The laws of Meameir

Gathering Scattered items on Shabbos

1. The Av Melacha:[1]

The action of Meameir [gathering stalks] is one of the principal Shabbos prohibitions which occurred in the Tabernacle with the planted herbs.

 

2. The Biblical Prohibition:[2]

A. The Gathering is being done in area of growth unless being pressed into one mass

First Opinion: It is only considered [the Melacha of] Meameir when one gathers [the produce] in the area of its growth, similar to the harvesting of stalks of which the ears of grain are gathered in their area of growth.

Second Opinion-Making items into one mass: ([However] there are opinions which say that one who presses fruits [together] until they form one mass is liable for Meameir even when he does so not in the place of its growth such as) one who gathers figs and makes from it a round cake [of pressed figs] or punctures the figs and enters a rope through them until they gather and form one mass, then this is an offshoot of the Meameir prohibition and one is liable, and so too any cases of the like.

The Final Ruling: (One must be stringent like their words [of the latter opinion).

B. Items that grow from the ground:

The [Biblical] Meameir prohibition only applies with [the gathering of] items which grow from the ground. [However, Rabbinically it applies to all items as will be explained next.]

3. The Rabbinical prohibition-Gathering items that do not grow from ground in their area of growth:[3]

Rabbinically gathering is forbidden to be done even with items that do not grow on the ground, [meaning that it is forbidden] to gather them in their area of growth.

Example-Gathering salt from their deposits: For example [it is Rabbinically forbidden] to gather salt from the evaporated deposits of water, [these deposits] evaporates the water and create the salt and so too with all cases of the like.

4. Permitted form of gathering-Gathering from out of the area of growth:[4]

First Opinion: If the [fruits] have dispersed into another area [out from its original place of growth] then it is permitted to gather them as written in chapter 335 [Halacha 5].

Second Opinion-Making items into one mass out from their area of growth: ([However] there are opinions which say that one who presses fruits [together] until they form one mass is liable for Meameir even when he does so not in the place of its growth such as) one who gathers figs and makes from it a round cake [of pressed figs] or punctures the figs and enters a rope through them until they gather and form one mass, then this is an offshoot of the Meameir prohibition and one is liable, and so too any cases of the like.

The Final Ruling: (One must be stringent like the words [of the latter opinion and thus not turn into one mass, items that are gathered even out of their area of growth].)

Gathering all the food together versus a little at a time: Scattered fruits: See Halacha 5. Other items: See Halacha 5 Q&A there!

Placing the gathered item into a basket: Scattered fruits: See Halacha 5 Other items: See Halacha 5 Q&A there!

Summary of Gathering items on Shabbos [1-4]: In area of growth: It is forbidden to gather items together within their area of growth. This applies to both items which grow from the ground [in which case gathering them in their area of growth is Biblically forbidden] and items that do not grow from the ground such as salt [in which case gathering them there consists of a Rabbinical prohibition]. Out of area of growth: It is forbidden [according to some Biblically] to gather items together and press them into one mass, such as a fig ring, even out of their area of growth. It is permitted to gather items out of their area of growth if one does not press it into one mass.[5] Regarding gathering the items into one basket and gathering them all together in one time-see the next Halacha!

5. Gathering scattered fruits:

A. From under the tree which they grew on:[6]

One who gathers fruits and joins them together in the area where they fell off the tree [has transgressed the Meameir prohibition].

B. From an area which they have not grown in:[7]

Gathering fruits which scattered in courtyard: One’s whose fruits scattered in his courtyard, one [fruit going] to one area and another to another area, may gather a small amount of them at a time and eat [them]. However, he may not place [the gathered fruits] into a basket or into a box.

The reason for this: Is so one not [gather the fruits] in the same way that he does so during the week [which is considered a mundane act[8]].

Gathering fruits which have fallen into one area: However, if the fruits have fallen into one area [and did not scatter] then one may place them even into a basket or box.

If they fell into one area but is amongst pebbles and dust: However, one whose fruits have [fallen] into pebbles and dust, may only be gathered one at a time [in order] to eat [right away[9]]. However, he may not place them into a basket or box. [See Q&A regarding if this applies to other foods]

The reason for this is:[10] So he does not do a mundane act [which resembles Borer[11]].

Summary-Gathering scattered fruits: From area of growth: Is always forbidden. Out of area of growth: · Scattered to different directions: Fruits which have scattered to different directions, not within their area of growth, may only be gathered a small amount at a time in order to eat and may not be placed into a basket or box. · Fell into same area: Fruits which have fallen into the same area, then if the area does not contain dust and pebbles, one may gather the fruits in order to eat and he may place them into a basket or box. However, fruits which have fallen into pebbles and dust may only be gathered one at a time in order to eat but may not be placed into a basket or box even if they have fallen into the same area. Q&A May one gather the fruit into his pocket or shirt in a case that it may not be gathered into a basket? Some rule[12] that this has the same ruling as does a basket, and is thus forbidden. Others[13] rule that in a case that the fruits scattered and are not mixed with pebbles and dirt then they may be gathered into ones shirt.   If the fruits are in danger of being ruined if left un-gathered may one be lenient to gather them into a basket?[14] Seemingly one may be lenient in such a case. Certainly, one may be lenient to gather them into one’s shirt.   Does the above restriction to only gather items a little at a time and not to place them in a basket apply by all scattered items or only by fruit?[15] Some[16] learn that if it is troublesome to gather the items then it has the same restrictions as fruits. Does this restriction against placing a selected food into a basket apply to other foods as well or only to fruits that have fallen into earth?[17] From the letter of the law, it does not apply to any other situation other than the one listed above, and thus so long as one plans to eat the selected item right away, he may place it anywhere he wishes.[18] However, there are opinions[19] which are stringent in this with regards to all cases to restrict one from placing the selected food in one’s pocket or designated basket even if he plans to eat it right away. Nevertheless, even according to them it is allowed to place the food on the eating table or one’s plate and he does not have to literally place it his mouth directly following the separation.

General Q&A   May one gather eggs from a chicken coop on Shabbos? [20] It is forbidden to be done even if the eggs were laid before Shabbos and are not Muktzah as gathering items that do not grow from the ground.[21] However, if delaying their gathering will cause a great loss one may be lenient to ask a gentile to gather them.[22] May one gather non-Muktzah papers which have scattered on the floor? [23] According to some opinions if it is troublesome to gather them then this would have the same restrictions as do fruits and may thus only be gathered a little at a time and may not be entered into a basket. May one gather apples which fell and scattered on one’s floor? See summary of gathering scattered fruits. May one make a necklace or bracelet by entering items into them?[24] This is forbidden due to the prohibition against fixing a vessel[25], and according to others[26] also due to the “Meameir” prohibition. Some[27] however permit it to be done, as they say that the Meameir prohibition only applies by gathering items that grow from the ground, and they do not hold that doing so involves the fixing prohibition.[28] May one make a flower bouquet on Shabbos? Some Poskim[29] rule it is forbidden to do so.[30] According to these Poskim it is forbidden to be done even if one does not tie the flowers together and simply places them in the same vase.

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[1] Admur 340:15

[2] Admur 340:15

[3] Admur 340:15

[4] Admur 340:15

[5] So is implied from Admur and so rules M”B 340:37. However Piskeiy Teshuvos 340:24 brings from Bris Olam that gathering items even out of their place of growth is forbidden due to Meameir. Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol on his source.

[6] Admur 340:15

[7] Admur 335:5

[8] Some explain that the intent of this mundane act prohibition is due to it being troublesome to gather all the fruits. [Bris Olam Meameir 7] According to this all-scattered items which are troublesome to be gathered would carry the same restrictions as gathering fruits and it would thus be forbidden to gather them a lot at a time and place them into a basket. [Az Nidbaru 14:17 brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 335:1]

[9] Shabbos Kehalacha 14:45

This requirement for it to be done for right away use is due to the Borer restrictions, and is irrelevant to the laws of Meameir. Thus, in a case that the fruits scattered on a clear floor in which the fruits are not mixed with any other items, it may be gathered for even later on use, so long as it is done for a Shabbos need. [Compiler]

[10] 335:5

[11] Ketzos Hashulchan 146 p. 98 number 2; However the M”B explains that this is forbidden simply because of Uvdin Dichol. The Ketzos Hashulchan ibid questions this explanation of the M”B and thus gives his alternative explanation mentioned above.

[12] M”B 335:18; See Shabbos Kehalacha 12:45 in the stringent opinion there!

[13] Ketzos Hashulchan 146 footnote 50 -7

[14] Ketzos Hashulchan 146 footnote 50 -7, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 340:24

[15] Piskeiy Teshuvos 340:24 and 335:1

[16] Az Nidbaru ibid

[17] Shabbos Kehalacha 12:45

[18] So rules the Beis Yosef and Tosefas Rid, and so rules Rav Farkash proving that this too is the opinion of Admur.

[19] So rules the Igleiy Tal, brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 125 footnote 8

[20] Ketzos Hashulchan 146 footnote 49-22.

[21] As gathering items that do not grow from the ground in their area of growth [which in this case is the coop] is Rabbinically forbidden.

[22] Sheivet Haleivi 4:39 As is always the ruling regarding asking a gentile to do a Rabbinical prohibition in a time of great need.

[23] Piskeiy Teshuvos 340:24

[24] Ketzos Hashulchan 146 footnote 49-25; Piskeiy Teshuvos 340:26

[25] Ketzos Hashulchan 146 footnote 49-25

[26] Orchos Chayim 13

[27] Shevisas Hashabbos Meameir

[28] According to all it does not involve the writing prohibition as there is no prohibition in forming a word as explained above.

[29] Igros Moshe 4:73

[30] This is forbidden due to fixing a vessel, as the gathering of the different flowers to make a bouquet are considered making a nice vessel out of the flowers. [ibid] However see Ketzos Hashulchan 8 p. 92 which seems to imply that the only question involved in gathering the flowers together is the prohibition of Miameir. However, when done outside of the area of growth, such as in one’s home, it is permitted. Hence implying doing so does not carry the Tikkun Keli prohibition. Vetzaruch Iyun on the essence of the logic itself to consider simply placing flowers near each other as Tikkun Keli. It does not appear at all like one is making a Keli. This is unlike a necklace which when one enters the beads it is clearly apparent as if one is making a Keli. Vetzaruch Iyun.