HALACHA ILLUSTRATED

by Harav Mordechai Fleisher

Every Shabbos afternoon, there's a shiur for the women in the Kayitz Vachoref Bungalow Colony. And every Shabbos, Mordy Mesader makes sure that everything is ready for the shiur. This usually means making sure that the gazebo where the shiur takes place is cleared of clutter, that there's some water and cups if someone wants a drink, that the table is clean, and the like.

This week, Mordy notices that the table and benches usually used for the shiur have been moved to the edge of the gazebo. Well, Mordy has a job to do, and he begins schlepping the bench across the tiled gazebo floor.

Just then, Rabbi Chochomski walks by, and, upon seeing Mordy panting as he shleps the bench, he hurries over. “Mordy,” he says, "it's so kind of you to make sure that the shiur is set up, week in and week out. Hashem should reward you for your dedication! However, schlepping the bench is a bit much. It's really very heavy!"

"It's my pleasure, Rabbi Chochomski," says Mordy with a smile. "It's my mitzvah! Lifum tzaara agra!"

Rabbi Chochomski smiles. "You're right Mordy! But I still think you shouldn't be schlepping the bench, as it may be a halachic issue!"

What does Rabbi Chochomski mean?

One may not drag a heavy item across a floor on Shabbos, since it will create a ditch in the ground. If the floor is meant for living purposes (and not for growing things), such as indoors or even in a gazebo, it is forbidden even if the floor is tiled and no furrow will be created, since this could lead one to dragging a heavy item across an earthen floor. (השואת קרקע (בונה), הגדרת האיסור, פרק ב', סימן א, סעיף א', דוגמא 2)