Moed Katan 3a

מועד קטן ג׳ ע״א

Learn Moed Katan 3a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Moed Katan 3a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Which שביעית labors are forbidden by the Torah and bring מלקות, and which are only מדרבנן

Overview

This amud asks which kinds of farm work in שביעית are forbidden by the Torah itself. The גמרא finishes an answer from before: the Torah forbids the main labors, but not their subcategories (תולדות). The proof is that the Torah lists pruning and grape-picking separately, even though they already fall under sowing and reaping. Listing them shows that only these subcategories carry Torah liability. A ברייתא seems to forbid many other jobs from the words 'your field, not', but the גמרא answers that those bans are only מדרבנן, and the פסוק is just an אסמכתא. On the side, רב עוקבא בר חמא explains that light hoeing to strengthen a tree is forbidden, while light hoeing to seal cracks is allowed. Then רבי יוחנן and רבי אלעזר argue whether one who plows in שביעית gets מלקות. The גמרא shows that their argument need not depend on רבי אבין's rule. The 'no מלקות' side can rely on the same extra listing of pruning and grape-picking, and the same ברייתא challenge gets the same מדרבנן answer.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. ResolutionThe Torah forbids only the main labors, not their subcategories
2. QuestionWhy did the Torah list pruning and grape-picking?
3. ResponseOnly these listed subcategories carry Torah liability
4. ChallengeA ברייתא seems to forbid every kind of field work
5. ChallengeMore tree work is forbidden: pruning, trimming and cutting branches
6. ChallengeEven fertilizing, clearing stones, covering roots and smoking out pests are forbidden
7. QuestionMaybe even light hoeing and watering are forbidden?
8. ResponseThe limit: only work like sowing, done in both field and vineyard
9. ResolutionThe extra jobs are only Rabbinic
10. ChallengeIs light hoeing really allowed in the seventh year?
11. ResolutionTwo kinds of light hoeing
12. StatementDoes one who plows in the seventh year get lashes?
13. QuestionSuggesting the argument depends on רבי אבין's rule
14. QuestionSpelling out how the argument would depend on רבי אבין
15. RejectionEveryone rejects רבי אבין's rule
16. ResolutionWhy the other side says no מלקות: only the listed sub-jobs count
17. ChallengeA ברייתא forbids weeding, hoeing and cutting weeds
18. ChallengeThe ברייתא also forbids trimming and cutting tree branches
19. ChallengeThe ברייתא also forbids fertilizing, clearing stones and smoking out pests
20. StatementThe ברייתא sets a limit: some light jobs are still allowed
21. ChallengeSowing is the model for all forbidden work
22. ResolutionThose extra jobs are only rabbinic