The 39 melachos
Learn about each melacha.
Browse clear introductions to what each melacha means and where it can appear in contemporary life. Practical details remain subject to qualified rabbinic guidance.
01Learn
Zoreia
Planting
Field to food02Learn
Choresh
Plowing
Field to food03Learn
Kotzer
Reaping
Field to food04Learn
Me'amer
Gathering
Field to food05Learn
Dash
Threshing
Field to food06Learn
Zoreh
Winnowing
Field to food07Learn
Borer
Selecting
Field to food08Learn
Tochen
Grinding
Field to food09Learn
Meraked
Sifting
Field to food10Learn
Lash
Kneading
Field to food11Learn
Bishul / Ofeh
Cooking
Field to food12Learn
Gozez
Shearing
Fabric and clothing13Learn
Melaben
Laundering
Fabric and clothing14Learn
Menapetz
Combing
Fabric and clothing15Learn
Tzoveia
Dyeing
Fabric and clothing16Learn
Toveh
Spinning
Fabric and clothing17Learn
Meisach
Warping
Fabric and clothing18Learn
Oseh Shtei Batei Nirin
Making loops
Fabric and clothing19Learn
Oreg
Weaving
Fabric and clothing20Learn
Potzeia
Separating threads
Fabric and clothing21Learn
Kosheir
Tying
Fabric and clothing22Learn
Matir
Untying
Fabric and clothing23Learn
Tofeir
Sewing
Fabric and clothing24Learn
Koreia
Tearing
Fabric and clothing25Learn
Tzad
Trapping
Hides and parchment26Learn
Shochet
Slaughtering
Hides and parchment27Learn
Mafshit
Skinning
Hides and parchment28Learn
Me'abeid
Tanning
Hides and parchment29Learn
Memachek
Smoothing
Hides and parchment30Learn
Mesarteit
Scoring
Hides and parchment31Learn
Mechatech
Measured cutting
Hides and parchment32Learn
Koteiv
Writing
Words and structure33Learn
Mocheik
Erasing
Words and structure34Learn
Boneh
Building
Words and structure35Learn
Soteir
Demolishing
Words and structure36Learn
Mechabeh
Extinguishing
Fire and completion37Learn
Mav'ir
Kindling
Fire and completion38Learn
Makeh B'patish
Final touch
Fire and completion39Learn
Hotza'ah