Negative Commandment 267 (Digest)
A Worker Eating from the Employer's Crops while Working
"You shall not waive a sickle to your neighbor's standing grain"—Deuteronomy 23:26.
[Though a worker may eat from the produce on which he is working (see Positive Commandment 201), this is subject to two rules: 1) If he is working on produce that is still attached to the ground, he may only eat from it after he has finished his work with that produce (e.g., once he has filled a basket with grapes that he is harvesting, he may eat of the grapes in there). 2) If he is working with already harvested produce, he may eat of the produce as long as he hasn't completely finished his work on the produce.]
It is forbidden for a worker to eat of produce he is working on [if it doesn't meet the two criteria established above, and it is also forbidden for him to take a break in order to eat from the produce; rather he must eat as he works].
The 267th prohibition is that a hired worker — who is working with produce attached to the ground — is forbidden from eating from the produce as he works.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "[When you come (to work) in your neighbor's standing grain, you may take the ears with your hand.] However, you may not lift the sickle in your neighbor's grain."
Our Sages explained: "The word 'sickle' includes anyone holding a sickle and the time the sickle is used." This means that during the harvest, one is not allowed to harvest for oneself.
It is well known that this verse speaks only about a hired worker; the phrase "when you come" refers to the arrival of the worker, as indicated in the Targum, "when you are hired."
Our Sages said in the 7th chapter of Bava Metzia, "One who works with produce still attached to the ground is allowed by Torah law to eat upon conclusion of the work." The details of the mitzvah are explained there.
Negative Commandment 268 (Digest)
A Worker Eating More than Allowed from his Employer's Crops
"You may eat your fill of grapes at your desire; but you shall not put in your container"—Deuteronomy 23:25.
[Though a worker may eat from the produce on which he is working (see Positive Commandment 201)], he may not take more than he eats while working [to bring home to eat later].
The 268th prohibition is that a hired worker is forbidden from taking from the produce he is working with, more than he needs for his meal.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "You may eat as many grapes as you desire to satisfy your hunger. However, you may not put any into your vessel."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 7th chapter of tractate Bava Metzia. There it is explained what one may eat, and what one may not eat, and that if one eats, he transgresses the prohibition, "You may not put any into your vessel."
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