1. Write down the Hebrew name and the principle (not the Toldah examples) of the following Melachot:

a. Plowing
b. Planting
c. Reaping/harvesting
d. Gathering
e. Threshing

2. Is it permitted to walk through a very wet and muddy field? Why or why not?

3. Is it permitted to throw sunflower seeds on the ground? Why or why not?

4. In what case(s) is it permitted to open your curtains in front of your plants on Shabbos in the summertime, and why ?

5. If a flower falls out of its vase on Shabbos, may you return it to the vase? Why or why not?

6. Is it permitted to pick an apple off the tree on Shabbos, to throw it at someone on Sunday? If not, what prohibition is involved?

7. If you don't have lemon juice, how is it permitted to get lemon juice into your cup of tea, and why?

8. Are you allowed to use a sponge on Shabbos? Why or why not?

ANSWERS

1. a. Choresh - Preparing or enhancing the ground for planting.

b. Zore'ah - Enhancing growth on the ground.

c. Kotzer - Detaching something from the ground to use that which is being detached.

d. M'amer - Making a usable unit of things that grow individually on the ground, in the place where they grow.

e. Dosh - Breaking down an object into its components.

2. If your steps don't make a "growth difference" in the field, it is permitted, because you just intend for the walking.

3. If the seeds are thrown in a place where they will certainly grow, it is prohibited. Otherwise, it is permitted, since you do not intend to plant them.

4. One may open curtains before the sun came, e.g. at night, as long he doesn't care for his plants. In time of great need/pain, one may open the curtains even in daytime (if he doesn't care about the plants).

5. Generally it is forbidden since you help the flower grow further. However, if the flower won't open up anymore at all, it is permitted. Filling a vase with (more) water is always prohibited.

6. This is a prohibition of Kotzer, since you picked the apple with the purpose of using it.

7. It is permitted to squeeze the lemon onto sugar and add that to your tea. This is allowed because one is not squeezing the lemon for use as a liquid, but to be used as a solid. Or, one may add a slice of lemon to the tea (in a third vessel) without squeezing it at any point in time.

8. No. Squeezing water out of a sponge (for the water) is Chayav as a Toldah of Dosh. Squeezing out the water to get rid of it is Chayav under the Melacha of Melabein. Squeezing out liquid that keeps the sponge dirty is Patur aval Assur under both Melachot. Because of all this, a regular sponge is Muktzah.