(Mishnah - R. Elazar ben Azaryah): They may not construct a new water channel on Chol Hamoed or Sheviis.

Chachamim: They may construct a new water channel in Sheviis.

They may fix the damaged channels on Chol Hamoed (i.e. if dirt fell into them, they may be cleaned out);

They may fix the damaged water sources in public areas;

(Fixing means that) they may clear out the dirt that fell in;

They may fix the highways, the streets and the Mikvaos;

They may carry out all public needs;

They may mark graves and messengers of Beis Din may go out to inspect fields to ascertain whether farmers had planted forbidden mixed species.

(Gemara - question - Mishnah in Sheviis): R. Elazar ben Azaryah prohibits bringing out a small amount of fertilizer (with plans to add more later, lest he not have any more to bring out later, and it will look like he is fertilizing his field), unless he digs and puts it three Tefachim under the ground or raises it three Tefachim; alternatively, he could put it on top of a rock. (Since the location is abnormal, it does not look like he is fertilizing his field.)

There are two understandings of the phrase "a small amount"

Explanation #1: He had a small amount of fertilizer in his house before Sheviis and he wishes to bring it out to his field during Sheviis. He may bring it out and then add to it.

When the problem of sinners stops, R. Elazar ben Azaryah still prohibits it.

Question: What is the reasoning of R. Elazar ben Azaryah? Perhaps he will not find any fertilizer and he will use it to fertilize that place.

R. Elazar B"A follows the opinion of R. Yosi that fertilizer is not common.

Explanation #2: He had a small amount of fertilizer in his field before Sheviis and he wishes to add fertilizer to his field in Sheviis - he may add.

When the problem of sinners stops, R. Elazar ben Azaryah still prohibits it.

Question: What is the reasoning of R. Elazar ben Azaryah? Perhaps he will not find any fertilizer and he will use it to fertilizer that place.

Question: Was it not already fertilized before Sheviis?

Answer (R. Yirmiyah/ R. Bun/ Chiya quoting R. Ba bar Mamal): There is a problem of suspicion, unless he takes out 10 containers together (in which case people will assume that he is making a store for it).

Question: Are the Rabbanan not concerned for suspicion?

Answer (R. Idi of Chutra): His basket and his rake prove that he is making a garbage heap.

R. Yosi bei R. Bun: These two explanations fit into our Mishnah - as the first part of our Mishnah teaches - R. Elazar ben Azaryah says, they may not construct a new water channel on Chol Hamoed or Sheviis.

(Why is it prohibited in Sheviis?) Reason #1 (R. Yirmiyah): When he digs the channel, he removes the earth and tips it along the edges, thereby softening the earth and preparing it for sowing.

Reason #2 (R. Yirmiyah/ R. Bun bar Chiya quoting R. Ba bar Mamal): It is because of suspicion (as it looks like he is hoeing for Sheviis).

They suggested that the opinion that reasons (about the water channel on Sheviis) that it is prohibited because of suspicion, also reasons it here (in the case of fertilizer in Sheviis).

Question: According to the opinion that reasons that it is prohibited to construct a water channel because he prepares the earth for sowing, how would he explain the prohibition in the case of fertilizer?

Answer: It must be in a case where perhaps he will not find fertilizer and will therefore fertilize with it in that place (that he left it).

What is the practical difference between these reasons? If he dug to build the foundations of a building - the earth piled on the sides will not be used for sowing, but nevertheless there is a problem of suspicion.

All agree that if there were stones, pebbles, or types of lime that it is permitted.