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.1
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement2 (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:3 "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,4 "One who works with produce still attached to the ground is allowed by Torah law to eat upon conclusion of the work."5 The details of the mitzvah are explained there.
