When vines grow in their natural manner with their branches and their clusters lying on the earth, [the place where they grow] is called a vineyard (kerem). When, however, a person creates something like a bed or a platform raised above the earth so that the clusters and the branches will be extended over it and he lifted up the foliage of the vines from the ground unto that trellis and draped them over it, it is called an aris. The branches and the like from which the trellis or platform was made and upon which the foliage of the vine is draped are called apiperot. Different laws apply to an aris.
When a person plants one row of five or more vines and drapes them over a wall that is ten handbreadths high or the like, or he planted them on the side of a trench1And lowered the branches and the clusters into the trench. that is ten [handbreadths] deep and four [handbreadths] wide, they are [also] classified as an aris. It is necessary to separate from an aris four cubits [before] sowing [other produce], similar to the separation [required in] a vineyard.2Thus the laws governing an aris are more severe than those governing a vineyard. For in a vineyard, it is not necessary to separate more than six handbreadths, because one row is not considered as a vineyard (Chapter 7, Halachah 1).
From where do we measure? From the base of the fence over which he draped them. What is implied? He made a separation of a cubit between the row of vines and the wall. Thus the aris is made from the vines and the wall, he should measure four cubits from the wall and sow.3Generally, a fence creates a distinction and it is not necessary to make a separation on its outside (Chapter 7, Halachah 14). In this instance, however, since the vines are draped over the fence itself, it is considered as part of the aris and a separation is required (Kessef Mishneh).The Ra'avad differs and maintains that a fence always creates a distinction and there is no need to separate on its outer side. The source for the Rambam's ruling is Kilayim 6:1. Significantly, in his Commentary to the Mishnah, the Rambam follows the Ra'avad's approach and maintains that one measures only on the inside of the fence. There he explains that the School of Hillel, whose view is accepted as halachah, maintains that one measures four cubits from the fence. Thus the other crops need only be separated three cubits from the base of the vine.Rav Kappach notes that in a manuscript copy of the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah, Rav Avraham, the Rambam's son, corrected his father's text, based on the ruling here. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh note that the Rambam's change of mind is dependent on his understanding of the treatment of the mishnah in the Jerusalem Talmud. Thus there are five cubits between [the crops] sown and the base of the vines. If he seeks to sow on the side of the vines, he should separate four cubits from the base of the vines. Thus he is five cubits away from the wall. This is the pattern followed when dealing with any aris.
Whether one built the fence and then planted the vines or planted the vines and then built the fence, since he draped [the vines on the fence], it is considered as an aris. If the fence was destroyed4The Radbaz mentions that the fence does not have to be destroyed entirely. As long as its height is reduced below ten handbreadths, the laws of an aris no longer apply. or the trench filled, the aris ceases to exist and the entire row is considered as individual vines.5As stated in Chapter 7, Halachah 1.
🍇 What Is an Aris?
An aris is created when vines are lifted from the ground and draped over a trellis, wall (≥10 handbreadths), or trench (≥10 deep, 4 wide). Unlike a standard vineyard requiring only 6 handbreadths of separation, an aris demands four full cubits before sowing — measured from the base of the wall outward. The fence itself becomes part of the aris; whether built before or after planting, once the vines are draped, the stricter laws apply. If the wall is destroyed, the aris ceases and each row reverts to individual vines.
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Partial Aris — Separated Portions and Enclosed Gardens
When an aris is destroyed6The Radbaz mentions that the fence does not have to be destroyed entirely. As long as its height is reduced below ten handbreadths, the laws of an aris no longer apply. in the middle and there remain five vines on one side of the fence and five vines on the other side of the fence opposite it,7There were two rows of vines separated by a wall over which they were both draped. Thus the wall causes them to be considered as a single entity. The Ra'avad offers a different interpretation of this situation. it is called "separate portions of an aris." If there are eight cubits and one sixtieth of a cubit between them,8As long as there are slightly more than eight cubits between the two rows, they are considered as separate entities and not as a single vineyard, as stated in Chapter 7, Halachah 2. As the Mishnah states (Kilayim 6:6), this is the only instance where an extra amount beyond whole numbers is required. one must separate [only] six handbreadths between each row before sowing, provided he does not sow beneath the trellises as explained.9Chapter 6, Halachah 12.
If there is exactly eight cubits between them, one should not bring seed there. If he did sow [other crops] there, since he separated six handbreadths [from each of the rows of vines], the produce is not hallowed. If there is no fence there,10I.e., it was destroyed entirely or partially. [all that is necessary is to] separate six handbreadths from each row and sow it. For there is no aris, nor the separated portions of an aris. If he went back and rebuilt the fence,11Either partially or to a height of ten handbreadths. the aris is considered to have been renewed or the separated portions of an aris to have been renewed.
[The following laws apply when there is] a small garden that is surrounded by a fence and one draped the vines12I.e., at least five vines. [growing] around it on the outside on all of its walls.13This follows the Rambam's approach (explained in Halachah 3), that a fence over which vines are draped does not act as a separation for them even if they are located outside it. The Ra'avad differs in his gloss to that halachah and differs in this instance as well. [Significantly, in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Ediot 2:4), the Rambam resembles the Ra'avad's interpretation here.] If [the garden] contains the space for a reaper and his basket to stand on one side14The Jerusalem Talmud (Kilayim 6:1) interprets this as being two cubits: one for the reaper and one for his basket. and the space for a reaper and his basket to stand on the other side, one may sow vegetables in it,15He must, however, separate six handbreadths [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 6:2)]. because it is surrounded with a fence. If it is not that large, one may not sow in it, because the entire area appears as one aris with vegetables in it.16Since the space between the two fences is very small, the entire area is considered as a single unit.
🌿 Remnants and Gardens
When an aris is partially destroyed, leaving five vines on each side of a fence more than 8 cubits and 1/60 apart, the result is "separated portions of an aris" — each portion requiring only 6 handbreadths of separation. A small enclosed garden with vines draped on its outer walls may have vegetables sown inside only if it contains enough room for a reaper and his basket on each side (approx. 2 cubits per side); otherwise the entire area is treated as a single aris.
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Special Configurations — Terraces, Corners, and Bent Vines
[The following laws apply when] vines were planted on a terrace and their trellis17I.e., a trellis ten handbreadths high. extends and gives shade over a field. If one can stand on the earth and harvest the entire vine,18I.e., they extend low enough that he can reach them without standing on any support. we consider the entire area under the vine as if it was the base of the vines and forbid a radius of four cubits in the field on every side of the edge of the trellis. If he cannot reap [the grapes] unless he steps on a step or a ladder, it is forbidden only to sow under the trellis itself.19As would be the law if there was only one vine.
When there are two walls perpendicular to each other and vines are planted in the corner between them, the trellis extends outward from the corner and ends [in the midst of the area],20In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 6:7), the Rambam depicts this situation as illustrated. Rabbenu Shimshon and the Ra'avad do not accept his interpretation. one may separate the [required] measure21Six handbreadths [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 6:7)]. from the base of the vines and sow in the place where the trellis ends and there is no aris. Although [the crops] were sowed between two walls between which there is an aris, since he separated the required measure, he may sow [other crops] between the walls.
[The following rule applies when] the trunk of a vine ascended above the ground, then became bent and extended along the earth, and then ascended like a knee. When we measure between the vine and other [crops] six handbreadths or four cubits, we measure only from the end of the portion that rises up and not from the base of the first vine.22In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Kilayim 7:1), the Rambam adds: "If [the original stem] was apparent and obvious that it is the base of the vine that became bent, we measure from the original base."
🏗️ Unusual Forms
When vines on a terrace extend a trellis over a field below, if the entire vine can be harvested from the ground, the full area beneath the trellis is treated as the vine's base — requiring 4 cubits of clearance on every side. If a ladder is needed to harvest, only the area directly beneath the trellis is forbidden. Vines planted in a corner between two walls with an outward-extending trellis: measure separation from the vine's base, and sowing is permitted where the trellis ends. A bent vine that rises, extends along the ground, then rises again is measured from the second ascending portion, not from the original base.
We have already explained23Chapter 6, Halachah 11. that although one makes the required separation between the [other crops] sown and the vine, it is necessary to be careful that the vine will not provide shade for the vegetables, nor may the vegetables provide shade for the vine. If one sowed vegetables or grain and they grew and afterwards draped a vine over them, the straw [of the crops] are permitted,24For they were produced before the vines were introduced (Radbaz; see Chapter 5, Halachah 13). but the grain must be burnt. If the roots of the vine emerged in the four cubits between the vineyard and grain, they must be uprooted. If the roots of the grain emerge within these four cubits, it is permitted.
All of the separations and required measures that are mentioned with regard to kilayim are measured in cubits that are six ample handbreadths.25I.e., that one's fingers are not tightly pressed together, but held in a manner that allows air to pass between them [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Eruvin 1:1)]. See also Hilchot Shabbat 17:36. One should not be constricted in measuring [the forbidden] areas with regard to kilayim. For one should only constrict measurements when being stringent.26See Chapter 7, Halachah 2.
All of the measures in which separations are made between vines and grain or vegetables apply only in Eretz Yisrael27Where the prohibitions against mixed species apply according to Scriptural Law. or in Syria.28Which in certain contexts is considered as Eretz Yisrael (see Hilchot Terumot 1:3-4) and where they apply according to Rabbinic Law. But in the Diaspora, it is permitted to sow [other crops] at the side of vines29Among the vines themselves, however, it is forbidden to sow, even in the Diaspora (Kessef Mishneh). in a vineyard at the outset. In the Diaspora, it was forbidden only to sow two types of vegetables or grain and grape seeds in one handful.If one tells a gentile child30One may not, however, ask a Jewish child to perform such an activity, lest he become habituated to transgression (Shabbat 139a). to sow [such a mixture] for him in the Diaspora, it is permitted.31The Turei Zahav 296:21 rules that even at the outset, it is permitted to ask a gentile child to do this. One should not, however, make such a statement to an adult, lest one also do so with a Jew.
Although it is permitted to sow vegetables at the side of a vineyard in the Diaspora, the vegetable that is sown there is forbidden to be eaten, even in the Diaspora.32The Kessef Mishneh quotes Rabbenu Asher as differing with this ruling and permitting the vegetables to be eaten. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 296:69) follows the Rambam's ruling, while the Rama follows that of Rabbenu Asher. [This applies] provided one sees the owner harvest it and sell it. If, however, one is in doubt whether [the produce comes from there], it is permitted,33The conclusion of the tractate Orlah relates that if vegetables are being sold outside a vineyard in the Diaspora, one may purchase them provided one does not see them being harvested. as we explained in Hilchot Ma'achalot Assurot.34Hilchot Ma'achalot Assurot 10:6-8.
📏 Rules & Reach
Even with proper separation, vines must not shade vegetables nor may vegetables shade vines. If a vine is draped over existing crops, the straw is permitted but the grain must be burned. All kilayim measurements use six ample handbreadths per cubit — always measured leniently (larger) to ensure full separation. These laws apply fully in Eretz Yisrael (Scriptural) and Syria (Rabbinic), but in the Diaspora, sowing beside a vineyard is permitted — though the resulting produce is still forbidden to eat if one witnesses it being harvested there.
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🎓 Key Principles
Chapter 8
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Structure Determines Status Whether vines constitute an aris — and which laws apply — depends entirely on how they are physically arranged relative to walls, trenches, or trellises.
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The Fence Becomes Part of the Vineyard When vines are draped over a wall, the wall itself is absorbed into the aris, requiring a full four-cubit separation measured from the outer base of the fence.
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Geography Governs Severity The full rigors of kilayim separation apply in Eretz Yisrael (by Torah law) and Syria (Rabbinically), while in the Diaspora only mixed sowing in one handful is prohibited.
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Measure Generously to Protect Sanctity Kilayim cubits are always six ample handbreadths — measured broadly — because when defining forbidden zones, one must be expansive rather than constricting.