658. Detaching

Shabbos 9:19

One who straightens and separates threads in the course of weaving performs a subordinate labor of weaving. Similarly, braiding hair is a subordinate labor of weaving. The amount for which one would liable for making a braid is two fingerbreadths in length.

Shabbos 9:20

One is liable for detaching two threads of woven fabric; this is the case whether he removes the woof from the warp or vice versa. One would only be liable if his action was constructive in nature and not destructive, such as people who mend light garments by unweaving them and then reweaving them. Similarly, one who undoes a braid for the purpose of improving it performs a subordinate labor of detaching. The minimum amount for which one would be liable is the same as for detaching.