#239: Introduction to the Melachah of Me’amer

1. The melachah of me’amer, the fourth of the 39 melachot, is defined as gathering together produce that has been picked (Chayei Adam 13:1). Some hold that the produce must be bound or tied together as well to qualify as the melachah (Ketzot Hashulchan 146:49).

2. The Torah prohibition of me’amer is limited only to produce that grows from the ground. Even the Rabbinic prohibition includes only items that come from the ground, such as iron or salt from a mine (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 340:9). In addition, me’amer applies only to items in their original form, not after they have been processed or constructed into a vessel or the like (Aruch Hashulchan, O.C. 340:3). For both reasons, it is permitted to gather other items, such as books, toys, or silverware into a pile (The 39 Melachos, p. 310).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.