Dragging Furniture On The Grass (Choreish III)

Making a furrow in the ground is a violation of the prohibition of Choriesh. This would be in line with the definition of Choreish as loosening the soil to make planting easier. This is true even if there is no intention to plant. 

What if the furrow is created by dragging a piece of heavy furniture across the grass? 

This is one of the landmark cases discussed in the Talmud to explain various aspects of shabbat activity.(Beitzah 23b)

ר' יהודה אומר כל הכלים אין נגררין חוץ מן העגלה מפני שהיא כובשת:

Rabbi Yehuda says: No vessels may be dragged on the ground on Shabbat except for a wagon, which is permitted because its wheels do not make a furrow in the ground but merely press the earth down. Since no earth is moved from its place, this is not considered digging or plowing on Shabbat.

רבי שמעון אומר גורר אדם מטה כסא וספסל ובלבד שלא יתכוין לעשות חריץ

Rabbi Shimon says: A person may drag a bed, a chair, or a bench on the ground, provided that he does not intend to make a furrow. 

The Halacha follows Rabbi Shimon, that one is permitted to perform a shabbat activity without the intention to fulfill its normal purpose (Daver She’eino Mitkavein). 

Dragging furniture on the grass on shabbat is an example of a “Davar She’einno Mitkavein”, as the point is not to create the furrow, but to move the furniture, and therefore permitted. Even if there is a possibility that dragging the chair would make a furrow, such an action is permissible. 

In a number of places in the Gemara it is noted that Rabbi Shimon agrees that if it was inevitable that a furrow would be created,  the action would be prohibited. This is called a “Psik Reisha”.

There is a debate as to how to rule in this case. Some understand the Shulchan Aruch to rule that if it is certain that a furrow will be made, then such an activity is prohibited. 

Others consider additional factors. 

If the furrow ruins the lawn / ground, some allow it (even if it will definitely make a furrow) because it is “Lo Nicha Lei”  - not desired. Additionally, the furrow is done by application of two rabbinic (instead of biblical) actions. 

1. The furrow is made in an unusual fashion - using a piece of furniture

2. It ruins the field

The combination of these factors renders the activity permitted.

For more on this see here and here