G. Crops - Zeraim
"In the seventh book I will include commandments that apply
to crops, such as the sabbatical year and Jubilee, tithes
and priestly offerings, and other commandments that are
included with them involving similar matters. And I have
called this book the Book of Crops."
34. Mixtures - Kilayim
a) Mixtures of Plants
It is forbidden to plant two types of crops (that
are used for human food) together or to graft one
type of plant on another, as it says "You shall not
plant your field with a mixture".1 The
prohibition of planting applies only in the land of Israel.
Different types of crops must be separated far enough
that they either appear separate or do not draw
nourishment from one another.a
It is forbidden to plant any crop (other than a
tree) near a vine, and there is a special prohibition
against planting a mixture of two crops near a vine,
as it says "You shall not plant your vineyard with a
mixture"2; this latter prohibition
applies rabbinically even outside the land of Israel. If one does
so it is forbidden to derive benefit from them, as
it says "Lest the increase of the seed that you have
planted and the crop of the vineyard become holy".2,b
b) Mixtures of Animals
It is forbidden to cross-breed two types of
animals, as it says "You shall not breed your animal
as a mixture".1 It is forbidden to do work with two
types of animals together, as it says "You shall not
plow with an ox and an ass together"3; but unless
they are land animals, one of them permissible to
eat and the other forbidden, this prohibition is only
rabbinical. Breeding or working with a sacred animal that has
become unfit is also forbidden since it is like a
mixture of sacred and profane.c
c) Mixtures in Clothing
It is forbidden to wear a mixture of wool and
linen, as it says "You shall not wear a mixture of
wool and linen together",4 and it says "And a garment
made of a mixture shall not go upon you".1,d
Sources: |
| 1. Lev. 19:19 |
a. 1:1,4-5; 4:16 |
| 2. Deut. 22:9 |
b. 5:1,3-6,7; 8:13-14 |
| 3. Deut. 22:10 |
c. 9:1,7-8,10-11 |
| 4. Deut. 22:11 |
d. 10:1 |