Question:
Is there any problem with water dripping from an air conditioning unit onto plants during shemittah?
Introduction:
Although it is generally forbidden to engage in work on plants or fields during shemittah, and watering plants is classified as a melocho (either choresh or zore’a) the Mishna in Mo’ed Koton (2a) clearly writes that it is permitted to irrigate a beis hashlochin (i.e. a field that needs irrigation) during shemittah.
Various Rishonim explain the reason for this dispensation to irrigate a beis hashlochin during shemittah:
• The Ri mi’Lonil, Me’iri and Nemukei Yosef explain that irrigation is not considered a significant melocho. The Aruch Hashulchan also learns this way.
• The Talmidei Ri mi’Paris learn that watering is more lenient because it is not actual involvement in the ground.
• The Ritvo explains that there is relatively little exertion in irrigation.
• The Rambam and Ri’az learn that irrigation is permitted because without it one will incur a loss. This is also the view of the Tiferes Yisroel and Mikdash Dovid.
It is clear from the aforementioned Mishna that the dispensation to water a field during shemittah is specifically said regarding a beis hashlochin (i.e. a field that needs irrigation). However, a beis haba’al (i.e. a field that does not need irrigation and the rain it receives is sufficient) is forbidden to be irrigated during shemittah.
Therefore, a field that requires irrigation can be irrigated during shemittah, to prevent damage to the field or loss of the produce. Rav Nissim Karelitz (Shevi’is Perek 1, 10) maintained that when one waters during shemittah a field that needs irrigation, one is not required to minimise the amount of water that one uses in order to ensure that all the water being used is actually coming to prevent damage or loss to the field or the produce. Rather, it is permitted to water a field that needs irrigation when it is in need of water, without limitation.
However, it is forbidden to water a beis haba’al, i.e. a field that is not in need of irrigation, during shemittah.
Discussion: Regarding water that drains onto plants during shemittah, the Chazon Ish (Shevi’is Siman 19) writes that if a person has no positive interest in the water draining onto the plants, there is no issue to allow water to drain onto plants, because watering the plants is merely a consequence and not the primary intention. (The Chazon Ish deliberates if it is permissible even if one does have interest in the plants being watered, because this is a consequence and not a direct action.)
Rav Elyashiv maintained that one cannot drain water onto plants if one has positive interest in the watering, even if this is a consequence and not his primary intention. However, if a person ensures that the water draining contains an amount of soap or other cleaning agents that will be damaging to the plant growth, it is permitted.
If the water drains onto an area that contains a few wild plants that one has no interest in their existence, and these plants are periodically uprooted, even according to Rav Elyashiv it is permitted and one does not need to add soap to the water, since the consequence of plants growing is clearly an undesired consequence.
Returning to water draining from an air conditioning unit onto plants during shemittah: The consequence of water draining onto plants is clearly only a consequence and not one’s primary intention. Therefore, if one has no positive interest in the consequence it is permitted, and one can operate an air conditioning unit even if water will drip from the unit onto plants, provided that one has no positive benefit in the watering or plant growth.
In a situation where one does have positive interest in the watering or the plant growth, one should redirect the water draining out of the unit so that it drains elsewhere.
Conclusion: Regarding water draining from an air conditioning unit onto plants during shemittah:
It is permitted to operate an air conditioning unit even if it is inevitable that water will drip from the unit onto plants, provided that one has no positive benefit in the watering or plant growth.
In a situation where one does have positive interest in the watering or the plant growth, one should redirect the water draining out of the unit so that it drains elsewhere. If this is impractical, one should consult a Rav. |