#231: Climbing Trees (Part 2)
1. We learned yesterday that one may not climb a tree on Shabbat. One who does so is allowed to come down if he or she did so b’shogeg (unintentionally), but not if they climbed b’mezid (intentionally), as a penalty. Shogeg is defined as not realizing the act is forbidden or that the day is Shabbat; thus, one who did not realize that climbing a tree is forbidden may descend. But climbing a tree when one realizes it is forbidden is defined as mezid, and such a person may not descend on Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 336:1).
2. As mentioned yesterday, the issue of an adult climbing a tree intentionally does not arise very often. However, for children above age three, this issue can be relevant at times. Nevertheless, Chazal did not impose the penalty of remaining in the tree on children, and they may descend even if they climbed on purpose. (Chazon Ovadia, vol. 4, Kotzer 12)
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
