39 MELACHOT
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