Halachic Danger Signs

Halachic Danger Signs

The Mishnah in Maaser Sheni lists various visual markers that were placed throughout Eretz Yisrael to alert people to religiously restricted areas. The Gemara (Bava Kama 69a) explains how each marker identified the type of restriction.

RestrictionProhibitionMarkerSimilarityKerem Revai (fourth year vineyard)May be eaten, but only if redeemedClumps of earthOne benefits from earth, but only if workedOrlah (after first three years)All benefit prohibitedShards of tileUseless itemsKevarim (Graves)Makes walker impurePlasterWhite, like bones

The Mishnah continues quoting Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, who limits these markers to the Shmitah year, when all produce is ownerless, and people, therefore, have permission to enter another’s fields. However, in other years, we say “Halitehu l’rasha v’yamos” – feed a wicked person (harmful items) and let him die. If someone is trespassing, we are not concerned with his well-being, and don’t warn him of potential religious hazards.