Halacha Challenge
On a Shabbos afternoon, Rivky’s friend Sari came over to her house to play. “I have a small present for you, Rivky” said Sari as she walked into the house. Rivky looked with excitement at Sari and saw how she pulled out two beautiful oranges out of a bag. “They look saw delicious,” said Rivky. “Let’s go in my garden and eat them there. It will be a nice oneg Shabbos.” Sari surely agreed to Rivky’s plan and the girls went to the garden. After sitting down on a little rug that was spread over the grass in that garden they began peeling the oranges. “Rivky, what should we do with the orange seeds?” asked Sari. “Oh, just put them on the grass,” said Rivky.
Sari thought for a second and said, “But the seeds can grow into orange trees! Sowing is one of the 39 melachos of Shabbos!”
Question: May the seeds be put on the ground of Rivky’s garden?
Hints & Answers
HALACHA CHALLENGE: If the soil is moist or if it’s a rainfall season, then it’s not allowed to put fruit seeds (or any other seeds that can sprout) on a ground in a garden on Shabbos (unless it’s a place that people continually walk upon or it’s a place where animals/birds will eat the seeds before they get a chance to sprout.) [source: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 336:4, Mishna Berura 336:31, Shevisas Hashabbos Zore’ah 5]
