GROUP B:

Melachot used in preparing the fabrics for the various curtains of the Mishkan, as in Exodus 32:25: "...and they brought the spun yarn of sky-blue wool, dark-red wool, crimson wool, and fine linen."

12. GOZEZ - Shearing
13. M'LABEIN - Bleaching
14. M'NAPETZ - Combing
15. TZOVE'AH - Dyeing
16. TOVEH - Spinning
17. MAYSECH - Warping
18. OSEH BATEH NIRIN - Setting up the loom
19. OREG - Weaving
20. POTZE'AH - Unweaving
21. KOSHEIR - Tying
22. MATIR - Untying
23. TOFER - Sewing
24. KORE'AH - Tearing --------------------

Melacha #12: GOZEZ - SHEARING

Av Melacha: Shearing sheep for wool used to make curtains, or removing hairs from hides.

Principle: Removing a portion of the outer layer of a human or animal -- either to enhance its appearance or to use the removed item.

Toldot: Removing hair, nails or skin.

A. Hair:

1. From a live animal or human being: It is a Torah prohibition to cut, trim, or shear hair of a living being with any special instrument -- e.g. a scissors, or a trimmer.

To comb or brush hair on Shabbat in a manner that inadvertently causes strands of hair to be removed is Patur aval Assur. However, it is permitted to use a brush, provided that:

a. The brush will not necessarily remove hair (not a P'sik Raisha), e.g. the bristles are soft, and

b. The brush is designated specifically for use only on Shabbat; otherwise it is considered a weekday activity (Uvdah d'Chol).

Petting an animal could be a problem of P'sik Raisha.

It is permitted to brush a wig on Shabbat with a soft-bristled brush.

2. From a dead animal: it is a Torah prohibition to pluck hair from the skin of a dead animal -- e.g. feathers from a dead chicken, or hairs from a coat made of animal skin.

B. Nails:

Removing nails with a nail-clipper is Chayav. Biting or in any other way removing nails is Patur aval Assur.

The Rabbis permitted the removal of a nail when all the following conditions are met:

1. It is painful in its present condition

2. The nail is mostly detached

3. It is removed without a special instrument -- e.g. a nail-clipper (or file)

4. It is removed differently than one would do on other days (e.g. one bites or tears it)

5. By removing the nail there is no danger of drawing blood

C. Skin:

Cutting, biting off, or removing pieces of dead skin is prohibited under all circumstances.

One should, therefore, not remove any skin, cuticles, or scabs from one's body, or scratch one's head if it will cause attached dandruff to fall.