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    Chapter 2 · The 39 Avot Melakhot

    Garment order II - Warping, heddles, weaving, splitting, tying, untying, sewing, tearing

    Lesson 9 of 28 26 min

    Eight melakhot that assemble finished cloth. Two are especially practical today: tying/untying (knots, bags, shoes), sewing/tearing (opening packages).

    Lesson goals
    • 01Distinguish a craftsman's knot, a permanent knot, and a temporary knot
    • 02Recognize when opening a package is "mekkeh be'patish" or "tearing in order to sew"
    • 03Know the halakha on shoelaces (Shulchan Arukh OC 317)
    01

    The Fabric's Structure: Warping, Heddles, Weaving, Splitting

    We continue our journey in constructing a garment, focusing on four more foundational melakhot related to the weaving process. These are the very building blocks of the fabric itself.

    משנה שבת ז:ב
    האורג...המסך...הנירין...הפוצע...

    The weaver... The warper... The heddle-maker... The splitter...

    מסךMeisach
    The melakha of preparing the warp threads on a machine, or stretching them onto the loom. This is the initial stage of preparing the weaving base.
    ניריןNirin
    The melakha of creating the heddles, which are threads connected to the warp threads, allowing them to be raised and lowered to create the shed through which the weft threads pass. This is a key tool in the weaving process.
    אורגOreg
    The melakha of completing two heddle-sets, meaning weaving at least two threads, combining the warp and weft threads to create the fabric. This is the central melakha of fabric creation.
    פוצעPotze'a
    The melakha of separating the fabric threads from the loom after weaving. This action completes the creation of the fabric as an independent piece of material.
    02

    Knots: Tying and Untying

    Two very important melakhot for daily life are Tying (Kosher) and Untying (Matir). Not every act of tying or untying is forbidden on Shabbat. We must distinguish between different types of knots.

    1. 1First, identify the type of knot: Is it a 'permanent knot'?
    2. 2Is it a 'craftsman's knot'?
    3. 3Is it a 'temporary knot'?
    קשר של קיימאKesher shel Kayama
    A knot intended to remain tied for a long duration, such as a knot in a string one wishes to mend, or a fishing net knot. Such a knot is forbidden to tie or untie on Shabbat.
    קשר אומןKesher Uman
    A professional, complex knot, designed for a specific purpose, even if it's not strictly permanent. For example, a sailor's knot, or a knot meant to bear weight. Such a knot is also forbidden.
    קשר עראיKesher Arai
    A knot intended to be opened within a short time, such as shoelaces (if not tied in a double, overly strong knot), or a disposable bag knot. Such a knot is permitted to tie and untie on Shabbat.
    Insight

    The central distinction is not the knot's strength, but the tyer's intention: Does he want the knot to last or to be opened soon?

    03

    Shoelaces: Practical Halakha

    Shoelaces are an excellent example of everyday knots. How do we treat them on Shabbat?

    שו"ע או"ח שיז:א
    שרוכי מנעלים מותר לקשרם ולהתירם, ובלבד שלא יעשה קשר של קיימא, כגון קשר כפול חזק שקשה לפותחו (רמ"א או"ח שיז:א)

    Shoelaces may be tied and untied, provided one does not make a permanent knot, such as a strong double knot that is difficult to open (Rema Orach Chaim 317:1)

    Insight

    The regular knot for shoelaces, involving one loop on each side, is considered a temporary knot and is permitted. However, a double knot, or an especially strong knot intended to last for many days, is considered a permanent knot and is forbidden.

    Therefore, it is permitted to tie and untie shoelaces on Shabbat as usual, as long as one does not create a permanent or difficult-to-open knot.

    04

    Opening Packages: Sewing and Tearing

    The melakhot of Sewing (Tofer) and Tearing (Kore'a) deal with joining and separating materials. Opening many packages today falls under these categories. This is a significant halakhic challenge.

    תופרTofer
    The melakha of permanently joining two things together, such as sewing two pieces of fabric. Gluing or other permanent attachments are also included in this melakha.
    קורעKore'a
    The melakha of separating two joined things, or tearing a whole item, intentionally and in order to mend or use the parts. For example, tearing a garment in order to re-sew it. Random tearing without mending or use is rabbinically forbidden. Tearing packages is often 'tearing in order to sew' or 'mekkeh be'patish'.
    Insight

    Opening many packages today, such as a milk carton or a cereal box, involves tearing. If the tearing is done in a way that ruins the packaging and prevents reuse, or in a way that creates a new, usable 'opening,' it is considered a complete melakha of 'Mekkeh be'patish' (completing an item) or 'Kore'a al menat litfor' (tearing in order to sew - to allow use of the contents).

    Therefore, one should avoid opening packages in a way that creates a new usable opening, or tearing them in a place meant for sewing/joining. It is preferable to open packages in an unusual manner or to use pre-opened packages.

    Practice

    Check 3 packages in your kitchen. Decide based on what you learned - permitted or forbidden to open on Shabbat?

    Lesson wrap-up

    Package-opening halakhot are the classic case of an old structure meeting a new reality.

    Check your understanding

    Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

    Question 1 of 4

    Which of the following actions is permitted on Shabbat according to Halakha?

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