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Kilayim 4:9-5:1

Kilayim 4:9

If the rows of a vineyard are 16 cubits apart (about 24 feet), one may plant vegetables in between. To support this, Rabbi Yehuda related an incident in Tzalmon in which a man planted the rows of his vineyard 16 cubits apart. He inclined the branches of two rows towards one another and planted in the plowed ground near each row. The next year, he inclined the branches the other way and planted in the ground that had been fallow the year before. The Sages heard of this and ruled it permitted. Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Shimon permit it even if the rows are only eight cubits apart.

Kilayim 5:1

If a vineyard has been trashed but ten vines can still be harvested within a beis seah (2,500 square cubits, about 5,625 square feet), and they are planted properly (as described in 4:6), it is still considered a vineyard but it is a “poor vineyard.” If the layout is all mixed up but there are two vines opposite three, it is still considered a vineyard. If there aren’t two vines opposite three, it isn’t. Rabbi Meir says that since it has rows of vines, it’s still considered a vineyard.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz