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DAAT · LEVEL 1 — INTRODUCTION
Siman של"ג · 3 Se'ifim
Not to clear a storehouse (pinui otzar) on Shabbos — to discover and understand
סימן של"ג
שֶׁלֹּא לְפַנּוֹת אוֹצָר בְּשַׁבָּת
🌱 Introduction Level · Beginners
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First approach to Siman של"ג: full Hebrew text of the Mechaber, smooth English translation, pedagogical explanations of the halachic concepts, modern practical cases and synthesis.
Topic: Pinui otzar (clearing a storehouse) on Shabbos
Source: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim Siman 333 (3 se'ifim)
Compiled by: Rav Yossef Chaim Samama
DAAT · daattorah.com
📑 Study plan
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch — the 3 se'ifim of the Mechaber
2. The general context
3. The key halachic concepts
4. Detail of the se'ifim
5. The Mishnah Berurah
6. The Rema's position
7. Modern practical cases
8. Practical synthesis
9. Comprehension questions
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch
Siman של"ג contains 3 se'ifim of the Mechaber (Rabbi Yosef Karo) which codify the halachos relating to pinui otzar — not clearing a storehouse on Shabbos.
Se'if 1
שלא לפנות אוצר בשבת. ובו ג סעיפים:
אוצר של תבואה או של כדי יין אע"פ שמותר להסתפק ממנו אסור להתחיל בו לפנותו אלא לדבר מצוה כגון שפינהו להכנסת אורחים או לקבוע בו בית המדרש וכיצד מפנהו אם היה האוצר גדול מפנה ממנה חמשה קופות (שבכל קופה שלש סאים) (הגהות מרדכי ור"ן פרק מפנין) לא היה בו אלא חמשה קופות מפנה מהם ארבעה אבל כולו לא יפנה שמא יבא להשוות גומות: הגה וכל שבות שהתירו משום צורך מצוה מותר ג"כ לצורך אורחים ולא מקרי אורחים אלא שנתארחו אצלו בביתו או שזימן אורחים שנתארחו אצל אחרים (תרומת הדשן סי' ע"ב) אבל כשזימן חבירו לסעוד אצלו לא מקרי אורחים ואינה סעודת מצוה רק סעודת רשות:
Translation: a storehouse (otzar) of grain or of wine jugs — although it is permitted to draw from it [for one's needs], it is forbidden to begin to clear it [entirely], except for a mitzvah need — for example clearing it to receive guests (orchim), or to set up a beis midrash there. And how does one clear it? If the storehouse is large, one removes five baskets (of three se'ah each); if there were only five baskets, one removes four; but one does not clear it entirely, lest one come to level depressions in the ground. (Rema: every shevus that was permitted for a mitzvah need is also permitted for guests; and "guests" are only those who lodge with him or those he invited who lodge with others — but one who invites a friend to eat at his home is not "guests," and that is not a mitzvah meal but a permissible (reshus) meal.)
Se'if 2
כשמפנה אלו ארבעה או חמשה קופות לא יחלקם בקופות קטנות להוליכם בהרבה פעמים כדי להקל המשאוי מפני שמרבה בהילוך ואוושא מילתא טפי:
Translation: when one clears these four or five baskets, one does not divide them into small baskets to carry them in many trips in order to lighten the load — because one multiplies the walking and that makes more noise (אוושא מילתא — the act draws attention, which does not befit Shabbos).
Se'if 3
אלו ד' או ה' קופות שמפנה היינו לאורח א' ואם באו לו הרבה מפנה כשיעור הזה לכל אורח ואורח ובלבד שלא יפנה א' לכולם דאיכא טירחא יתירא אלא כל א' יפנה לעצמו או אחר יפנה בעדו: הגה חביות של יין שהובאו על עגלה אסור להורידן בשבת אם לא לכבוד אורחים או לצורך מצוה דהוי כמפנה האוצר (א"ז):
Translation: these four or five baskets that one clears, it is for one guest; and if many guests have come, one clears this measure for each guest — on condition that one person should not clear them all, because there would be excessive effort; but each one clears for himself, or another clears for him. (Rema: wine barrels brought on a wagon — it is forbidden to unload them on Shabbos, except in honor of guests or for a mitzvah need, because it is equivalent to clearing the storehouse.)
Full text: these 3 se'ifim constitute the entire codification of the Mechaber on this subject.
2. The general context
What is this siman about?
Siman של"ג, very brief, deals with the clearing of a storehouse (otzar) on Shabbos — a warehouse of grain or wine jugs. The starting point is paradoxical: one has every right to draw from it what one needs (the contents are not muktzeh), but one does not have the right to clear it systematically, like a tidying chore.
The tension of the siman: clearing a storehouse is not a melachah — but it is a weekday effort (tircha, uvdin d'chol), and it risks leading to leveling the depressions of the exposed ground (tolada of boneh/choresh). Hence the rule: we don't clear — except for a mitzvah, and then by limited measure.
Place in Hilchos Shabbos
Siman של"ג concludes the block of simanim on "efforts" of Shabbos and introduces the great siman של"ד (the fire) — where the question of saving property and moving objects becomes central.
3. The key halachic concepts
Four concepts structure the 3 se'ifim:
Key concepts of Siman של"ג:
- שמא ישווה גומות — "lest one level the depressions" of the exposed ground: this is the underlying reason for the prohibition (tolada of boneh).
- צורך מצוה — the mitzvah need (guests, beis midrash) lifts the prohibition, but by limited measure.
- טרחה יתרה / עובדין דחול — excessive effort and weekday appearance: what makes complete clearing inappropriate on Shabbos.
- אוושא מילתא — "the matter makes noise": multiplying the trips draws attention and does not befit Shabbos.
The master question: "why are we clearing, and how far?" — for a mitzvah: permitted, but five baskets at most, without clearing entirely (depressions), without fragmenting the loads (noise). For mere convenience: forbidden.
4. Detail of the se'ifim
| Se'if | Topic | Halachah |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clearing the storehouse | Forbidden, except for mitzvah; then 5 baskets, never entirely |
| 2 | Manner of carrying | No fragmenting into small baskets (אוושא מילתא) |
| 3 | Multiple guests | The measure per guest; not one person for everything |
Reading method: for each se'if — (1) is there a mitzvah need; (2) what quantity; (3) does the manner avoid excessive effort and noise; (4) conclusion.
5. The Mishnah Berurah — first entries
The Mishnah Berurah of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chofetz Chaim) has 11 entries on this siman. Here are the first ones:
משנה ברורה (א) — (א) שמותר להסתפק ממנו - למאכלו ולמאכל בהמתו שאינו מוקצה דקי"ל כר"ש דלית ליה מוקצה אלא בגרוגרות וצמוקים שהניח ליבשן משום דדחינהו בידים ולא חזיין עד שיתייבשו וכמ"ש בסי' ש"י ס"ב מ"מ אם אינו רוצה להסתפק ממנו אלא להתחיל בו לפנותו אסור לעשות כן לדבר הרשות והטעם משום טרחא או משום עובדין דחול:
משנה ברורה (ב) — (ב) אסור להתחיל וכו' - היינו אפילו פחות מד' וה' קופות ומשמע דאם התחיל מע"ש שרי לפנותו בשבת פחות מד' וה' קופות אף לדבר הרשות:
משנה ברורה (ג) — (ג) לפנותו - אבל מותר לעשות שביל ברגליו לכאן ולכאן דרך הליכתו ויציאתו דזה לא הוי בכלל פינוי:
The Mishnah Berurah clarifies three points. (1) The content of the storehouse is not muktzeh — following Rabbi Shimon's view: one may draw from it freely for oneself and one's animals. (2) The prohibition of "beginning to clear" applies even to less than 4-5 baskets; but if one started before Shabbos, one can continue on Shabbos (under the measure) even for permissive use. (3) Making a simple path with one's feet by passing is not considered "clearing."
For the full text: Mishnah Berurah 333.
6. The Rema's position
The Rema adds two glosses:
The Rema's hagahos:
- Se'if 1: every shevus permitted for a mitzvah is also permitted for guests; but "guests" designates those who lodge at one's home (or those one has invited who lodge elsewhere) — not a simple meal invitee, which is only a "permissive meal."
- Se'if 3: wine barrels brought on a wagon — forbidden to unload on Shabbos, except for guests or a mitzvah, because it is like clearing a storehouse.
7. Modern practical cases
| Situation | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Tidying / clearing a storage room, a closet | For mere convenience: to avoid on Shabbos (weekday effort). To receive guests: permitted, by limited measure (se'if 1). |
| Drawing from the storage for the needs of the day | Permitted — the content is not muktzeh; only systematic clearing is at issue. |
| Unloading a delivery arrived on Shabbos | Forbidden to unload boxes/barrels, except for guests or a mitzvah (se'if 3 + Rema). |
| Making space for a class, a service | Mitzvah need: permitted, without clearing entirely (ground depressions) and without multiplying trips. |
For halachah l'maaseh, consult your Rav — especially for the definition of "guests" and the limit of five baskets applied to modern situations.
8. Practical synthesis
The Siman של"ג in 4 rules:
- Drawing yes, clearing no — one takes what one needs, one does not clear the storehouse for convenience.
- For a mitzvah (guests, beis midrash) — permitted, but five baskets at most, never entirely (ground depressions).
- Without fragmenting the loads — multiplying trips makes noise (אוושא מילתא).
- Not one person for everything — that would be excessive effort; each clears his share.
9. Comprehension questions
Check your understanding:
- Why can one draw from a storehouse but not clear it entirely?
- What is the underlying fear — what might one come to do (se'if 1)?
- In what cases is clearing permitted, and up to what measure?
- Why does one not fragment the load into small baskets (se'if 2)?
- Who is a "guest" according to the Rema, and who is not?
- Why can one person not clear everything (se'if 3)?
To go further
If you want to deepen this siman:
- 📚 Level 2 — Lamdan: for pilpul, the shitos of the Rishonim, foundational chakiros, and Acharonic nuances
- ✨ Level 3 — Synthesis: for quick review and memorization with mnemonics
- 📜 Level 4 — Daas HaRav: the shitah of the Alter Rebbe (Shulchan Aruch HaRav siman של"ג)