What about leaning on a tree?

In the previous shiur we discussed the issue of climbing trees on Shabbos and we learnt that climbing trees on Shabbos is rabbinically prohibited.[1] In certain cases, leaning on a tree on Shabbos is similarly prohibited:

• It is ossur to lean heavily on a tree because that is called using the tree. [2]
• A strong, healthy person may lean lightly on a sturdy tree, making sure that the tree does not move.
• A weak person who needs to lean may not lean on a tree. [3]

The difference arises because a healthy person does not need to lean heavily on a tree in order to support himself whereas a weak, frail person does. In the latter case it is called ‘using the tree’.

May one hang a coat on a peg fixed to a tree?

We learnt in the previous shiur that it is prohibited to hang or place anything on a tree on Shabbos. Chazal also prohibited using an item hanging or leaning on a tree, as an extension of the g’zeira. This section is called öããéï, which literally means sides. [4]

Accordingly it is forbidden to hang a coat on a peg fixed to a tree because the peg is called öããéï – an attachment to the tree, and one may not use öããéï.

• Likewise, one may not climb a ladder leaning on a tree;
• One may not place an item in a basket hanging from a branch, as the basket is öããéï.
• One may not swing on a swing hanging from a branch.
• One may not place an item in a coat pocket hanging from a tree, or remove something from that coat.

May one lie in a hammock tied between trees?

Accordingly, one may not swing in a hammock tied between two trees or between a tree and a wall because the hammock is tied to the tree and is öããéï.

What if the hammock is tied to a peg, which is fixed to the tree?

One step away from öããéï is called öãé öããéï, or in other words, it is two steps away from the tree. This section was not prohibited by Chazal and one my use öãé öããéï. Accordingly,

• One may place an item into a pocket of a coat hanging on a peg that is fixed to  a tree. The peg is öããéï and the coat is öãé öããéï. The coat however may not be removed from the peg because then one would be using the peg.
• One may swing on a swing tied to a pole that is tied between two branches or two trees. However, if the tree moves on account of one sitting on the swing one may not do so, as that is called using the tree. [5]
• One may place fruit into a basket tied to a pole or peg that is fixed to the tree. The basket is öãé öããéï.

                         

To summarize: Using the tree itself is ossur. Using öããéï is ossur. Using öãé öããéï is permitted provided that the tree does not move when doing so.

What happens if a ball gets stuck in a tree, may one retrieve it?

Removing something from a tree has the same law as using the tree and is forbidden. We learned that one may not remove a shofar from a tree on Rosh Hashanah, even though an entire congregation will forfeit the mitzvah of hearing the shofar. Therefore if a ball got stuck in a tree on Shabbos it may not be removed from the tree.