Kilaayim - Chapter 2

[The following rules apply when] seeds [of one species] are mixed together1 with seed of another [species]. If the smaller quantity was one twenty-fourth [or more of the entire mixture], e.g., a se'ah of wheat became mixed with 23 se'ah of barley,2 it is forbidden to sow the mixture unless one reduces the amount of wheat3 or adds to the amount of barley.4 If he sowed [the mixture as is], he is liable for lashes.5

Any [species of seed] that is considered a forbidden substance with the seeds [that are mixed in] is included in the sum of one twenty-fourth. What is implied? 23 se'ah of wheat were mixed together with two kabbin of barley, two kabbin of lentils, and two kabbin of beans.6 He should not sow the entire mixture until he reduces the se'ah of mixed substances by removing part of it or adding to the wheat, for barley, lentils, and beans are all considered as kilayim with wheat.

When does the above apply? When the different types of grain are mixed together, the different legumes are mixed together or grain is mixed with legumes or legumes mixed with grain. If, however, species of garden seeds are mixed with grain or beans, the measure [which is considered significant] is one twenty-fourth of what would be sown of that species7 in the area necessary to sow a se'ah [of grain].8 If [this amount] is mixed with a se'ah9 of grain or legumes, one should not sow the mixture unless he reduces [the garden seeds] or adds to the grain.

What is implied? [For example,] mustard seed was mixed with grain. Now a kav10 of mustard seed is sown in the area fit for a se'ah of grain. If one twenty-fourth of a kav of mustard seed is mixed with a se'ah11 of grain or legumes, one must reduce [the mustard seed]. Similarly, if it was customary to sow two se'ah of a species of garden seeds in an area where a se'ah of grain would ordinarily be sown,12 should a half a kav13 be mixed in a se'ah of grain or legumes, it must be reduced.

Therefore, [the following laws apply if] grain becomes mixed with flax seed. If there were three quarters [of a kav] in every se'ah [of grain], it is necessary to reduce the amount [of flax]. If there is less than that [amount], it is not necessary to make such a reduction. [The rationale is that] in an area fit to sow a se'ah [of grain], it is customary to sow three se'ah of flax seeds. This pattern is followed with regard to all other types of seeds.

When does the above apply? When one did not intend to mix the two species and one did not intend to sow a mixture of the two species. If, however, one intended to mix one species of seed with another species or to sow two species,14 it is forbidden to sow even one kernel of wheat with an entire grainheap of barley. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.

[The following rules apply when] a person sowed a particular species in his field,15 but when the crops grow, he saw that there are intermingled species there.16 If the [intermingled] species covered one twenty-fourth of the area in the field, he should gather it until he reduces the amount because of the impression that might be created.17 [An onlooker might think that] perhaps he sowed mixed substances intentionally. [This applies] whether the [intermingled] species that grew was grain and legumes amid grain and legumes or garden seeds amid grain, legumes, and garden seed. If the amount that grew was less than this, he does not need to reduce it.

When does the above apply? When there is a reason to suspect [that he did so intentionally]. When, however, it is apparent from the situation that this was not the owner's intent, but the [intermingled species] grew on their own accord, we do not require him to reduce their amount.

What is implied? Indigo grew in [a field of] wheat. Grass grew in [a field of] chilbah18 planted for human consumption.19 [It is obviously undesirable, because the intermingled species] damage the primary species. Similar laws apply in all analogous situations.

How is it possible to know whether the chilbah is planted for human consumption? When it is sown in a series of rows and there is a border around it.20

Similarly, if different species grew in the place of the grainheap, we do not require him to uproot them, for it is known that he does not desire plants to grow in the place of the grainheap.21 If he removed some of the growths - which indicates that he desires to maintain [the plants] that remain - we tell him to uproot everything except one species.22

We may not plant vegetables in a stump of a wild fig tree or the like.23

[The following laws apply when a person] buries a bundle24 of turnips, radishes, or the like under a tree, or even under a vine.25 If some of the leaves were revealed, he need not be concerned [about the prohibition against kilayim],26 since he does not desire that [the buried vegetables] take root. If they were not [tied in] a bundle or their leaves were not revealed,27 he must show concern for that prohibition.

When a field had been sown and the produce [that grew] was harvested, but the roots were left in the earth, one should not sow another type of produce in that field until the roots are removed. [This applies] even if [these roots] will not produce a plant for several years.28

When a person had sown wheat in his field and then changed his mind and decided to sow barley before the wheat grew, he must wait until the wheat seeds rot and decompose in the earth - i.e., three days if the field is well irrigated. Afterwards, he should turn the land upside down with a plow29 and sow the other species. He does not have to turn the entire field upside down until there is not one kernel of wheat that has not been uprooted. Instead, he should plow the field like he would plow it before rainfall so that it would be watered thoroughly.

If the wheat grew and then he changed his mind and decided to sow barley, he should turn over the field30 and then sow it. If he let his animal into the field and it ate the growths, it is permitted to sow the other species.

On the first of Adar, a pronouncement is made regarding [the need for concern for] kilayim.31 Every person should go out to his garden and his field and clean it from mixed species. On the fifteenth of [Adar], the agents of the courts go out and spread out [throughout the land] to check.

Originally, [the agents of the court] would uproot [the mixed species] and cast them out and the owners of the fields would be happy that [the court's agents] would be cleaning their fields.32 [As a safeguard against indolence, the court ordained] that they would declare ownerless33 any field where mixed species were found, provided the [additional] species was one twenty-fourth [of the entire crop]. If it is less than that, they should not touch it.

The agents of the court return during the intermediate days of Pesach to look at the crop that were late in ripening. If mixed species have budded, we do not wait. Instead, [the agents] go out immediately and declare the entire field ownerless if one twenty-fourth of it is from a second species.