39 MELACHOT

PLANTING

• Definition: Promotion of plant growth.

PLOWING

• Definition: Promotion of substrate in readiness for plant growth, be it soil, water for hydroponics, etc.

REAPING

• Definition: Severing a plant from its source of growth.

GATHERING

• Definition: Initial gathering of earth-borne material in its original place.

THRESHING/EXTRACTION

• Definition: Removal of an undesirable outer from a desirable inner.

WINNOWING

• Definition according to the Babylonian Talmud: Sorting undesirable from desirable via the force of air. According to the Jerusalem Talmud: dispersal via the force of air.

SORTING/PURIFICATION

• Definition: Removal of undesirable from desirable from a mixture of types.

GRINDING

• Definition: Reducing an earth-borne thing's size for a productive purpose.

SIFTING

• Definition: Sorting desirable from undesirable by means of a utensil (designed for sifting or sorting).

KNEADING/AMALGAMATION

• Definition: Combining particles into a semi-solid or solid mass via liquid.

COOKING/BAKING

• Definition for solids: Changing the properties of something via heat. Liquids: Bringing a liquid's temperature to the heat threshold. 'Heat' for these purposes is at the threshold known as "Yad Soledet" (lit. Hand [by reflex] draws back [due to such heat]) which according to the Igrot Moshe (Rabbi Moshe Finestein) is = 43.3°C / 110°F.

THE ORDER OF GARMENTS

SHEARING

• Definition: Severing/uprooting any body-part of a creature.

SCOURING/LAUNDERING

• Definition: Cleansing absorbent materials of absorbed/ingrained impurities.

CARDING/COMBING WOOL

• Definition: Separating/disentangling fibres.

DYEING

• Definition: Coloring/enriching the color of any material or substance.

SPINNING

• Definition: Twisting fibres into a thread or twining strands into a yarn.

WARPING

• Definition: Creating the first form for the purpose of weaving.

MAKING TWO LOOPS/THREADING HEDDLES

• Definition: Forming loops for the purpose of weaving or the making of net like materials. This is also the threading of two heddles on a loom to allow a 'shed' for the shuttlecock to pass through. According to the Rambam it is the making of net-like materials.

WEAVING

• Definition: Form fabric (or a fabric item) by interlacing long threads passing in one direction with others at a right angle to them.

SEPARATING TWO THREADS

• Definition: Removing/cutting fibres from their frame, loom or place.

TYING

• Definition: Binding two pliant objects in a skilled or permanent manner via twisting.

UNTYING

• Definition: The undoing of any Koshair or Toveh (see above) binding.

SEWING

• Definition: Combining separate objects into a single entity, whether through sewing, gluing, stapling, welding, dry mounting, etc.

TEARING

• Definition: Ripping an object in two or undoing any Tofair (see above) connection.

THE ORDER OF HIDES

TRAPPING

• Definition: Forcible confinement of any living creature.

SLAUGHTERING

• Definition: Ending the life of a creature, whether through slaughter or any other method.

FLAYING/SKINNING

• Definition: Removing the hide from the body of a dead animal.

CURING/PRESERVING

• Definition: Preserving any item to prevent spoiling.

SMOOTHING

• Definition: Scraping/sanding a surface to achieve smoothness.

SCORING

• Definition: Scoring/drawing a cutting guideline.

MEASURED CUTTING

• Definition: Cutting any object to a specific size.

THE ORDER OF CONSTRUCTION

WRITING

• Definition: Writing/forming a meaningful character or design.

ERASING

• Definition: Cleaning/preparing a surface to render it suitable for writing.

BUILDING

• Definition: Contributing to the forming of any permanent structure.

DEMOLITION

• Definition: Demolishing for any constructive purpose.

EXTINGUISHING A FIRE

IGNITING A FIRE

• Definition: Igniting, fueling or spreading a fire/flame.

APPLYING THE FINISHING TOUCH

• Definition: Any initial act of completion.

TRANSFERRING BETWEEN DOMAINS