It is permitted to sow two rows of zucchini next to each other, next to them two rows of squash, next to them two rows of Egyptian beans, [provided] there is a trench¹ writes that the trench must be at least four handbreadths wide. between each species.², sowing them in this manner is permitted, because of the precautions that are taken. For each block of a particular crop appears as a separate field [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 3:4)]. Although in the following halachah, a twelve cubit stretch of each crop is required, that is because one is sowing only one row of the squash. Hence, it does not look like a field of squash and sowing a larger stretch of vegetables is required (Radbaz). One should not, however, sow one row of zucchini, one row of squash, and one row of Egyptian beans, even though there is a trench separating between each species, because the leaves of these species grow long and become extended and tangled. If they are sown one row next to another, everything will become intermingled and it will appear that he sowed [the crops] as a mixture.

footnotes: ¹ Chapter 3, Halachah 12, states that these trenches must be as wide as they are deep. The Aruch HaShulchan ² Although these species are considered as kilayim

If a person's field was planted with types of vegetables and he desired to plant several rows of squash³:6), the Rambam writes that a row of squash is four cubits wide. in it, [he must do the following]: Rip up from the vegetables a place where he will plant a row of squash and separate between it and the vegetables with a trench. He then leaves a twelve cubit section of vegetables and plants a second row of squash, dividing between it and the vegetables with a trench. Similarly, [he should follow this pattern] until [he reaches] the place he desires. Thus there will be twelve cubits between each two rows of squash.⁴ If there is less than this measure, it is forbidden, because the leaves will become tangled with the vegetables between them on either side and it will appear that he sowed [the crops] as a mixture.

footnotes: ³ In his Commentary to the Mishnah (ibid. ⁴ In such an instance, each block of vegetables appears as a separate field, as stated above (Radbaz).The width of the trench is not counted because it does not have a specific measure, nor must it extend over the entire length of the field (Rav Yosef Corcus).

When [a person has] a row of squash sown or even one squash [plant] and desires to plant grain next to it, he must [leave empty a portion] large enough to sow a fourth [of a kav],⁵ for [the squash plants'] leaves have become extended and are considered to have taken possession of a large area.⁶ Any entity, e.g., a grave, a rock,⁷ or the like, that exists within [the area] large enough to sow a fourth [of a kav] that is left empty as a separation between these two species is considered as part of the measure.

footnotes: ⁵ 10 and one fifth cubits by 10 and one fifth cubits. This stringency is required because the laws governing grain are stricter than those governing vegetables. ⁶ The Radbaz notes that in Chapter 3, Halachah 13, the Rambam speaks of making a separation of six handbreadths between grain and squash and here, he requires a much larger figure. He explains that here we are speaking about a situation in which the squash has already grown and its leaves are extended, while there we are speaking of squash that is just beginning to grow. ⁷ I.e., a rock that is less the ten handbreadths high and four handbreadths wide. If it is of the latter size, it alone is considered a sufficient divider, as stated in Chapter 3, Halachah 15.

When a trench or an irrigation ditch are a handbreadth deep,⁸ one may sow three types of plants within them: one on each edge of the trench and one in the middle.⁹

footnotes: ⁸ If they are not this deep, they are considered to be flush with the earth and the leniency mentioned in this halachah does not apply. ⁹ For each type of plant appears distinct.

It is permitted to sow two species in one pit - even zucchini and squash¹⁰ 3:5)]. - provided that one is leaning above one side of the pit and the other leans above the other side and thus they appear separate from each other.¹¹ is the impression created (ibid.). Similarly, if one planted four species in a pit and pointed them to each of the four directions, it is permitted.

footnotes: ¹⁰ Whose leaves spread and become entangled [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim ¹¹ And the foundation of the prohibition of Kilayim

When a person desires to sow his field in many long rows of different species, he should make a separation of two cubits by two cubits [at the beginning of the rows]. He may then continually reduce the width of the empty space until at the end of the rows, there is only the slightest amount of empty space between them. [This is permitted,] because they do not look like they have been sown as a mixture.¹²

footnotes: ¹² I.e., the separation made initially is sufficient to distinguish the crops sown throughout the field.

If a person wants to plant his field in squares¹³ which usually means "bald patch" to refer, not to the area of the field that is left empty, but the area which is planted. of different species, he should not plant more than nine squares in a field large enough to sow a se'ah. Each square should be large enough to sow a quarter of a kav.¹⁴ Thus there will be approximately ten cubits minus a fourth of a cubit between each square, for the area in which a se'ah can be sown is fifty [cubits] by fifty [cubits].

footnotes: ¹³ The Ra'avad notes that the Rambam uses the term karachat ¹⁴ Ten and one fifth cubits, as stated in Chapter 3, Halachah 10.

What is the difference between the terms meishar and karachat?¹⁵ The former is long and the latter is square.

footnotes: ¹⁵ The Hebrew terms used in the two preceding halachot.

[The following principle applies with regard to] species of vegetables that it is not customary for a person to sow in large amounts as we explained.¹⁶ It is permitted to sow even five types of these vegetables in one row that is six handbreadths by six handbreadths, provided he sows four species at the four sides¹⁷ 3:1). of the row and one in the middle, leaving a handbreadth and a half between each species so that they will not derive nurture from each other.¹⁸). The Rambam, however, does not always focus on this point, because he views the impression created of equal significance, as stated at the conclusion of the chapter. One should not, however, sow more than five species [in a row] even if he makes an appropriate separation, because it appears that they are sown as a mixture.

footnotes: ¹⁶ Chapter 1, Halachah 9. ¹⁷ Note the accompanying diagrams, taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim ¹⁸ This is the measure in which plants derive nurture from the earth (ibid.

When does the above apply? To a row planted in a ruin where there are no crops outside it. If, however, a row is planted among other rows [of produce], it is forbidden to sow five [different] species. For if he will sow all four sides of one row and all the sides of the rows around it, everything will appear as a mixture.¹⁹). If he caused the leaves of one row to lean to one side and those of the other row to lean to the other side so they appear distinct [from each other], it is permitted. Similarly, if he makes a trench between each row, it is permitted.²⁰

footnotes: ¹⁹ Even if he does not fill up the borders, it is forbidden as a decree, lest he come to do so (Kessef Mishneh ²⁰ For the trench appears as a distinction.

It is forbidden to sow outside this row without a trench or without leaning [the plants to the side]. [This applies] even opposite the corners of the row in which there are no plants. This is a decree, [enacted] lest one sow the four species in the four corners of the row²¹ and sow other species outside of it, opposite the corners, and thus, everything would appear mixed.

footnotes: ²¹ See the accompanying diagram, taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah.

If the row was six handbreadths by six handbreadths and it had a barrier a handbreadth high and a handbreadth wide around it, it is permitted to sow even eighteen species within it: three on each barrier²² and six in the middle. One must separate a handbreadth and a half between each species. One should not sow a turnip in the midst of the barrier, lest it fill it.²³ He should not sow more than that.²⁴

footnotes: ²² I.e. since the species are sown on the barrier, they are distinct from those sown within the trench. Note the following diagram, taken from the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah. ²³ I.e., lest the turnip grow large and fill up the empty space on the border. ²⁴ For it will be cluttered and appear as a mixture (Radbaz).

It is forbidden to sow different seed plants²⁵ 3:2). in this manner, because they appear as kilayim.²⁶ [More lenient laws apply to] species of vegetables. Since people generally sow only small amounts of them, it is permitted [to sow them in the manner] explained [above].

footnotes: ²⁵ E.g., mustard or smooth peas (Kilayim ²⁶ It is customary to sow larger plots of these crops. Hence if one sows a row of the above size with different species of these crops, it will appear to be a mixture of species.

When there is a barrier a handbreadth wide and one sowed several species in it as we explained,²⁷ if the height of the barrier was reduced,²⁸ it is still acceptable since it was acceptable at the time when it was originally sown.²⁹ 3:2)]. There, however, the Rambam interprets the barrier as referring to a divider between two types of crops, not a barrier around a row.

footnotes: ²⁷ Halachah 12. ²⁸ I.e., some of its earth was taken away. ²⁹ It is, however, forbidden to sow crops on the side of the barrier until its height is restored [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim

When a person desires to fill his entire garden with different types of vegetables without making a separation between them, he should divide the entire garden into square rows, even six handbreadths by six handbreadths. He should then make five circles in every row, four for the four corners and one in the center. He may sow a species [of vegetables] in each circle and one in the center and he may sow four other species in the four corners.³⁰ Thus there are nine species in each row and yet they appear separate from each other. He leaves empty only what is between the circles. This is left fallow so that the circles will appear distinct from the corners and distinct from each other.³¹ If he desires not to leave any empty space at all, he should do the following: If [the crops in] the circles are sown vertically, he should sow [crops in the space left] between them horizontally. If they are sown horizontally, he should sow [in the space] between them vertically so that they will appear distinct from each other.

footnotes: ³⁰ I.e., the area between the circles and the perimeter of the square. ³¹ The Ra'avad objects to this ruling. The Rambam's rationale depends on the principle explained in the following halachah: that when crops appear distinct, we are not concerned that they derive nurture from each other.

From all of the above, the following principles become apparent for you. When there is sufficient space³² between two species so that they will not derive nurture, we are not concerned with the appearance as we explained.³³ And when they appear separate from each other, we are not concerned with the fact that they derive nurture from each other, even if they are next to each other as we just explained.

footnotes: ³² A handbreadth and a half. ³³ Halachah 9.