Work that also helps the trees left behind
Change the way
Change the time
Change the intention
Thinning an olive grove
old trees give few olives and take the space
He wants the woodfirewood, or building
How may he take a tree out?
Beis ShammaiYes — but leave the stump→ cut it, and leave the stump
Beis HillelYes — even roots and all; clearing three side by side, leave the stumps→ even roots and all
Clearing a patch? Everyone agrees: leave the stumps
Restrictivethat he may only cut level.
Medel — thinningone or two trees
Machlik — clearingthree side by side
→ cut level; no uprooting
In his fellow's field?
MishnahRoots and all, even three side by side→ no one thinks he is clearing a field that isn't his
Sheviis 4:4
Thinning an Olive Grove
הַמֵּדֵל בַּזֵּיתִים
הַמֵּדֵל בַּזֵּיתִים,
בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים, יָגוֹם.
וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים, יְשָׁרֵשׁ.
וּמוֹדִים בְּמַחֲלִיק, עַד שֶׁיָּגוֹם.
אֵיזֶה הוּא הַמֵּדֵל,
אֶחָד אוֹ שְׁנַיִם.
הַמַּחֲלִיק, שְׁלֹשָׁה, זֶה בְצַד זֶה.
בַּמֶּה דְבָרִים אֲמוּרִים, מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁלּוֹ,
אֲבָל מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁל חֲבֵרוֹ, אַף הַמַּחֲלִיק, יְשָׁרֵשׁ: