Commentary for Sheviit 3:7

שזעזעתן המחרישה – and even if he did not loosen/move them but rather that he will eventually remove them, it is as if he moved/loosened them.

Introduction This mishnah continues to deal with the topic of removing stones from one’s field on the sabbatical year.

הרי אלו ינטלו – all of them on account of these two [people who are required to move to stones].

Stones which the plow has turned up, or which had been covered and became uncovered, if there are among them at least two, [each] the load of two men, they may be removed. If some stones turn up unexpectedly in one’s field, he is allowed to remove them if there are at least two of them and if each of those two is so large it requires two men to carry them. In such a case the one who sees the person removing these stones will not think that he is simply clearing his field in order to plant. Rather the observer will realize that he is removing the stones in order to use the stones in building. Note that in this case he is allowed to remove not only the large stones but the other stones as well.

המסלק שדהו – that he removes stones from the field, the language of (Isaiah 62:10): “Remove the rocks!”

One who removes stones from his field, he removes the top layers, but he leave those touching the ground. If one needs to remove stones from his field in order to use them in building, he can remove the top layers but not the bottom layers. The reason that he has to leave the bottom layers is to make sure that people don’t think that he is clearing the field in order to prepare it for planting.

ומניח את התחתונות הנוגעות בארץ – that in that manner, it does not appear like repairing/improving the field.

And likewise a heap of pebbles, or a pile of stones; he may remove the top layers but must leave those touching the ground. The same rule applies if he is removing a heap of pebbles or a pile of stones. Again, he may remove the top layers but not the bottom.

גרגיר של צרורות וגל של אבנים – small.

If, however, there is beneath them rocky soil or stubble, they may be removed. If below the pebbles or stones there is still rocky soil, soil that can’t be used for growing, then he may even remove the bottom layer, because it is clearly not being done in preparation for sewing seed.

אם יש תחתיהן סלע או קש – it does not appear like repairing since the place is not appropriate for sowing.