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The 39 Melachot


There are thirty-nine general categories of labor that are forbidden on shabbat. Each of these categories include a range of derivative laws and activities, some of which are described in "The Shabbat Laws." The melachot are generally divided into six groups, classified according to the Mishkan's activities with which they are associated.

Field Work

  • Sowing
  • Plowing
  • Reaping
  • Binding Sheaves
  • Threshing
  • Winnowing
  • Selecting
  • Grinding
  • Sifting
  • Kneading
  • Baking

Making Material Curtains

  • Shearing Wool
  • Cleaning
  • Combing
  • Dyeing
  • Spinning
  • Stretching the Threads
  • Making Loops
  • Weaving Threads
  • Separating the Threads
  • Tying a Knot
  • Untying a Knot
  • Sewing
  • Tearing

Making Leather Curtains

  • Trapping
  • Slaughtering
  • Skinning
  • Salting
  • Tanning
  • Scraping
  • Cutting

Making the Beams of the Mishkan

  • Writing
  • Erasing

The Putting up and Taking down of the Mishkan

  • Building
  • Breaking Down

The Mishkan's Final Touches

  • Extinguishing a Fire
  • Kindling a Fire
  • Striking the Final Hammer Blow
  • Carrying

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: July 10, 2011
RE Putting out a fire on Shabbat
When the fire poses potential danger, we are indeed obligated to call 911 and do whatever we can to put it out. Like the other Shabbat restrictions, this prohibition is only when the fire is not life-threatening.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org, Montreal, QC

Posted: July 9, 2011
Putting out a fire on Shabbat
I believe that anything that could potentially hurt humanity has to be dealt with on the Sabbath as well as other days. We respect our environment which means putting out a fire so we aren't breathing smoke and can protect and live in the home God has provided us. We lead by example and I wouldn't want that to happen to my children while they watch as they could potentially die of smoke inhilation or burn to death if it is unlawful to run to safety on the Sabbath day. Poor judgment is my verdict as well.
Posted By Anonymous, Lethbridge, Canada

Posted: Feb 24, 2011
Putting out a fire on Shabbat.
My obervant daughter told me that once she was at a Shabbat dinner. During the meal, the Shabbat candles fell over and set fire to nearby window curtains. No one tried to put out the fllames. Foretunaltely, nothing else caught fire. My own feeling was that this showed poor judgment by those present. What do you think ?
Posted By Jack, Midland Park, NJ

Posted: Aug 12, 2010
39 Melachos
It would be very useful to publish their names in vocalized Hebrew.
Thanks
Posted By ShiaDuvid, brooklyn, ny



 


Shabbat Rest
Melacha - A Unique Definition of Work
The Shabbat Laws
Food Preparation on Shabbat
The 39 Melachot
Eruv
Saving Lives on Shabbat

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