Zoreah: Difference between revisions

Zoreah involves planting as opposed to [[Zoreh]] which involves scattering a collection by the wind.

# In general, any action that initiates or promotes plant growth in any way is included in the prohibited Melacha called Zoreah (planting). <ref> 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 261) </ref>

# Planting of any amount is forbidden. The applications of this prohibition are planting, grafting, removal of obstacles to the plant, fertilizing, watering, spraying insecticide, putting seeds in water, and moving a plant in a bored pot.  <Ref> Rambam [[Shabbat]] 8:2, Eglei Tal Zoreya 1,4-8 </ref>

# It is permitted to open and close a green house door in order to enter and exit but one may not do so in order to promote the growth of the plants. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 26:9 </ref>

# If one accidentally dropped a seed on [[Shabbat]], if the seed is not muktzah (such as watermelon, apple, pear, or sunflower seeds, bird seeds) then it should be picked up right away (in order to violate Zoreah according to some opinions) and if the seed is muktzah (such as raw beans, raw peas, garden seeds, date pits, and date pits) it should not be picked up only after [[Shabbat]]. <ref> 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 266) </ref>

# Placing a seed on a well trodden path isn't a violation of Zoreah (because the seed won't sprout), <ref>S"A 336:4 </ref> however, this is inadvisable because one could misjudge the situation and many seeds are muktzeh. (for which seeds are muktzeh see last halacha).<ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 263) </ref>

# One should be careful not to spill any liquid or even to spit on plants on Shabbos. <ref> 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 267-8), Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 26:6 </ref>

# Urinating on a plant isn't a violation of Zoreah (because the caustic fluid doesn't help the plant). <ref>S"A 336:3, Mishna Brurah 336:28, 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 267-8) </ref>See the halacha about urinating into dirt (Melachet Lash).  

# Regarding leaving a sprinkler on a timer one must consult one's local Orthodox Rabbi. <ref> Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 26:8 writes that one should ask this question to one's Rabbi. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/727469/Rabbi_Daniel_Stein/Meleches_Zoreiya_-_2_-_Sprinklers_on_Shabbos Rabbi Stein] quotes Rav Hershel Schachter who is strict regarding leaving the sprinkler on a timer over [[Shabbat]]. However, [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehalacha.com%2Fattach%2FVolume5%2FIssue12.pdf Halachically Speaking] quotes Rav Yisrael Belsky who permits except in an area that is seen by the public.</ref>

# If it rained and water collected on a Sukkah covering (shlock) and by removing the covering the water will spill onto grass it is only permitted to remove the cover if the grass is fully saturated (such as after it rained steadily for a long time and the ground hasn’t begun to dry). However, if the grass isn’t fully saturated one may not remove the covering if by doing so one will spill rainwater on the grass. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 268-70) </ref>

# If the Sukkah is on a pavement or deck and the water will first spill on the pavement or deck and then spill over to the lawn it is permitted to open the covering provided that one doesn’t intend to water the grass and that some of the water doesn’t spill directly onto the grass. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 268-70) </ref>

# Many authorities forbid handling a potted plant on [[Shabbat]] even if it doesn’t improve it’s growth, while some are lenient. <Ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 275) quotes Shevitat [[Shabbat]] (Kotzer 5) and that he heard in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein that potted plants are Muktzeh, however, he adds that it seems from other sources that it wouldn’t be an issue.</ref>

# A bouquet of flower isn’t usually Muktzeh. Some authorities permit putting fully bloomed flowers in water on [[Shabbat]], while others forbid in any event. Therefore, one should avoid putting any flowers in water on [[Shabbat]].  

# It is permissible to remove flowers from water on [[Shabbat]] <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 276-7) quoting Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 26:29</ref>and if a fully bloomed flower was removed and it was in water from before [[Shabbat]] it is permissible to reinsert it. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 276-7). See S”A 336:11. </ref>

# One may not put tree branches in a vase with water on [[Shabbat]]; however, one may return them to water unless there are flowers on the branches. On [[Shabbat]] one may not add water to a vase with flowers or branches; however, on [[Yom Tov]] one may add water. <Ref>S”A 654:1, Mishna Brurah 336:54, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 26:26 </ref>

# On [[Sukkot]], it is permitted to put a Lulav back in water if it was in water before [[Yom Tov]]. Also, one may return the Lulav to a damp towel but one may not prepare this towel on [[Yom Tov]]. However, on [[Shabbat]] the Lulav is Muktzeh. <Ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 277) </ref>