הלכות כלאים פרק ו׳ Rambam · Hilchos Kilayim 6

הַזּוֹרֵעַ יָרָק אוֹ תְּבוּאָה בַּכֶּרֶם אוֹ הַמְקַיְּמוֹ עַד שֶׁהוֹסִיף בְּמָאתַיִם הֲרֵי זֶה מְקַדֵּשׁ מִן הַגְּפָנִים שֶׁסְּבִיבוֹתָיו שֵׁשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה לְכָל רוּחַ. עֲגֻלּוֹת וְלֹא מְרֻבָּעוֹת. וְרוֹאִין כָּל הָעִגּוּל שֶׁרָחְבּוֹ שְׁתַּיִם וּשְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה כְּאִלּוּ הוּא כֻּלּוֹ מָלֵא יָרָק. וְכָל גֶּפֶן שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בְּתוֹךְ עִגּוּל זֶה נִתְקַדְּשָׁה עִם הַיָּרָק וְכָל שֶׁחוּץ לָעִגּוּל אֵינָן מִתְקַדְּשׁוֹת:

When a person sows vegetables or grain in a vineyard or maintains these species, allowing to grow 1/200th, he causes the vines around it to become hallowed in a radius - not a squareAnd thus the vines on the corners are permitted. - of sixteen cubits. We consider the entire circle with a diameter of 32 cubits as if it were filled entirely with vegetables. Any vine that grows in this circle becomes hallowed together with the vegetables. Any one outside the circle is not hallowed.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים כְּשֶׁהָיָה בֵּין שִׂפְתֵי הָעִגּוּל הַזֶּה וּבֵין שׁוּרוֹת הַגְּפָנִים שֶׁחוּצָה לוֹ יוֹתֵר עַל אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת. אֲבָל אִם הָיָה בֵּינֵיהֶם אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת מְצֻמְצָמוֹת אוֹ פָּחוֹת רוֹאִין אֶת הָעִגּוּל כְּאִלּוּ הִגִּיעַ לַשּׁוּרָה הַסְּמוּכָה לוֹ וּכְאִלּוּ רֹחַב הָעִגּוּל אַרְבָּעִים אַמָּה וְרוֹאִין כָּל גֶּפֶן שֶׁתִּפּל בְּתוֹךְ עִגּוּל זֶה שֶׁל אַרְבָּעִים אַמָּה הֲרֵי הִיא מִתְקַדֶּשֶׁת:

When does the above apply? When there are more than four cubits between the edge of this circle and the rows of the vines outside of it.The Rambam derives these concepts from an analysis of the wording of Kilayim 5:5. To explain: The Mishnah states: "[A person who] plants a vegetable in a vineyard... causes 45 vines to be hallowed. When? When they are planted, each one four [cubits from the other] or five [cubits from each other]." As the Rambam explains in his Commentary to the Mishnah, if the vines are five cubits away from each other, some of the 45 vines will be outside the circle. Now its true, that if the vines are four cubits away from each other, there will be individual vines within four cubits of the circle. There will not, however, be "rows of the vines" outside the circle.
The Ra'avad differs with his interpretation. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh support the Rambam's view. If, however, there were exactly four cubits or less between them, we consider the circle as if it reached the row which is next to it and it is as if the diameter of the circle is 40 cubits. We take into consideration every vine that is included in this circle that is 40 cubits in diameter and it is hallowed.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּזוֹרֵעַ אוֹ מְקַיֵּם תּוֹךְ הַכֶּרֶם. אֲבָל הַזּוֹרֵעַ חוּץ לַכֶּרֶם וְסָמוּךְ לוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה מְקַדֵּשׁ שְׁתֵּי שׁוּרוֹת שֶׁל גְּפָנִים הַסְּמוּכוֹת לַזֶּרַע בְּאֹרֶךְ כָּל הַזֶּרַע וְיֶתֶר אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת חוּץ לַזֶּרַע וּמִתְקַדֵּשׁ מִן הַזֶּרַע רֹחַב אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בְּאֹרֶךְ כָּל הַשּׁוּרָה שֶׁל כֶּרֶם. וְאִם זָרַע בְּצַד גֶּפֶן יְחִידִית אֵינוֹ מְקַדֵּשׁ מִן הַזֶּרַע אֶלָּא שִׁשָּׁה טְפָחִים לְכָל רוּחַ:

When does the above apply? When one sows or maintains the different species in the midst of the vineyard. When, however, he sows [the grain or vegetable] outside the vineyard, but next to it, he causes the two rows of the vinesSince the prooftext cited above speaks of "the vineyard" becoming hallowed, the area that becomes hallowed must be at least two rows wide, for only that is worthy of being called "a vineyard" [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 4:5)]. The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's ruling, but the Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh question his objection.
The Kessef Mishneh also clarifies that here a smaller portion of the vineyard is forbidden than in the previous halachah, because the mixed species is not surrounded by the vineyard on all sides. Hence, only four cubits, the area is necessary to perform the work necessary for the vineyard, is forbidden. next to [the different species] sown to become hallowed. [The hallowed portion of the vines continues] over the entire length of [the area] sown plus four cubits [on either side]. A portion four cubits wide [of the area] sown along the entire length of the [external] row of the vineyard becomes hallowed.The Radbaz adds that if one sows the vegetables or grain beyond the row of the vineyard, a four cubit portion of that area is also forbidden. If one sows [such crops] next to a single vine, only a circle with a radius of six handbreadths of the area sown becomes hallowed.For this is the size of the area necessary to tend to a single vine (Kilayim 6:1).

יַלְדָּה פָּחוֹת מִטֶּפַח אֵינָהּ מְקַדֶּשֶׁת אֶת הַזְּרָעִים. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בִּשְׁתַּיִם כְּנֶגֶד שְׁתַּיִם וְאַחַת יוֹצְאָה זָנָב. אֲבָל אִם הָיָה כָּל הַכֶּרֶם כֵּן הֲרֵי זֶה מְקַדֵּשׁ:

A small vine that is less than a handbreadth long does not cause the sown [area]This applies regardless of the species of crops sown there (in contrast to the opinion of Rashi, Sotah 43b) [Kessef Mishneh]. to become hallowed.I.e., because the plants are small, planting them is not considered planting a "vineyard." See also Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni 10:19. It is possible to say that one should, however, keep a distance of six handbreadths between them and grain or vegetables, as stated in the previous halachah with regard to a single vine. When does the above apply? When there are two [vines] planted opposite two others and another one projects as a tail.See Chapter 7, Halachah 7, which describes vines planted in this manner as "a small vineyard." If, however, the entire vineyard [was planted] in this manner, it does become hallowed.For this indicates that this person considers this as a vineyard; alternatively this is a Rabbinic safeguard, lest an observer think that planting other species is permissible in an ordinary vineyard (Radbaz).

שְׁתֵּי גִּנּוֹת זוֹ עַל גַּב זוֹ הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה עֲשׂוּיָה כֶּרֶם זוֹרֵעַ אֶת הָעֶלְיוֹנָה עַד שֶׁהוּא מַגִּיעַ לַאֲוִיר עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים קָרוֹב לַכֶּרֶם. שֶׁאֲוִיר עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים סָמוּךְ לַכֶּרֶם אוֹ לְגֶפֶן יְחִידִית אָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ בּוֹ זְרָעִים. וְאִם הָיְתָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה עֲשׂוּיָה כֶּרֶם הֲרֵי זֶה זוֹרֵעַ אֶת הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה עַד שֶׁהוּא מַגִּיעַ לְמַטָּה מִשְּׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים מֵעִקַּר הַגְּפָנִים:

[The following rules apply when there are] two gardens one above the otherThis refers to a terraced hill with gardens planted on an incline (Radbaz) and the lower one is planted as a vineyard. One should plant the upper one until he reaches within the aerial space of ten handbreadths of the vineyard.The notes to the Frankel edition of the Mishneh Torah cite Hilchot Shabbat 4:4,18 which speaks about the significance of ten handbreadths of space. For it is forbidden to sow seeds within ten handbreadths of the aerial space of a vineyard or a vine. If the upper [garden] was planted as a vineyard, one should sow the lower garden until he reaches within three handbreadths of the roots of the vines.

מִי שֶׁהָיְתָה שָׂדֵהוּ זְרוּעָה יָרָק אוֹ תְּבוּאָה וְנִמְלַךְ לִטַּע בָּהּ גְּפָנִים הוֹפֵךְ אֶת הַזְּרָעִים בְּמַחְרֵשָׁה וְאַחַר כָּךְ נוֹטֵעַ וְלֹא יִטַּע וְאַחַר כָּךְ יַהֲפֹךְ. הָיְתָה נְטוּעָה גְּפָנִים וְנִמְלַךְ לִזְרֹעַ בָּהּ זְרָעִים מְשָׁרֵשׁ אֶת הַגְּפָנִים וְאַחַר כָּךְ זוֹרֵעַ אֶת הַזְּרָעִים. וְאִם רָצָה לָקֹץ אֶת הַגְּפָנִים עַד שֶׁלֹּא יִשָּׁאֵר מֵהֶן אֶלָּא פָּחוֹת מִטֶּפַח סָמוּךְ לָאָרֶץ הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ וְאַחַר כָּךְ יַחֲזֹר וִישָׁרֵשׁ אֶת הַנִּשְׁאָר בָּאָרֶץ מִן הַגְּפָנִים:

When a person's field was sown with vegetables or grain and he changed his mind and decided to plant vines in it, he should turn over the sown produce with a plow and then plant the vines.From the ruling in Chapter 2, Halachah 13, it would appear that he should also wait until the seeds rot (Tosafot Yom Tov). He should not plant the vines and then turn over [the produce].
If it was planted with vines and he changed his mind and decided to sow crops there, he should uproot the vines and then sow the crops. If he desires to merely cut off the vines until there is less than a handbreadth of them near the earth, it is permissible for him to sow [the crops at this point] and then uproot the remainder of the vines from the earth.The Radbaz states that following this course of action will be beneficial, for pulling out the vines will save him the trouble of having to cover the seeds with earth, for that task will be accomplished as a matter of course.

הַמַּבְרִיךְ אֶת הַגֶּפֶן בָּאָרֶץ אֲפִלּוּ הִבְרִיכָהּ בְּתוֹךְ הַדְּלַעַת שֶׁיָּבְשָׁה וְנַעֲשֵׂית כְּסִילוֹן אוֹ בְּתוֹךְ סִילוֹן שֶׁל חֶרֶשׂ אִם הָיָה הֶעָפָר עַל גַּבָּהּ שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים אוֹ יוֹתֵר הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ עַל גַּבָּהּ. וְאִם הָיָה עַל גַּבָּהּ פָּחוֹת מִזֶּה אָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ עַל גַּבָּהּ וּמֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ בְּצִדָּהּ:

[The following laws apply when a person] extends a vine [by embedding it] in the earth,The Rambam is referring to a process which was used to extend a vine and increase its fertility. For if a vine was allowed to grow endlessly, its fertility would wane as it grew longer. Therefore its head was implanted in the ground. There it would grow roots - thus increasing the nurture it could give the plant - and then from the embedded head would sprout forth a new plant. even if he encloses it in a driedIf the gourd is not dried out, it is certainly forbidden, because the gourd itself is a separate species. gourd that serves as a cylinder for it or in an earthernware cylinder.Since as the vine's roots grow, they will emerge from the sides of these cylinders, they are considered as subservient to the earth and not as independent entity. If, however, the person places the vine in a metal pipe, these laws do not apply (See the Jerusalem Talmud, Kilayim 7:1). If there are three handbreadths or more of earth covering it, it is permitted to sow [crops of other species] above it.Since it is buried so deeply in the earth, it is no longer considered significant. If there was less earth than that upon it, it is forbidden to sow above itBecause the amount of earth over it is not that much to cause it to be considered as insignificant. It is, however, permitted to sow at its side.Were it above ground, by contrast, one would have to move six handbreadths away before sowing a crop.

הִבְרִיכָהּ בַּסֶּלַע אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין עָפָר עַל גַּבָּהּ אֶלָּא שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת מֻתָּר לְהָבִיא זֶרַע עָלֶיהָ. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים שֶׁאֵין עִקַּר הַגֶּפֶן נִרְאֶה. אֲבָל אִם נִרְאֶה צָרִיךְ לְהַרְחִיק שִׁשָּׁה טְפָחִים לְכָל רוּחַ וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִזְרַע כְּמוֹ שֶׁמַּרְחִיק מִכָּל גֶּפֶן יְחִידִית שֶׁלֹּא הֻבְרְכָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר:

If he extended it through hard ground,Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 7:2). it is permitted to sow crops over it even if there are only three fingerbreadths and not three handbreadths of earth upon it.For its roots will not emerge.
When does the above apply?This applies to the previous halachah as well. When the base of the vine is not visible. If, however, it is visible, it is necessary to make a distinction of [at least] six handbreadthsThe notes to the Frankel edition of the Mishneh Torah mention that this ruling appears to be somewhat of a departure from the Rambam's understanding as reflected in his Commentary to the Mishnah (loc. cit.). at either side in every direction before sowing just as one must make such a separation from any one vine that was not extended in the ground, as will be explained.Chapter 7, Halachah 1.

הַמַּבְרִיךְ שָׁלֹשׁ גְּפָנִים וְעִקְּרֵיהֶם נִרְאִין. אִם יֵשׁ בֵּינֵיהֶן מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת עַד שְׁמוֹנֶה הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מִצְטָרְפִין לִשְׁאָר גְּפָנִים הָעוֹמְדוֹת וּכְאִלּוּ לֹא הִבְרִיכָן. וְאִם לָאו אֵינָם מִצְטָרְפוֹת:

When a person extends three vines in the ground, but their bases are visible, if there are between four and eight cubits between them,When vines are this distance apart they are still considered as part of the same vineyard (Chapter 7, Halachah 2). they are grouped together with the other vines that are growing [in the vineyard]The Ra'avad differs with the Rambam and maintains that this law applies even if there are no other vines. He maintains that since a portion of the vines extended in the ground is visible, they themselves can be grouped together and considered a vineyard, because the three bases and the three heads are considered as six vines. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh justify the Rambam's ruling. They do not dispute the law mentioned by the Ra'avad, but maintain that it is not the interpretation of the mishnah cited above. (Significantly, the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah appears to follow the Ra'avad's approach.) and it is as if they were not extended in the ground. If not, they are not included among the others.

הָיוּ פָּחוֹת מִשָּׁלֹשׁ אֵין מִצְטָרְפִין אֶלָּא מַרְחִיק מֵהֶן שִׁשָּׁה טְפָחִים לְכָל רוּחַ וְזוֹרֵעַ:

If there were less than three vines, they are not included [as part of the vineyard].The Rambam derives this law from the fact that the mishnah cited above speaks of "three vines." Implied is that the law does not apply to less. Instead, one should separate six handbreadths on every side and sow [other crops].As stated in Halachah 8.

כָּל הַזּוֹרֵעַ תַּחַת הַשָּׂרִיגִים וְהֶעָלִין הַיּוֹצְאִין מִן הַגֶּפֶן הֲרֵי זֶה קִדֵּשׁ וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַזֶּרַע רָחוֹק מֵעִקַּר הַגֶּפֶן כַּמָּה אַמּוֹת:

Anyone who sows crops under branches and leaves that emerge from the vines causes [the produce] to be hallowed even though the crops are several cubits away from the base of the vine.I.e., even though the branch is only an extension of the vine, sowing under it is forbidden. See Halachah 15.

הִדְלָה אֶת הַגֶּפֶן עַל מִקְצָת אַפִּיפְיָרוֹת לֹא יִזְרַע תַּחַת מוֹתַר הָאַפִּיפְיָרוֹת. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין עֲלֵיהֶן לֹא עָלִין וְלֹא שָׂרִיגִים. וְאִם זָרַע הוֹאִיל וְאֵין הַזֶּרַע תַּחַת סְכַךְ הַגֶּפֶן הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר. וְכֵן אִם הִדְלָה הַגֶּפֶן עַל מִקְצָת בַּדֵּי אִילָן שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה פֵּרוֹת כְּגוֹן הָאֶרֶז וְהַבְּרוֹשׁ. אֲבָל אִם הִדְלָה עַל מִקְצָת אִילַן מַאֲכָל הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחַת בַּדֵּי הָאִילָן שֶׁלֹּא נִמְשְׁכוּ עֲלֵיהֶן שָׂרִיגֵי הַגֶּפֶן שֶׁאֵין אָדָם מְבַטֵּל אִילַן מַאֲכָל וְעוֹשֶׂה אַפִּיפְיָרוֹת לְגֶפֶן. וְאִם נִמְשְׁכוּ הַשָּׂרִיגִים אַחַר שֶׁזָּרַע וְסִכְּכוֹ עַל הַזֶּרַע הֲרֵי זֶה מַחֲזִירָם לְמָקוֹם אַחֵר:

When a person drapes a vine over a portion of a trellisSee Chapter 8, Halachah 1, for a description of such trellises. [intended for vines], he should not plant [crops] under the remainder of the trellisI.e., a person prepared a series of trellises over which to drape a vine. In fact, however, he did not drape the vine over the entire area of the trellises, only over a portion of it. He should, nevertheless, be stringent and regard the vine as growing over the entire trellis, because ultimately, it will spread over it. even though there are no leaves or branches upon them.The rationale is that they are placed there so that ultimately, the vine will grow and be extended upon them. If he did plant there, since there are no crops under the shade of the vine, it is permitted.For unless the vine spreads there, the prohibition is merely a Rabbinic safeguard. Similar [laws apply] if he draped a vine over some branches of a tree that does not produce fruit,I.e., it forbidden to sow crops under the entire tree. The produce becomes hallowed, however, only when sowed under the area where the vine is actually draped. e.g., cedars or pines. If, by contrast, he draped a vine over some of the branches of a fruit-bearing tree, it is permitted to sow under the branches of the tree where the vine was not draped. [The rationale is] that a person does not nullify a fruit-bearing tree to make it a trellis for a vine.Since it is a fruit tree, it has its own importance and it is never considered as merely a trellis for the grapes as long as the grape vine is not draped over these branches.
If, after [produce] was sown, the branches were extended and covered the produce, they should be shifted to another place.Note the contrast to the stringency mentioned in the following halachah. The reason for the leniency in this halachah is that the branches of a fruit-bearing tree are considered entities in their own right and are not subservient to the vine. Hence, since it was permitted to sow the crops there, they are not forbidden if the vine grows unintentionally.

הַזּוֹרֵעַ תַּחַת מוֹתַר הָאַפִּיפְיָרוֹת אוֹ תַּחַת מוֹתַר אִילָן שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה פֵּרוֹת וְנִמְשְׁכוּ שָׂרִיגֵי הַגֶּפֶן וְסִכְּכוּ עַל הַזְּרָעִים הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר לְקַיְּמוֹ אוֹ לְהַחֲזִיר הַשָּׂרִיגִים אֶלָּא כֵּיצַד עוֹשֶׂה. עוֹקֵר הַזֶּרַע:

When a person sows under the remainder of the trellisesI.e., portions of the trellises to which the vines have not spread. or under the remainder of the branches of a tree that does not produce fruitFor they are considered as equivalent to the trellises, as stated in the previous halachah. and then the branches of the vine were extended and covered the crops, it is forbidden to maintain them or shift the branches [of the vine].Since he transgressed by sowing there, our Sages required him to uproot the crops (Radbaz). From the Rambam's wording here and in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 6:3), it would appear that he maintains that only the crops are forbidden, but not the vines. What should he do? He should uproot the crops.

קָנִים הַיּוֹצְאִין מִן הֶעָרִיס וְחָס עֲלֵיהֶן לְפָסְקָן כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יַשְׁחִית הָאַפִּיפְיָרוֹת הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחְתֵּיהֶן. וְאִם הִנִּיחָם כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּהַלְּכוּ עֲלֵיהֶן הַשָּׂרִיגִים וְהֶעָלִין הַיּוֹצְאִין הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחְתֵּיהֶן:

When reeds are jutting out from the lattice on the surface of a trellis, but [the owner] does not want to cut them off lest he destroy the trellis, he is permitted to sow [crops] under them.Since his intent is not to drape vines upon them, they are not considered as part of the trellis [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid. 6:8)]. If he left them so that the branches and leaves that emerge will grow upon them, it is forbidden to sow [crops] under them.

פֶּרַח הַיּוֹצֵא מִן הֶעָרִיס אוֹ מִן הַדָּלִית רוֹאִין אוֹתוֹ כְּאִלּוּ מִשְׁקלֶת תְּלוּיָה בּוֹ עַד הָאָרֶץ וְאָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחְתָּיו. וְכֵן הַמּוֹתֵחַ זְמוֹרָה מֵאִילָן לְאִילָן אָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחְתֶּיהָ:

When a branchOur translation is taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid. 6:9). emerges from a vine which is propped upOur translation is taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid. 7:1). or from the trunk of a vine that is not propped up, Since he transgressed by sowing there, our Sages required him to uproot the crops (Radbaz). From the Rambam's wording here and in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 6:3), it would appear that he maintains that only the crops are forbidden, but not the vines. we considered it as if a plumb line is hanging from it to the earth and it is forbidden to sow under it. Similarly, if one extends a branch from one tree to another, it is forbidden to sow under it.

קָשַׁר חֶבֶל אוֹ גֶּמִי בִּזְמוֹרָה וְקָשַׁר הָרֹאשׁ אֶחָד בְּאִילָן הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחַת הַחֶבֶל. וְאִם מָתַח חֲבָל זֶה כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּהַלְּכוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׂרִיגִים וְהֶעָלִים הֲרֵי הוּא כָּאַפִּיפְיָרוֹת וְאָסוּר לִזְרֹעַ תַּחְתָּיו:

When a person ties a rope or rubber cord to a branch and ties the other end to a tree, he is permitted to sow [crops] under the rope.For he is not planning to have the vine grow upon it. If he extended this rope with the intent that the branches and leaves will grow upon it, it is like a trellis and it is forbidden to sow under it.