Hi, 

The third shiur in the Rav's לט מלאכות series will be on the subject of Borer and is starting at 8:30. Below is a short recap of the previous two shiurim in this series. The full shiurim are posted on zntshul.org. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82484152130?pwd=S1dTSWd2cFhqWWViRmhGVUxLU1FwZz09

Part 1: Preparing for Shabbos & Hadlakas Neiros

Preparing for Shabbos is a huge zechus and the more preparations you do beforehand, the better it is. Examples include setting the table early, making challah, and preparing the food. Obviously, you have to make sure not to put too much pressure on yourself or to get too stressed.

We also discussed the halachos of hadlakas neiros. Chazal tell us that hadlakas neiros is a zechus to have banim who are talmidei chachamim. Therefore, hadlakas neiros is an opportune time to daven for בנים תלמידי חכמים. It is a minhag to give tzedakah beforehand. There are different minhagim about how much time before shkia one should light. A lot of us are at the beginning of our married lives and we can establish how we go into Shabbos for the rest of our lives. We have to decide what is practical for us, but it is worthwhile to set a goal, whether its 40 min like minhag Yerushalayim, 30 min, 18, etc.

Women are mekabel Shabbos when they light. If someone needs to drink water, they could drink until shkia.

Part 2: Choresh & Other Outdoor Related Halachos 

Choresh is preparing the ground for planting. You can’t move very heavy things. Pushing a stroller or walking on dirt is not a problem.

Zoreh is planting. You have to be careful when eating fruits so as not to drop the seeds in the garden. You also can’t spill water on a lawn or anywhere something could grow. If the water falls onto a table or driveway and then onto the grass, its ok since it’s indirect. We also discussed various other halachos including hammocks, placing objects on a tree, sitting on a tree stump, and moving flowerpots.

We discussed how included in the לט מלאכות is the איסור of leveling a dirt floor. Chazal forbade sweeping dirt floors, however this doesn’t apply nowadays since our floors are not dirt (unless it’s in a sukkah in which case it’s usually a problem). However, washing the floors is not allowed. If the floor is sticky one is permitted to pour water onto the sticky spot and then put a towel over it.