Quem corta madeira de uma oliveira não pode cobri-la com sujeira. No entanto, ele pode cobri-lo com pedras ou palha. Quem corta as vigas de um sicômoro pode não cobri-lo com sujeira. No entanto, ele pode cobri-lo com pedras ou palha. Não se pode cortar um sicômoro virgem no ano sabático, porque é trabalho. O rabino Yehudah diz: Na maneira normal [de cortar] é proibido, mas [ele] pode cortar alto [acima do solo] dez dedos de mão ou derrubá-lo no chão.
Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
לא יחפה – that is split in the dirt, for he would be clearing/improving [the land] through this, for the dust becomes plaster and improves the tree.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Sheviit
Introduction
This mishnah continues to deal with cutting down trees during the Shemitah year.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
באבנים ובקש – for it is like restoring a guard that it should not dry out.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Sheviit
One who cuts down branches of an olive tree, he may not cover up [the stump] with earth, but he may cover it with stones or straw. This section deals with a person who cuts down branches of an olive tree. Covering up the stump with earth would improve the tree by allowing it to rejuvenate. Hence this is prohibited. However, he may cover it up with stones or straw. This would prevent the tree from drying out. Since this work maintains the health of the tree rather than improving the tree, it is permitted.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
בתולת שקמה – [a virgin tree] that was never cut down.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Sheviit
One who cuts down branches of a sycamore tree, he may not cover up [the stump] with earth, but he may cover it with stones or straw. This section teaches the same halakhah with regard to sycamore trees.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
מפני שהיא עבוה – and it improves it with this.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Sheviit
One may not cut down from a virgin sycamore in the seventh year, for this would constitute actual labor. A virgin sycamore is a sycamore from which branches have never been cut down. When one cuts the tree down to its roots it strengthens the tree by making it grow thicker. Since this improves the tree it is forbidden on the sabbatical year. Again, maintenance work is permitted but improving is prohibited.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
כדרכה אסור – that it grows and becomes thicker with this, and it is like pruning the vines.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Sheviit
Rabbi Judah says: in its usual manner, it is forbidden. Rather he either cuts it ten handbreadths above [the soil], or he cuts it down to ground level. Rabbi Judah agrees that to cut down parts of the tree is forbidden, but he holds that if it is cut down in an unusual manner it is permitted. The usual way would be to cut it down to a size of less than ten handbreadths. This is prohibited. There are two unusual ways to cut it down. Either he cuts it down and leaves more than ten handbreadths, or he cuts it down all the way to the ground leaving nothing.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
אלא מגביה עשרה – for it is not the manner ever to cut it other than below ten [handbreadths from the ground]
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Bartenura on Mishnah Sheviit
או גומם מעל הארץ – for it is not the manner to cut it as such. And the Halakha is according to Rabbi Yehuda.
