbath limits. Alternatively, he knew of the prohibition against forbidden labor, but did not know which labors where forbidden. From the Rambam's wording itself, another resolution can be offered: The person knew that the labors were forbidden, but did not know that they were punishable by karet.In contrast, if he ground [grain], cut a vegetable, and pulverized a strip of metal during a single period of lack of awareness, he is required to bring only one sin offering [for each Sabbath], 7:8-9, which explains that in these circumstances, one is required to bring a sin offering for every Sabbath on which one transgressed. for he performed only a single primary [forbidden] labor and its derivatives. The same applies in all similar situations.

הָעוֹשֶׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה מֵעֵין מְלָאכָה אַחַת בְּהֵעָלֵם אֶחָד אֵינוֹ חַיָּב אֶלָּא חַטָּאת אַחַת. כֵּיצַד. הֲרֵי שֶׁזָּרַע וְנָטַע וְהִבְרִיךְ וְהִרְכִּיב וְזָמַר בְּהֵעָלֵם אֶחָד אֵינוֹ חַיָּב אֶלָּא חַטָּאת אַחַת שֶׁכֻּלָּן אָב אֶחָד הֵן. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:

When a person performs many labors corresponding to a single category of labor in one period of lack of awareness, he is obligated to bring only one sin offering.What is implied? When a person sowed, planted, extended, grafted, and pruned in a single period of lack of awareness, he is obligated to bring only a single sin offering, for all of these [activities] are included in the same primary category of labor. The same applies in all similar situations.