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- ב"ה - Today in Judaism - Today is Friday, 21 Cheshvan, 5778 · November 10, 2017 - Candle LightingLight Candles before sunset ––:––
Daily Quote: He redeemed my soul with peace, from the battle that came upon me; for many were with me(Psalms 55:19)
Daily Torah Study:
Chumash: Chayei Sarah, 6th Portion Genesis 25:1-25:11 with Rashi
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Genesis Chapter 25
1And Abraham took another wife and her name was Keturah. אוַיֹּ֧סֶף אַבְרָהָ֛ם וַיִּקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה וּשְׁמָ֥הּ קְטוּרָֽה:
Keturah: (Gen. Rabbah 61:4) This is Hagar. She was called Keturah because her deeds were as beautiful as incense (קְטֹרֶת), and because she tied (קָטְרָה, the Aramaic for“tied”) her opening, for she was not intimate with any man from the day she separated from Abraham.
קטורה: זו הגר, ונקראת קטורה על שם שנאים מעשיה כקטרת ושקשרה פתחה שלא נזדווגה לאדם מיום שפרשה מאברהם:
2And she bore him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Jishbak and Shuah. בוַתֵּ֣לֶד ל֗וֹ אֶת־זִמְרָן֙ וְאֶת־יָקְשָׁ֔ן וְאֶת־מְדָ֖ן וְאֶת־מִדְיָ֑ן וְאֶת־יִשְׁבָּ֖ק וְאֶת־שֽׁוּחַ:
3And Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan, and the sons of Dedan were Ashurim, Letushim, and Leumim. גוְיָקְשָׁ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת־שְׁבָ֖א וְאֶת־דְּדָ֑ן וּבְנֵ֣י דְדָ֗ן הָי֛וּ אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ם וּלְאֻמִּֽים:
Ashurim and Letushim: the names of the heads of nations (Gen. Rabbah 61:5). But I cannot reconcile the translation of Onkelos with the language of the verse [who translated אַשּׁוּרִם as לְמַשִׁירְיָן, meaning “camps.” And if you say that it is not so, because the “aleph” is not part of the root, we do have words that do not commence with an “aleph,” yet are prefixed with an“aleph.” For example (Amos 7:7): חוֹמַת אִנָ (a wall made by a plumbline), which is derived from [the same root as] (II Sam. 4:4) נְכֵה רַגְלָיִם (“lame in his feet”); and like (II Kings 4:2) אָסוּ שֶׁמֶן (“a jug of oil”), which is derived from [the same root as] (Ruth 3:3) וְרָחַצְתּ ָוָסַכְתָּ (“and you shall bathe and anoint yourself”).
אשורם ולטושם: שם ראשי אומות. ותרגום של אונקלוס אין לי לישבו על לשון המקרא. שפירש למשירין, לשון מחנה. ואם תאמר שאינו כן מפני האל"ף שאינה יסודית, הרי לנו תיבות שאין בראשם אל"ף ונתוספה אל"ף בראשם, כמו (עמוס ז ז) חומת אנך, שהוא מן (שמואל ב' ד ד) נכה רגלים, וכמו (מלכים ב' ד ב) אסוך שמן שהוא מן (רות ג ג) ורחצת וסכת:
and Letushim: They are tent dwellers who spread hither and thither, and travel each in “his palatial tents,” (using the expression from Dan. 11:45), and so Scripture states (I Sam. 30:16):“and behold, they are scattered (נְטֻשִׁים) over the entire earth,” for “lammed” and “nun” are interchangeable.]
ולטושים: הם בעלי אהלים המתפזרים אנה ואנה ונוסעים איש באהלי אפדנו, וכן הוא אומר (ש"א ל טז) והנה נטושים על פני כל הארץ, שכן למ"ד ונו"ן מתחלפות זו בזו:
4And the sons of Midian [were] Ephah and Epher and Enoch and Abida and Elda'ah; all these were the sons of Keturah. דוּבְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עֵיפָ֤ה וָעֵ֨פֶר֙ וַֽחֲנֹ֔ךְ וַֽאֲבִידָ֖ע וְאֶלְדָּעָ֑ה כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י קְטוּרָֽה:
5And Abraham gave all that he possessed to Isaac. הוַיִּתֵּ֧ן אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֖וֹ לְיִצְחָֽק:
And Abraham gave, etc.: (Gen. Rabbah 61:6) R. Nechemiah said: He gave him a permanent blessing, for the Holy One, blessed be He, had said to Abraham (above 12:2)“ and you shall be a blessing,” i.e., the blessings are delivered into your hand to bless whomever you wish. And Abraham gave them over to Isaac. — [Mid. Ps. 1:5]
ויתן אברהם וגו': אמר ר' נחמיה ברכה דיאתיקי, שאמר לו הקב"ה לאברהם (לעיל יב ב) והיה ברכה, הברכות מסורות בידך לברך את מי שתרצה, ואברהם מסרם ליצחק:
6And to the sons of Abraham's concubines, Abraham gave gifts, and he sent them away from his son Isaac while he [Abraham] was still alive, eastward to the land of the East. ווְלִבְנֵ֤י הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם נָתַ֥ן אַבְרָהָ֖ם מַתָּנֹ֑ת וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֞ם מֵעַ֨ל יִצְחָ֤ק בְּנוֹ֙ בְּעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ חַ֔י קֵ֖דְמָה אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ קֶֽדֶם:
concubines: (Gen. Rabbah 61:4) This [the word [פִּילַגְשִׁם] is spelled defectively [missing the letter “yud”], because there was only one concubine. That was Hagar, who was identical with Keturah. [The“yud,” denoting the plural, is absent, hence Rashi understands that the word פִּילַגְשִׁם denotes the singular. In our Torah scrolls, the plene spelling appears.] Wives are those who have a marriage contract, whereas concubines have no marriage contract, as is explained in Sanhedrin (21a) regarding David’s wives and concubines.
הפילגשים: חסר כתיב, שלא היתה אלא פלגש אחת, היא הגר היא קטורה. נשים בכתובה, פילגשים בלא כתובה, כדאמרינן בסנהדרין (כא א) בנשים ופילגשים דדוד:
Abraham gave gifts: Our Sages explained that he gave them “the name of impurity” (Sanh. 91a). Another explanation: All that was given to him because of Sarah and the other gifts that were given to him, all these he gave to them, for he did not wish to benefit from them.
נתן אברהם מתנות: פירשו רבותינו שם טומאה מסר להם. דבר אחר מה שניתן לו על אודות שרה ושאר מתנות שנתנו לו, הכל נתן להם שלא רצה ליהנות מהם:
7And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life that he lived: one hundred years and seventy years and five years. זוְאֵ֗לֶּה יְמֵ֛י שְׁנֵֽי־חַיֵּ֥י אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־חָ֑י מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְחָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים:
one hundred years and seventy years and five years: When he was one hundred years old, he was as one who is seventy years old, and when he was seventy years old, he was as one who is five years old, without sin.
מאת שנה ושבעים שנה וחמש שנים: בן מאה כבן שבעים, ובן שבעים כבן חמש בלא חטא:
8And Abraham expired and died in a good old age, old and satisfied, and he was gathered to his people. חוַיִּגְוַ֨ע וַיָּ֧מָת אַבְרָהָ֛ם בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טוֹבָ֖ה זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו:
9And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the Cave of Machpelah in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which faces Mamre, טוַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ אֹת֜וֹ יִצְחָ֤ק וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ בָּנָ֔יו אֶל־מְעָרַ֖ת הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֑ה אֶל־שְׂדֵ֞ה עֶפְרֹ֤ן בֶּן־צֹ֨חַר֙ הַֽחִתִּ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י מַמְרֵֽא:
Isaac and Ishmael: (Gen. Rabbah 30:4, 38:12) From here [we may deduce] that Ishmael repented and let Isaac go before him, and that is the meaning of “a good old age” which is stated regarding Abraham (above 15:15). - [B.B. 16b]
יצחק וישמעאל: מכאן שעשה ישמעאל תשובה והוליך את יצחק לפניו, והיא שיבה טובה שנאמר באברהם:
10The field that Abraham had bought from the sons of Heth there Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried. יהַשָּׂדֶ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־קָנָ֥ה אַבְרָהָ֖ם מֵאֵ֣ת בְּנֵי־חֵ֑ת שָׁ֛מָּה קֻבַּ֥ר אַבְרָהָ֖ם וְשָׂרָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ:
11Now it came to pass after Abraham's death, that God blessed his son Isaac, and Isaac dwelt near Be'er Lachai Ro'i. יאוַיְהִ֗י אַֽחֲרֵי֙ מ֣וֹת אַבְרָהָ֔ם וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב יִצְחָ֔ק עִם־בְּאֵ֥ר לַחַ֖י רֹאִֽי:
Now it came to pass after Abraham’s death, that God blessed, etc.: He consoled him with the consolations of the mourners (Sotah 14b). Another explanation: Even though the Holy One, blessed be He, delivered the blessings to Abraham, he was afraid to bless Isaac because he foresaw Esau emanating from him. So he said,“May the Master of blessings come and bless whomever He pleases.” And the Holy One, blessed be He, came and blessed him. - [Tan. Lech Lecha 4]
ויהי אחרי מות אברהם ויברך וגו': נחמו תנחומי אבלים. דבר אחר אף על פי שמסר הקדוש ברוך הוא את הברכות לאברהם, נתיירא לברך את יצחק מפני שצפה את עשו יוצא ממנו, אמר יבא בעל הברכות ויברך את אשר ייטב בעיניו ובא הקדוש ברוך הוא וברכו:
Tehillim: Psalms Chapters 104 - 105• Hebrew text
• English text
Chapter 104
This psalm tells of the beauty of creation, describing that which was created on each of the six days of creation. It proclaims the awesomeness of God Who sustains it all-from the horns of the wild ox to the eggs of the louse.
1. My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God, You are greatly exalted; You have garbed Yourself with majesty and splendor.
2. You enwrap [Yourself] with light as with a garment; You spread the heavens as a curtain.
3. He roofs His heavens with water; He makes the clouds His chariot, He moves [them] on the wings of the wind.
4. He makes the winds His messengers, the blazing fire His servants.
5. He established the earth on its foundations, that it shall never falter.
6. The depths covered it as a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At Your exhortation they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they rushed away.
8. They ascended mountains, they flowed down valleys, to the place which You have assigned for them.
9. You set a boundary which they may not cross, so that they should not return to engulf the earth.
10. He sends forth springs into streams; they flow between the mountains.
11. They give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild animals quench their thirst.
12. The birds of the heavens dwell beside them; they raise their voice from among the foliage.
13. He irrigates the mountains from His clouds above; the earth is satiated from the fruit of Your works.
14. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation requiring the labor of man to bring forth food from the earth;
15. and wine that gladdens man's heart, oil that makes the face shine, and bread that sustains man's heart.
16. The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17. wherein birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the cypress.
18. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rabbits.
19. He made the moon to calculate the festivals; the sun knows its time of setting.
20. You bring on darkness and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21. The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from God.
22. When the sun rises, they return and lie down in their dens.
23. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24. How manifold are Your works, O Lord! You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions.
25. This sea, vast and wide, where there are countless creeping creatures, living things small and great;
26. there ships travel, there is the Leviathan that You created to frolic therein.
27. They all look expectantly to You to give them their food at the proper time.
28. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satiated with goodness.
29. When You conceal Your countenance, they are terrified; when You take back their spirit, they perish and return to their dust.
30. When You will send forth Your spirit they will be created anew, and You will renew the face of the earth.
31. May the glory of the Lord be forever; may the Lord find delight in His works.
32. He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33. I will sing to the Lord with my soul; I will chant praise to my God with my [entire] being.
34. May my prayer be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord.
35. May sinners cease from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
Chapter 105
When David brought the Holy Ark up to the City of David, he composed this psalm and sang it before the Ark. He recounts all the miracles that God performed for the Jews in Egypt: sending before them Joseph, who was imprisoned, only to be liberated by God, eventually attaining the status of one who could imprison the princes of Egypt without consulting Pharaoh.
1. Offer praise to the Lord, proclaim His Name; make His deeds known among the nations.
2. Sing to Him, chant praises to Him, speak of all His wonders.
3. Glory in His holy Name; may the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4. Search for the Lord and His might; seek His countenance always.
5. Remember the wonders that He has wrought, His miracles, and the judgements of His mouth.
6. O descendants of Abraham His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones:
7. He is the Lord our God; His judgements extend over the entire earth.
8. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He has commanded to a thousand generations;
9. the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac.
10. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11. stating, "To you I shall give the land of Canaan"-the portion of your inheritance,
12. when they were but few, very few, and strangers in it.
13. They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14. He permitted no one to wrong them, and admonished kings for their sake:
15. "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.”
16. He called for a famine upon the land; He broke every source of bread.
17. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
18. They afflicted his foot with chains, his soul was put into iron;
19. until the time that His words came, the decree of the Lord purified him.
20. The king sent [word] and released him, the ruler of nations set him free.
21. He appointed him master of his house and ruler of all his possessions,
22. to imprison his princes at will, and to enlighten his elders.
23. Thus Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham (Egypt).
24. He multiplied His nation greatly, and made it mightier than its adversaries.
25. He turned their hearts to hate His nation, to conspire against His servants.
26. He sent Moses, His servant; Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27. They placed among them the words of His signs, miracles in the land of Ham.
28. He sent darkness and made it dark, and they did not defy His word.
29. He transformed their waters to blood, and killed their fish.
30. Their land swarmed with frogs in the chambers of their kings.
31. He spoke, and hordes of wild beasts came, and lice throughout their borders.
32. He turned their rains to hail, flaming fire in their land;
33. it struck their vine and fig tree, it broke the trees of their borders.
34. He spoke, and grasshoppers came, locusts without number;
35. and it consumed all grass in their land, it ate the fruit of their soil.
36. Then He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their potency.
37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.
38. Egypt rejoiced at their leaving, for the fear [of Israel] had fallen upon them.
39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and a fire to illuminate the night.
40. [Israel] asked, and He brought quail, and with the bread of heaven He satisfied them.
41. He opened a rock and waters flowed; they streamed through dry places like a river,
42. for He remembered His holy word to Abraham His servant.
43. And He brought out His nation with joy, His chosen ones with song.
44. He gave them the lands of nations, they inherited the toil of peoples,
45. so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the Lord!
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 29• English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
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Friday, Cheshvan 21, 5778 · November 10, 2017
Today's Tanya Lesson
Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 29
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The Alter Rebbe now goes on to explain that in addition to this function of mitzvot as garments for the soul, they also serve to unite the sublime spiritual level of Keter, with the physical objects with which the commandments are performed. As such, they resemble pillars that connect the highest part of a house with the lowest.
והנה רצון העליון ב"ה מכונה ונקרא בפי חכמי האמת בשם כתר עליון ובו תר"ך עמודי אור וכו'
Now the Supernal Will is termed and referred to by the Kabbalists1 as Keter Elyon ["the Supreme Crown"]. In it there are 620 pillars of light,2 620 being the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word Keter.
פי' דרך משל כמו שיש עמודים בבית חומה גדול נצבים בארץ וראשם מחובר בתקרה
That is, by way of analogy, just as in a large brick house3 there are pillars standing in the ground and their apex is connected with the ceiling,thereby connecting the lowest part of the house with the highest,
ככה ממש עד"מ כתר עליון ב"ה הוא למעלה מבחי' מדרגת החכמה
precisely so, metaphorically speaking, the Supernal Keter transcends the level of Chochmah,which is the first and highest of the inner Sefirot.
והוא מלשון כותרת שהוא מכתיר ומקיף על המוחין שבראש שהם בחי' חב"ד
[The word Keter] is related to koteret "[capital]",4 for it surrounds and encompasses over the brains in the head, i.e.,the faculties of ChaBaD – the faculties of Chochmah, Binah and Daat.
ורצון זה נתלבש בתרי"ג מצות התורה וז' מצות דרבנן שרובם ככולם הן מצות מעשיות
This [Supernal] Will is vested in the 613 commandments of theTorah and the seven precepts of the Sages, practically all of which are operative commandments.I.e., their performance involves physical action, which represents the lower or corporeal aspect of the lowest of the four spiritual "worlds", the World of Asiyah ("the World of Action".
וגם התלויות בדבור
And even those commandments [such as verbalized Torah study]that depend upon speech, nevertheless, even though speech is more spiritual than physical action, they too belong to the category of practical action,
הא קיי"ל דעקימת שפתיו הוי מעשה
for we have an accepted halachic principle that5 "the movement of one's lips [in speech] is regarded as an act."
וגם התלויות במחשבה או בלב
And even those commandments relating to thought or to the heart, such as the commandments regarding the love and awe of G-d, are also considered as physical acts.
הרי המצוה ניתנה לאדם הגשמי שבעוה"ז דוקא
For the commandments6 were given only to physical man in this [physical] world,
שהוא בעל בחירה להטות לבבו לטוב וכו'. משא"כ הנשמה בלא גוף א"צ לצותה ע"ז
because he has the choice to turn his heart to good, and so on.7 The soul without a body, however, need not be commanded about this.
ונמצא שהמצות הן עד"מ כמו העמודים נצבים מרום המעלות הוא רצון העליון ב"ה עד הארץ הלזו החומרית
Thus it follows that the commandments, metaphorically speaking, are like pillars that stand [and connect] from the highest of levels, viz., the Supernal Will, to this material world.
והן עד"מ כמו העמודים חלולין שמקיפין ומלבישין נשמת האדם או רוחו או נפשו כשמקיים המצות
Metaphorically speaking, they are like hollow pillars that encompass and garb [with the garment of mitzvot] man's Neshamah,or Ruach, or Nefesh, when he fulfills the commandments.
ודרך עמודים אלו עולין הנר"ן שלו עד רום המעלות לצרור בצרור החיים את ה'. פי' להיות צרורות ומלובשות באור הכתר הוא רצון העליון ב"ה
By way of these pillars [of the mitzvot], his Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah [abbreviated naran] ascend to the highest of levels, to be bound up8 "in the bond of life with G-d," that is, to be bound up and vested in the light of Keter, which is the Supernal Will, the highest level of all the worlds.
וע"י לבוש זה יוכלו לחזות בנועם ה' וצחצחות שלמעלה ממעלת הכתר והן פנימיותו עד"מ
And by means of this garment they are able to behold the "pleasantness of G-d" and the "pleasurable thirst" which transcend the level of Keter and, metaphorically speaking, are its pnimiyut.I.e., the "pleasantness of G-d" and the "pleasurable thirst "are the inner core of the light of Keter, which transcends all worlds.
(והגם שנתבאר במ"א שהמצות הן פנימיות רצון העליון ב"ה
9(Though it is explained elsewhere that the commandments are the pnimiyut i.e., the innermost element] of the Supernal Will, while here it is explained that they are merely the external aspect of Keter, i.e., the external aspect of the Supernal Will,
הנה מודעת זאת לי"ח ריבוי בחי' ומדרגות שיש בכל בחי' ומדרגה ממדרגות הקדושה
those adept in the Hidden Wisdom [i.e., Kabbalah] are well acquainted with the multitude of aspects and levels within every aspect and level among the various levels of holiness.
כמה בחי' פנים לפנים וכמה בחי' אחוריים לאחוריים לאין קץ וכו')
There are numerous aspects of "face to face," meaning (since panim is related to pnimiyut) that relative to a particular spiritual level, another level is even more "internal", or nearer to the Essence], and there are numerous aspects of "externality to externality," meaning the reverse, without end....)
Thus, relative to the internal level of the Supernal Will spoken about here, mitzvot are only termed "external", whereas in another context, when compared to a lower level, they are deemed the "internal" aspect of the Supernal Will.
* * *
The Alter Rebbe above called the commandments the 620 pillars of light of Keter. How does this agree with his previous statement, that the 613 garments of the mitzvot correspond to the 613 soul-powers?
The Alter Rebbe now answers that the seven commandments of the Sages (which bring the total to 620) are not self-sufficient mitzvot, but are branches of the Scriptural commandments from which they respectively derive. The soul thus has 613 garments that derive from the 613commandments, the Rabbinic mitzvot included. These garments garb the 613 powers of the soul.
והנה ז' מצות דרבנן אינן נחשבות מצות בפני עצמן שהרי כבר נאמר לא תוסף
Now, the seven precepts of the Sages are not counted as commandments in themselves, for it has been said,10 "You shall not add [to the commandments]."
אלא הן יוצאות ונמשכות ממצות התורה וכלולות בהן במספר תרי"ג להלביש תרי"ג בחי' וכחות שבנר"ן האדם
Rather, they derive and issue from the commandments of the Torah, and are included in them in the sum of 613 [commandments], which garb the 613 aspects and powers in the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshamah of man.
It was previously stated that the mitzvot are like 613 hollow pillars that encompass and garb the Neshamah, or Ruach, or Nefesh of the individual who performs the commandments. It is through these pillars that the soul rises to the greatest of heights, and is bound up in the radiance of Keter. Additionally, it is through the garment of the mitzvot that the soul is able to behold "the pleasantness of G-d" and to experience the "pleasurable thirst" that transcend even the pnimiyut of Keter.
| FOOTNOTES | |
| 1. | Lit., "the scholars of truth.". |
| 2. | Pardes, Shaar 8, ch. 3. |
| 3. | Note of the Rebbe: "The analog to this requires clarification.". |
| 4. | I Melachim 7:16, et al. |
| 5. | Sanhedrin 65a. |
| 6. | Lit., "the commandment." |
| 7. | The phrase "and so on" is a euphemism for "or to evil." |
| 8. | I Shmuel 25:29. |
| 9. | Parentheses are in the original text. |
| 10. | Devarim 13:1. |
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
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Audio: Listen | Download | Video ClassFriday, Cheshvan 21, 5778 · November 10, 2017
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
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Positive Commandment 155
Sanctifying the Shabbat
"Remember the Shabbat to keep it holy"—Exodus 20:8.
We are commanded to honor the Shabbat when it enters and when it leaves by pronouncing words that proclaim the greatness and holiness of the day, and its distinctness from the weekdays that precede and follow it. This mitzvah – commonly known as kiddush and havdalah – is performed over a cup of wine.
Full text of this Mitzvah »
Sanctifying the Shabbat
Positive Commandment 155
Translated by Berel Bell
The 155th mitzvah is that we are commanded to make a verbal declaration when Shabbos enters and when it leaves. We must mention the greatness and exalted character of this day, and how it is distinct from the other days of the week which precede it and follow it.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statementex1 (exalted be He), "Remember the Shabbos day to sanctify it." This means that one should commemorate it through mentioning its holiness and greatness. This is the mitzvah of Kiddush.
The Mechilta says the following: " 'Remember the Shabbos day to sanctify it,' — this means one should sanctify it through reciting a blessing." The Sages said explicitly,2 "Remember [Kiddush] over wine."
The Sages also said,3 "Sanctify it when it enters and when it leaves," [the phrase, "when it leaves"] referring to Havdalah, which is also part of our commandment to remember Shabbos.
The details of this commandment are explained in the end of tractate Pesachim4, and in many places in Berachos5 and Shabbos6.
FOOTNOTES
1.Shmos 20:8.
2.Pesachim 106a.
3.See Kapach, 5731, note 71, that the apparent source is Sh'iltos D'Rav Achai, parshas Zos HaBerachah.
4.. 106a.
5.. 51b.
6.. 150b.
Rambam:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Avodat Kochavim Avodat Kochavim - Chapter Nine
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• 3 Chapters A Day: Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Four, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Five, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Six
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All the covers of utensils may be carried on the Sabbath, provided they, themselves, are considered to be utensils.33
• English Text | Video ClassFriday, Cheshvan 21, 5778 · 10 November 2017
"Today's Day"
Friday, Cheshvan 21, 5704
Torah Lesson: Chumash: Chayei Sara, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 104-105.
Tanya: This is the (p. 581) ...ch. 38, see there. (p. 583).
It is the avoda of davening which brings the comprehension of the brain into the emotional sensitivity of the heart - and (also brings) both of them together into the practical avoda of performing mitzvot with fear-of-Heaven and acquiring fine character-traits.
Daily Thought:
Learn Together
Every couple must have a set time to study Torah together.
What should they study? Something that interests both of them—such as the Torah portion of that week, or something about the Torah seasons approaching. (From a letter, published in Hitkashrut, no. 70.)
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Avodat Kochavim - Chapter Nine
1
It is forbidden to purchase or sell any durable entity to an idolater within three days of one of their holidays. [Similarly, within this period, it is forbidden] to borrow from them, to lend to them, to accept payment from them or to repay them for a loan that is supported by a promissory note or collateral. It is, however, permitted to collect a loan which is supported by a verbal commitment alone, because one is saving one's property from being lost to them.
It is permitted to sell them an entity which will not endure - e.g., vegetables, or a cooked dish - until the day of their festival.
When does the above apply? In Eretz Yisrael. In other lands, however, it is forbidden [to engage in such activities] only on the day of their festival itself.
If one transgressed and did business with them during these three days, one may derive benefit from the results of these transactions. When, however, one does business with them on the day of their festival itself, it is forbidden to benefit from the results of these transactions.
א
שלשה ימים לפני חגם של עובדי כוכבים אסור ליקח מהם ולמכור להם דבר המתקיים ללוות מהן ולהלוותם ליפרע מהן ולפרוע להם מלוה בשטר או על המשכון אבל מלוה על פה נפרעין מהן מפני שהוא כמציל מידם ומותר למכור להן דבר שאינו מתקיים כגון ירקות ותבשיל עד יום חגם במה דברים אמורים בארץ ישראל אבל בשאר ארצות אינו אסור אלא יום חגם בלבד עבר ונשא ונתן עמהן באותן השלשה ימים הרי זה מותר בהנאה והנושא ונותן ביום חגם עמהן הרי זה אסור בהנאה:
2
It is forbidden to send a present to a gentile on one of his holidays, unless one knows that he does not acknowledge or worship idols. Similarly, if a gentile sends a present to a Jew on one of [the gentile's] holidays, the Jew should not accept it. If, however, there is the possibility of ill-feeling arising, he should take it from him. Nevertheless, he should not derive any benefit from it until he finds out that the gentile does not acknowledge or worship idols.
ב
ואסור לשלוח דורון לכותי ביום אידו אא"כ נודע לו שאינו מודה בעבודת כוכבים ואינו עובדה וכן כותי ששלח דורון לישראל ביום חגו לא יקבלנו ממנו ואם חשש לאיבה נוטלו בפניו ואינו נהנה בו עד שיודע לו שזה הכותי אינו עובד כוכבים ואינו מודה בה:
3
If the idolaters' festival lasts several days - whether three, four, or ten - all the days [of the festival] are considered as a single day. [Carrying out transactions] on any of these days, or on the three days preceding them, is forbidden.
ג
היה אידן של אותן עכו"ם ימים הרבה שלשה או ארבעה או עשרה כל אותן הימים כיום אחד הן וכולן אסורין עם ג' ימים לפניהן:
4
The Canaanites are idol worshipers, and Sunday is their festival. Accordingly, in Eretz Yisrael, it is forbidden to conduct transactions with them on Thursday and Friday each and every week, and, needless to say, on Sunday itself, when transactions with them are forbidden everywhere.
ד
כנענים עובדי כו"ם הם ויום ראשון הוא יום אידם לפיכך אסור לתת ולשאת עמהם בארץ ישראל יום חמישי ויום ששי שבכל שבת ושבת ואין צריך לומר יום ראשון עצמו שהוא אסור בכ"מ וכן נוהגין עמהם בכל אידיהם:
5
The day on which the idolaters gather together to crown a king and offer sacrifice and praise to their false deities is considered to be one of their holidays, since it is comparable to their other holidays. In contrast, on a day which is celebrated by an individual idolater as a festival on which he gives thanks and praise to the star he [worships] - for example, his birthday, the day on which he shaves his beard or hair, the day on which he returns from a sea-voyage, the day on which he leaves prison, the day on which he makes a [wedding] feast for his son, and the like - it is forbidden [to do business] on that particular day only with that individual man.
Similarly, when [it is customary] that the day on which one of them dies is marked with festivities, it is forbidden [to do business] with those individuals on that day. Whenever [a person's] death is marked by the burning of his utensils and the offering of incense, we can assume that idol worship is [involved in the ritual].
The [above] prohibition applies only to those who worship [the false deity]. In contrast, it is permitted to do business with those who join in the celebrations by eating, drinking, and observing it as a matter of custom or in deference to the king.
ה
יום שמתכנסין בו עובדי כוכבים להעמיד להן מלך ומקריבין ומקלסים לאלהיהם יום חגם הוא והרי הוא כשאר חגיהם אבל עובד כוכבים שעושה הוא חג לעצמו ומודה לכוכב שלו ומקלסו ביום שנולד בו ויום תגלחת זקנו או בלוריתו ויום שעלה בו מן הים ושיצא מבית האסורים ויום שעשה בו משתה לבנו וכיוצא באלו אינו אסור אלא אותו היום ואותו האיש בלבד וכן יום שימות להן בו מת ויעשוהו חג אותם העושים אסורין אותו היום וכל מיתה ששורפין בה כלים ומקטרים קטורת בידוע שיש בה עבודת כוכבים אין יום החג אסור אלא לעובדיה בלבד אבל אותם ששמחים בו ואוכלין ושותין ומשמרין אותו מפני מנהג או מפני כבוד המלך אבל הם אין מודין בו הרי אלו מותרין לשאת ולתת עמהן:
6
Articles which are distinguished by their use [in the worship] of one of the false deities in a particular locale may never be sold to the worshipers of that deity in that locale. Articles which are not characterized by such uniqueness may be sold to them without enquiring [about the purpose for which they will be used].
If, however, an idolater specifically states that he is purchasing the article for the sake of idol worship, it is forbidden to sell it to him unless one blemishes it in a manner which disqualifies it for use as an offering to the idol. An animal lacking a limb is not offered as a sacrifice to an idol.
ו
דברים שהן מיוחדין למין ממיני עבודת כוכבים שבאותו מקום אסור למכור לעובדי אותה עבודת כוכבים שבאותו המקום לעולם ודברים שאינן מיוחדין לה מוכרין אותם סתם ואם פירש העובד כוכבים שהוא קונה אותם לעבודת כוכבים אסור למכור לו אלא אם כן פסלו מלהקריבו לעבודת כוכבים לפי שאין מקריבין חסד לעבודת כוכבים:
7
It is permitted to sell articles which are distinguished [by their use in the worship of a false deity] that are mixed together with articles that are not used for such purposes - e.g., pure frankincense with black frankincense - without enquiring [about the purpose for which they will be used]. We do not suspect that [the purchaser] will separate the pure frankincense to use for idol worship. The same applies in other similar situations.
ז
היו מעורבין דברים המיוחדין עם דברים שאין מיוחדין כגון לבונה זכה בכלל לבונה שחורה מוכר הכל סתם ואין חוששין שמא ילקט הזכה לבדה לעבודת כוכבים וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
8
Just as it is forbidden to sell idolaters articles that assist them in idol worship, it is forbidden to sell them articles that can cause harm to many people - for example, bears, lions, weapons, fetters, and chains. [Similarly,] it is forbidden to sharpen their weapons.
Everything that is forbidden to be sold to idolaters is also forbidden to be sold to a Jew who is suspect that he will sell to idolaters. Similarly, it is forbidden to sell dangerous objects to a Jewish thief.
ח
כשם שאין מוכרין לעובד כוכבים דברים שמחזיקין בהן ידיהן לעבודת כוכבים כך אין מוכרין להם דבר שיש בו נזק לרבים כגון דובים ואריות וכלי זיין וכבלים ושלשלאות ואין משחיזין להם את הזיין וכל שאסור למוכרו לעובד כוכבים אסור למוכרו לישראל החשוד למכור לעובד כוכבים וכן אסור למכור כלי נזק לישראל ליסטם:
9
When the Jews dwell among the idolaters and have established a covenant with them, it is permissible to sell weapons to the servants of the king and his to his soldiers, because they use them to wage war against the enemies of the country and to protect it. Thus, they also protect us, for we dwell among them.
It is permitted to walk around a city in which an idol is located. It is, however, forbidden to enter [the city]. If the idol is located outside the city, it is permitted to walk within it.
ט
היו ישראל שוכנים בין העובדי כוכבים וכרתו להם ברית מותר למכור כלי זיין לעבדי המלך וגייסותיו מפני שעושים בהם מלחמה עם צרי המדינה להצילה ונמצאו מגינים עלינו שהרי אנו שרויין בתוכם עיר שיש בה עבודת כוכבים מותר להלך חוצה לה ואסור להכנס בתוכה היה חוצה לה עבודת כוכבים מותר להלך בתוכה:
10
A person who is journeying from one place to another may not pass through a city in which a false deity is located.
When does this apply? When this is the only way to his destination. If, however, there is an alternate route to his destination and, by chance, he took [the route which passed through this city], it is permissible.
י
ההולך ממקום למקום אסור לו לעבור בעיר שיש בה עבודת כוכבים במה דברים אמורים בזמן שהדרך מיוחדת לאותו מקום אבל אם יש שם דרך אחרת ונקרה והלך בזו מותר:
11
It is forbidden to build - [even] together with an idolater - a dome under which an idol is placed. If one transgressed and built such a structure, however, one's wage is permitted. A priori, one may construct the palace or the courtyard where that dome is located.
יא
אסור לבנות עם העובדי כוכבים כיפה שמעמידים בה עבודת כוכבים ואם עבר ובנה שכרו מותר אבל בונה הוא לכתחילה הטרקלין או החצר שיש בה אותה הכיפה:
12
[The following laws apply] when an idol is located within a city and there some shops which are adorned and some which are not: It is forbidden to benefit from those which are adorned or [to use] anything they contain, since we can assume that they were adorned for the sake of idol worship. It is permitted to benefit from those which are not adorned.
It is forbidden to do business with a store owned by a false deity, because one offers benefit to the false deity.
יב
עיר שיש בה עבודת כוכבים והיו בה חנויות מעוטרות ושאינן מעוטרות המעוטרות אסור ליהנות בהן בכל מה שבתוכן מפני שחזקתן שבגלל עבודת כוכבים נתעטרו ושאינן מעוטרות מותרות בהנאה חנויות של עבודת כוכבים אסור לשכרן מפני שמהנה עבודת כוכבים:
13
When a person sells his house to an idol, it is forbidden to benefit from the proceeds of the sale. Rather, they must be taken to the Dead Sea. If, however, an idolater steals a Jew's house against his will and places an idol within, it is permitted [to accept whatever] money [he offers]. [The Jew] may compose [a bill of sale] and formalize it in accordance with the civil law procedures.
יג
המוכר בית לעבודת כוכבים דמיו אסורים בהנאה ויוליכם לים המלח אבל עובדי כוכבים שאנסו ישראל וגזלו ביתו והעמידו בו עבודת כוכבים דמיו מותרין וכותב ומעלה בערכאות שלהם:
14
Flutes belonging to idolaters should not be used in a funeral dirge.
One may attend a pagan commercial fair and purchase livestock, gentile servants and maidservants before they convert, houses, fields, and vineyards. One may compose a bill of sale and formalize it in accordance with the civil law procedures, since by doing so one saves [one's property] from them.
When does the above apply? When one buys from a private individual who does not have to pay a tax [to the false deity]. If, however, one buys from a merchant, it is forbidden, for a merchant must pay a tax which must be given to the false deity. Hence, [by making such a purchase], one is giving benefit to a false deity.
[The following laws apply] if one transgressed and purchased [merchandise] from a merchant: If one purchased livestock, one should cut off the animal's hooves from below the anklebone. If one purchased garments or other objects, one should let them rot. If one purchased money or metal utensils, one should bring them to the Dead Sea. If one purchased a servant, one may not help him up [from a pit], nor should one push him into one.
יד
וחלילין של עובדי כוכבים אסור לספוד בהן הולכין ליריד של עבודת כוכבים ולוקחין מהן בהמה עבדים ושפחות בגיותן ובתים ושדות וכרמים וכותב ומעלה בערכאות שלהן מפני שהוא כמציל מידם בד"א בלוקח מבעל הבית שאינו נותן מכם אבל הלוקח שם מן התגר אסור מפני שהוא נותן מכס והמכס לעבודת כוכבים ונמצא זה מהנה עבודת כוכבים עבר ולקח מן התגר אם בהמה לקח מנשר פרסותיה מן הארכובה ולמטה ואם כסות וכלים לקח ירקבו לקח מעות וכלי מתכות יוליכם לים המלח לקח עבד לא מעלים ולא מורידין:
15
When an idolater makes a [wedding] party for his son or daughter, it is forbidden to benefit from the feast. It is even forbidden for a Jew to eat and drink his own food there, since it is being consumed at a celebration of idolaters.
When is it forbidden to eat such an idolater's food? From when he began to prepare for the wedding feast, the entire duration of the wedding feast, and for thirty days afterwards. [Furthermore,] if he makes another celebration because of the wedding even after thirty days have passed, it is forbidden [to participate] until twelve months [have passed].
This stringency was imposed because of idol worship, as [implied by Exodus 34:15-16]: "And he shall call to you and you shall eat from his slaughter, and you shall choose from his daughters for your sons. His daughters will stray after their gods, and they will lead your sons astray after these gods."
טו
עובד כוכבים שעשה לבנו או לבתו משתה אסור ליהנות מסעודתו ואפילו לאכול ולשתות הישראל משלו שם אסור הואיל ובמסיבת עובדי כוכבים אכלו ומאימתי אסור לאכול אצלו משיתחיל לעסוק ולהכין צרכי סעודה וכל ימי המשתה ולאחר ימי המשתה שלשים יום ואם עשה סעודה אחרת מחמת הנישואין אפילו לאחר שלשים יום אסור עד שנים עשר חדש וכל ההרחקה הזאת מפני עבודה של כוכבים הוא שנאמר וקרא לך ואכלת מזבחו ולקחת מבנותיו לבניך וזנו וגו':
16
A Jewish woman should not nurse the child of an idolater, since, by doing so, she raises a son who will be an idolater. She should not serve as a midwife for an idolatrous woman [without charge]. She may, however, do so for a fee, lest strife arise.
An idolatrous woman may serve as a midwife for a Jewess and nurse her child. [This must be done] in premises belonging to a Jew, lest the idolatrous woman kill the child.
טז
בת ישראל לא תיניק את בנה של עובדת כוכבים מפני שמגדלת בן לעבודת כוכבים ולא תיילד את הנכרית עכו"ם אבל מילדת היא בשכר משום איבה והנכרית עכו"ם מילדת את בת ישראל ומניקה את בנה ברשותה כדי שלא תהרגנו:
17
It is forbidden to trade with [gentiles] on their way to reproachful places of idol worship, but it is permitted to trade with them when they return. This applies when they do not journey in a caravan. If, however, they are traveling in a caravan, they may change their mind and return.
If a Jew journeys to a reproachful place of idol worship, one may trade with him on his way, since he may change his mind. On his way back, it is forbidden. [It is forbidden to trade with] an apostate Jew on his way there and on his way back.
יז
ההולכין לתרפות עכו"ם אסור לשאת ולתת עמהן והבאים מותרין והוא שלא יהיו קשורין זה בזה שאם היו קשורין שמא דעתן לחזור ישראל ההולך לתרפות עכו"ם בהליכה מותר לשאת ולתת עמו שמא יחזור בו ובחזירה אסור ישראל מומר בין בהליכה בין בחזירה אסור:
18
When a Jew attends a fair of idol worshipers it is forbidden to trade with him when he returns. Perhaps he sold an idol to them, and it is forbidden to benefit from the proceeds of the sale of idol worship possessed by a Jew.
It is, however, permitted to benefit from [the proceeds of the sale of an idol] possessed by an idolater. Therefore, it is permitted to trade with an idolater coming from such a fair, but not with a Jew. It is forbidden to trade with an apostate Jew on his way to and on his way from such a fair.
יח
ישראל שהלך ליריד של עכו"ם בחזירה אסור לשאת ולתת עמו שמא עכו"ם מכר להן שם ודמי עכו"ם ביד ישראל אסורים בהנאה וביד עכו"ם מותרין בהנאה ומפני זה נושאין ונותנין עם עכו"ם הבא מן התרפות של עכו"ם ואין נושאין ונותנין עם ישראל הבא מן התרפות ההוא ולא עם ישראל מומר לא בהליכתו ולא בחזירתו:
Rambam:• 3 Chapters A Day: Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Four, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Five, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Six
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Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Four
1
There are activities that are forbidden on the Sabbath despite the fact that they do not resemble the [forbidden] labors, nor will they lead to [the performance of] the [forbidden] labors.1
Why then are [these activities] forbidden? Because it is written [Isaiah 58:13], "If you restrain your feet, because of the Sabbath, and [refrain] from pursuing your desires on My holy day..." and it is written [ibid.], " And you shall honor it [by refraining] from following your [ordinary] ways, attending to your wants, and speaking about [mundane] matters."
Therefore, it is forbidden for a person to go2 and tend to his [mundane] concerns on the Sabbath, or even to speak about them3 - e.g., to discuss with a partner which merchandise should be sold on the morrow or which should be bought, how this building should be constructed, or which merchandise should be taken to a particular place. Speaking about all matters of this like is included in the prohibition [against] "...speaking about [mundane] matters."
It is speaking that is forbidden. Thinking [about such matters] is permitted.4
א
יש דברים שהן אסורין בשבת אף על פי שאינם דומין למלאכה ואינם מביאין לידי מלאכה. ומפני מה נאסרו משום שנאמר אם תשיב משבת רגלך עשות חפציך ביום קדשי ונאמר וכבדתו מעשות דרכיך ממצוא חפצך ודבר דבר. לפיכך אסור לאדם להלך בחפציו בשבת ואפילו לדבר בהן כגון שידבר עם שותפו מה ימכור למחר או מה יקנה או היאך יבנה בית זה ובאי זה סחורה ילך למקום פלוני. כל זה וכיוצא בו אסור שנאמר ודבר דבר דבור אסור הרהור מותר:
2
It is forbidden for a person to check his gardens and fields on the Sabbath to see what they require or to see how their fruit is growing, for this involves going to "pursue your desires."5
Similarly, it is forbidden for a person to go to the end of the Sabbath boundary6 on the Sabbath and wait there until nightfall so that he will be closer to performing a task7 he desires to fulfill on Saturday night, for in this manner he is walking on the Sabbath in "pursuit of his desires."
ב
אסור לאדם לפקוד גנותיו ושדותיו בשבת כדי לראות מה הן צריכין או היאך הן פירותיהן. שהרי זה מהלך לעשות חפצו. וכן אסור לאדם שיצא בשבת עד סוף התחום וישב שם עד שתחשך כדי שיהיה קרוב לעשות חפציו במוצאי שבת. שהרי נמצא הלוכו בשבת לעשות חפציו:
3
When does the above apply? When one goes to the end of the Sabbath boundary to wait until nightfall to perform an activity that is forbidden on the Sabbath itself. It is, however, permitted to [go to the boundary and] wait until nightfall in order to perform a task that is permitted on the Sabbath.
What is implied? We may not go to the boundary and wait until nightfall in order to bring produce that is still attached to the ground or to hire workers. One may, however, go and wait until nightfall in order to guard one's produce, since it is permitted to guard [produce] on the Sabbath.8
Similarly, one may go and wait until nightfall in order to bring an animal or fruit that has already been detached. For one calls to an animal and it will come even if it is outside the [Sabbath] boundary,9 and had there been enclosures, one would have been able to bring the detached produce on the Sabbath.
Similarly, a person may tell a colleague, "I am going10 to this or that city tomorrow,"11 for if there were [a chain of] huts [located between the two places], one would be permitted to walk there on the Sabbath. The same applies in all similar situations.
ג
במה דברים אמורים בשהחשיך על התחום לעשות דבר שאסור בשבת לעשותו. אבל אם החשיך לעשות דבר שמותר לעשותו בשבת הרי זה מותר. כיצד אין מחשיכין על התחום להביא פירות מחוברין או לשכור פועלין. אבל מחשיך הוא לשמור פירות שהרי מותר לשמור בשבת. ומחשיך להביא בהמה או פירות תלושין. שהבהמה קורא לה והיא באה אף על פי שהיא חוץ לתחום. ופירות תלושין אילו היו שם מחיצות היה מותר להביאן בשבת. וכן אומר אדם לחבירו לכרך פלוני אני הולך למחר שאם היו שם בורגנים היה הולך לשם בשבת וכן כל כיוצא בזה"
4
It is permitted for a person to tell a worker whom he sees [on the Sabbath], "Stand near me in the evening."12 One may not, however, tell him, "Be prepared for me in the evening," since by doing so," the person is attending to his wants on the Sabbath.
It is forbidden to run and jump on the Sabbath, as [Isaiah, loc. cit.] states, "[Refraining] from following your [ordinary] ways" - i.e., the manner in which you walk on the Sabbath should not resemble the manner in which you walk during the week. A person may, however, descend to a cistern, pit, or cave, even if they are 100 cubits deep, climb down to drink and then climb up.
It is forbidden to speak extensively about idle matters, as it is written [ibid.], "...speaking about [mundane] matters" - i.e., the manner in which you speak on the Sabbath should not resemble the manner in which you speak during the week.13
ד
מותר לאדם לומר לפועל הנראה שתעמוד עמי לערב. אבל לא יאמר לו היה נכון לי לערב שנמצא עושה חפצו בשבת. ואסור לרוץ ולדלג בשבת שנאמר מעשות דרכיך שלא יהא הלוכך של שבת כהלוכך של חול. ויורד אדם לבור ושיח ומערה אפילו הן מאה אמה ומטפס ויורד ושותה ומטפס ועולה. ואסור להרבות בשיחה בטלה שנאמר ודבר דבר שלא יהא דבורך של שבת כדבורך של חול:
5
It is permitted to run on the Sabbath for matters involved with a mitzvah14 - e.g., to run to the synagogue or the house of study.
We are permitted to calculate accounts associated with a mitzvah,15 to make measurements concerning a mitzvah - e.g., to measure a mikveh to see if it contains [the required] quantity,16 or a cloth to see if it is [large enough to] contract ritual impurity.17
Charity may be pledged to the poor.18 We may go to synagogues and houses of study - and even to theaters and halls of gentiles - to take care19 of matters of public interest on the Sabbath.
One may speak about arranging a marriage for a girl, or arranging study - whether the study of Torah or the study of a profession20 - for a boy.21 We may visit the sick and comfort mourners.22 A person who goes to visit a sick person should say, "It is the Sabbath [when it is forbidden] to plead;23 healing will come soon."24
One may go to the end of the Sabbath boundary to wait until nightfall to take care of the needs of a bride or to take care of the needs of a deceased person [- e.g.], to bring a coffin or shrouds.
[When involved in these matters,] one may tell [a colleague,] "Go to.... If you don't find [the required object] there, bring it from...." "If you can't find it at one hundred, bring it [even] at two hundred." [This is permitted] as long as one does not mention the [maximum] sum he is willing to pay.25
[The rationale for] all these and similar [leniencies] is that [they concern] a mitzvah. And the [verse from which the prohibitions against mundane activity is derived] states, "pursuing your desires." "Your desires" are forbidden; God's desires are permitted.
ה
מותר לרוץ בשבת לדבר מצוה כגון שירוץ לבית הכנסת או לבית המדרש. ומחשבין חשבונות של מצוה ומודדין מדידה של מצוה כגון מקוה לידע אם יש כשיעור או בגד לידע אם מקבל טומאה ופוסקין צדקה לעניים. והולכין לבתי כנסיות ולבתי מדרשות. ואפילו לטרטיאות וטרקלין של כותים. לפקח על עסקי רבים בשבת. ומשדכין על התינוקת ליארס ועל התינוק ללמדו ספר וללמדו אומנות. ומבקרין חולין ומנחמים אבלים. והנכנס לבקר את החולה אומר שבת היא מלזעוק ורפואה קרובה לבוא. ומחשיכין על התחום לפקח על עסקי כלה ועל עסקי המת להביא לו ארון ותכריכין. ואומר לו לך למקום פלוני לא מצאת שם הבא ממקום פלוני לא מצאת במנה הבא במאתים. ובלבד שלא יזכיר לו סכום מקח. שכל אלו וכיוצא בהן מצוה הן ונאמר עשות חפציך וכו' חפציך אסורין חפצי שמים מותרין:
6
One may set out on a ship on the Mediterranean Sea on Friday for the sake of the fulfillment of a mitzvah.26 One [must] make an agreement with [the captain] to halt [the journey] on the Sabbath. If, [however,] he does not halt [the journey, it is of no consequence].27
We may nullify28 vows on the Sabbath, both vows that must be nullified for the sake of the Sabbath and vows whose nullification is not related to the Sabbath.29 One may ask a wise man to absolve [a person] of a vow if this is necessary for the sake of the Sabbath.30This is possible despite the fact that the person had the opportunity to have [himself] absolved [of the vow] before the Sabbath. [This license is granted] because all of the above matters concern a mitzvah.
ו
מפליגין בים הגדול בערב שבת לדבר מצוה ופוסק עמו לשבות ואינו שובת. ומפירין נדרים בשבת בין לצורך שבת בין שלא לצורך שבת. ונשאלין לחכם על הנדרים שהן לצורך השבת ומתירין אף על פי שהיה להן פנאי להתירן קודם השבת שדברים אלו מצוה הן:
7
Punishments may not be administered [by the court] on the Sabbath. Although [administering] punishment fulfills a positive command [of the Torah], the observance of a positive commandment does not supersede [the observance of] the Sabbath [laws].
What is implied? A person who was sentenced to be lashed or executed by [the court] should not be lashed or executed on the Sabbath, as [Exodus 35:3] states: "Do not kindle a fire in all of your dwellings on the Sabbath."31 This [verse serves as] a warning to the court not to [execute a person by] burning on the Sabbath. The same principle applies regarding other punishments [administered by the court].32
ז
אין עונשין בשבת אף על פי שהעונש מצות עשה אינה דוחה שבת. כיצד הרי שנתחייב בבית דין מלקות או מיתה אין מלקין אותו ואין ממיתין אותו בשבת שנאמר לא תבערו אש בכל מושבותיכם ביום השבת זו אזהרה לבית דין שלא ישרפו בשבת מי שנתחייב שריפה והוא הדין לשאר עונשין:
8
A person is permitted to guard his produce on the Sabbath regardless of whether it is detached from the earth or not. If another person comes to take it, or an animal or a wild beast comes to eat it, he may shout at them and beat them to drive them away.
[One might ask:] This involves tending to one's own concerns. Why is it permitted? Because33 one is prohibited only against acquiring new property that one does not possess, earning a wage, making a profit, or seeking to accrue [new] benefits. It is, however, permitted for a person to protect the interests that he already possesses. To what can this be compared? To locking one's house [to prevent] thieves [from entering].
ח
מותר לאדם לשמור פירותיו בשבת בין תלושים בין מחוברין. ואם בא אדם ליטול מהן או בהמה וחיה לאכול מהן גוער בהן ומכה בהם ומרחיקן. והלא דבר זה מחפציו הוא ולמה הוא מותר. מפני שלא נאסר אלא לקנות לעצמו חפצים שאינן עתה מצויים או להשתכר ולהרויח ולהטפל בהנאה שתבוא לידו. אבל לשמור ממונו שכבר בא לידו עד שיעמוד כמות שהוא מותר הא למה זה דומה לנועל ביתו מפני הגנבים:
9
A person who protects his grains from birds or who protects his cucumbers and squash from beasts should not clap his hands and dance as he does during the week. [This is] a decree, [instituted] lest one pick up a pebble and throw it four cubits in the public domain.34
ט
המשמר זרעיו מפני העופות ומקשאיו ומדלעיו מפני החיה לא יספק ולא ירקד כדרך שעושה בחול גזירה שמא יטול צרור ויזרוק ארבע אמות ברשות הרבים:
10
All the actions that are forbidden as [part of the category of] sh'vut are not forbidden beyn hash'mashot,35[between sunset and the appearance of the stars].36 They are forbidden only on the Sabbath itself, and they are permitted during beyn hash'mashot,37 provided that [the activity] is necessary because of a mitzvah or a pressing matter.38
What is implied? During beyn hash'mashot it is permitted to climb a tree39 or to swim across water40 to bring a lulav or a shofar. Similarly, one may take an eruv that one has made down from a tree or out from a carmelit.41
Similarly, if one is concerned, anxious, and pressed concerning a matter, [an activity forbidden as] a sh'vut is permitted during beyn hash'mashot. If, however, the matter is not pressing, nor does it concern a mitzvah, it is forbidden. Therefore, one may not tithe produce that definitely has not been tithed,42 although the prohibition against tithing produce on the Sabbath was instituted as a sh'vut.43 One may, however, tithe produce of which one is unsure whether or not it has been tithed.44
י
כל הדברים שהן אסורין משום שבות לא גזרו עליהן בין השמשות אלא בעצמו של יום שהן אסורין אבל בין השמשות מותרין. והוא שיהיה שם דבר מצוה או דוחק. כיצד מותר לו בין השמשות לעלות באילן או לשוט על פני המים להביא לולב או שופר. וכן מוריד מן האילן או מוציא מן הכרמלית עירוב שעשה. וכן אם היה טרוד ונחפז ונצרך לדבר שהוא משום שבות בין השמשות הרי זה מותר. אבל אם לא היה שם דוחק ולא דבר מצוה אסור. לפיכך אין מעשרין את הודאי בין השמשות אף על פי שאיסור הפרשת המעשר בשבת משום שבות. אבל מעשרים את הדמאי:
11
When a minor performs an activity on the Sabbath that is forbidden as a sh'vut - e.g., he plucks from [a plant growing in] a flower pot that does not have a hole, or he carries in a carmelit - the court is not obligated to prevent him from doing so. Similarly, if his father allows him to act in this manner, [the father] need not be rebuked.45
יא
קטן שעשה בשבת דבר שהוא משום שבות כגון שתלש מעציץ שאינו נקוב או טלטל בכרמלית אין בית דין מצווין להפרישו. וכן אם הניחו אביו אין ממחין בידו:
12
The Sages forbade the carrying of certain objects on the Sabbath in the same manner as [one carries] during the week. Why was this prohibition instituted?46 [Our Sages] said: If the prophets warned that the manner in which a person walks on the Sabbath should not resemble the manner in which he walks during the week, and similarly, one's conversation on the Sabbath should not resemble one's conversation during the week, as it is written, "[refraining from]... speaking about [mundane] matters," surely the manner in which one carries on the Sabbath should not resemble the manner in which one carries during the week.
In this manner, no one will regard [the Sabbath] as an ordinary weekday and lift up and repair articles, [carrying them] from room to room, or from house to house, or set aside stones and the like. [These restrictions are necessary] for since the person is idle and sitting at home, [it is likely that] he will seek something with which to occupy himself. Thus, he will not have ceased activity and will have negated the motivating principle for the Torah's commandment [Deuteronomy 5:14], "Thus... will rest."47
יב
אסרו חכמים לטלטל מקצת דברים בשבת כדרך שהוא עושה בחול. ומפני מה נגעו באיסור זה. אמרו ומה אם הזהירו נביאים וצוו שלא יהיה הילוכך בשבת כהילוכך בחול ולא שיחת השבת כשיחת החול שנאמר ודבר דבר קל וחומר שלא יהיה טלטול בשבת כטלטול בחול כדי שלא יהיה כיום חול בעיניו ויבוא להגביה ולתקן כלים מפינה לפינה או מבית לבית או להצניע אבנים וכיוצא בהן שהרי הוא בטל ויושב בביתו ויבקש דבר שיתעסק בו ונמצא שלא שבת ובטל הטעם שנאמר בתורה למען ינוח:
13
Furthermore, when one searches for and carries articles that are used for a forbidden activity, it is possible that one will use them and thus be motivated to perform a [forbidden] labor.
[Another reason for this prohibition is] that there are some people who are not craftsmen and are always idle - e.g., tourists and those that stand on the street corners. These individuals never perform labor. Were they to be allowed to walk, talk, and carry as they do during the week, the result would be that their cessation of activity on [the Sabbath] would not be discernible. For this reason, [our Sages instituted] refraining from such activities,48 for the cessation of such activities is universally applicable.
These are the reasons for the restrictions against carrying [objects].49 The Sages forbade a person from carrying on the Sabbath, with the exception of articles that he requires, as will be explained.50
יג
ועוד כשיבקר ויטלטל כלים שמלאכתן לאיסור אפשר שיתעסק בהן מעט ויבא לידי מלאכה. ועוד מפני שמקצת העם אינם בעלי אומניות אלא בטלין כל ימיהן כגון הטיילין ויושבי קרנות שכל ימיהן הן שובתים ממלאכה ואם יהיה מותר להלך ולדבר ולטלטל כשאר הימים נמצא שלא שבת שביתה הניכרת. לפיכך שביתה מדברים אלו היא שביתה השוה בכל אדם. ומפני דברים אלו נגעו באיסור הטלטול. ואסרו שלא יטלטל אדם בשבת אלא כלים הצריך להם כמו שיתבאר
FOOTNOTES
1.As stated in Chapter 21, Halachah 1, these two reasons are the source for the prohibitions placed in the category of sh'vut.
2.This restriction stems from the fact that the verse mentions, "Restraining your feet."
3.Rabbenu Asher, in his gloss on Shabbat 150a, associates this prohibition with discussing matters that are forbidden to be performed on the Sabbath itself. This thrust is reflected in the decisions of Shulchan Aruch HaRav 307:1 and the Mishnah Berurah 307:1.
The Rambam mentions these principles in Halachah 3. In this context, it can be noted that all the examples the Rambam gives in this halachah reflect activities forbidden on the Sabbath.
4.For the verse specifically mentions speech, thus excluding thought from the prohibition. Nevertheless, as the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 306:8) emphasizes, "It is a mitzvah not to think of these matters at all. Instead, one's attitude should be that all of one's work has been completed."
5.According to the later authorities, this prohibition applies only when it is obvious that one's intent is to take care of one's own needs. If, however, it appears that one is merely taking a pleasure stroll, there is no prohibition (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 306:2; Mishnah Berurah 306:1). See, however, the notes on the following halachah.
6.2000 cubits from one's place at the commencement of the Sabbath. (See Chapter 27, where this concept is discussed at length.)
The Maggid Mishneh states that by mentioning "the end of the Sabbath boundary," the Rambam alludes to a concept stated by Tosafot (Shabbat 150a) - i.e., that if one's field is within the Sabbath boundary, there is no difficulty and one may walk to it on the Sabbath so that one can begin work on Saturday night. If the field is at the end of the Sabbath boundary, it is obvious that one is walking to proceed to one's field. When the field is within the Sabbath limits, by contrast, it is not obvious that one's intent is to perform forbidden labor.
Although the Shulchan Aruch 307:9 quotes this law, the Magen Avraham 307:13 questions the rationale, for the verse from Isaiah quoted above appears to prohibit walking to facilitate the performance of any activity forbidden on the Sabbath, regardless of the appearance created.
7.As explained in the following halachah, this refers to a task that is prohibited on the Sabbath itself.
8.See Halachah 8.
9.Note the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 306:1), which states that this refers only to an animal that is able to walk on its own. If the animal is too young to walk on its own, it is forbidden to go and wait for it, since even if there were houses, one would be forbidden to carry the animal, because of the prohibition of muktzeh.
10.One may not, however, say, "I am riding," for riding is forbidden on the Sabbath (Mishnah Berurah 307:30).
11.Similarly, he may ask the colleague to accompany him (Maggid Mishneh, Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 307:8).
12.Although both the employer and the employee understand the implication, since the employer is not making a direct statement - but merely an allusion - this is permitted. The Maggid Mishneh associates this with the concept mentioned at the conclusion of the first halachah: speaking about forbidden matters is prohibited, but not thought. Since no forbidden matters are discussed, the fact that they are implied is of no consequence.
13.The Ramah (Orach Chayim 307:1) mentions that a person who enjoys talking about news and matters of this nature may engage in such discussions on the Sabbath, since this brings him pleasure. Needless to say, Torah scholars are encouraged to direct their attention to loftier matters (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 307:2).
14.The Maggid Mishneh equates activities which involve a mitzvah with matters of communal interest. He emphasizes that it is only the prohibitions against involvement with mundane matters that are relaxed because of the performance of a mitzvah. Other prohibitions - e.g., telling a gentile to perform a forbidden activity, or performing an act that resembles or that may lead to the performance of a forbidden labor (i.e., shvut) - are never relaxed, even for the sake of a mitzvah .
As the Rambam mentions (Chapter 6, Halachot 9-10), the prohibition against instructing a gentile to perform an act that is forbidden as a sh'vut is relaxed when a mitzvah is involved, but only when the prohibition is Rabbinic in origin.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 307:5) mentions an opinion permitting us to instruct a gentile to perform a forbidden act for matters of serious communal need, and also a more stringent opinion, that even forbids giving a gentile such instructions. The Ramah also notes a more lenient approach that allows one to tell a gentile to perform a task forbidden by the Torah. In practice, the Rambam's view, as interpreted by the Maggid Mishneh, is accepted by most authorities except in cases where a great loss is involved. In those instances, the leniency mentioned by the Shulchan Aruch is accepted.
15.The Magen Avraham 306:10 gives as an example, calculating the cost of a feast associated with a mitzvah.
16.A mikveh must contain 40 seah to be halachically acceptable.
17.As mentioned in Hilchot Keilim, Chapter 22, a piece of cloth is susceptible to contracting ritual impurity only if it is of a specific size. There are different sizes, depending on the type of cloth.
18.Or for the benefit of a synagogue or other charitable cause.
19.From the discussion of this matter by the later Rabbis, it appears that this phrase has two meanings: a) to examine and inspect a situation where the communal interest is involved; b) to plan out a course of action to deal with questions of this nature, and even to execute that plan, provided the only prohibition being violated is involvement in mundane affairs - for example, to speak to the gentile communal authorities.
20.For earning one's livelihood is a mitzvah of great esteem. (See also Hilchot Matnot Ani'im 10:18 and the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Avot 4:5.)
21.The details of financial arrangements involved in the marriage or the instructions should not, however, be discussed on the Sabbath (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 306:6).
22.See Shabbat 12b, which states that permission to visit the sick and comfort mourners on the Sabbath was granted "with difficulty," because it runs contrary to the mood of pleasure that should characterize the Sabbath (Rashi). Significantly, the treatment of this subject in Shulchan Aruch HaRav 287:1-3 appears to reflect a different emphasis from that of the Rambam.
23.In this context, note one of the Rambam's responsa (208), which emphasizes the importance of refraining from reciting any prayers containing requests whether of a communal or an individual nature on the Sabbath or on festivals.
24.As the Rambam writes in Hilchot Eivel 14:6, one of the fundamental aspects of the mitzvah of visiting the sick is to arouse divine mercy on their behalf. Nevertheless, since it is forbidden to plead on the Sabbath, one makes a statement that acknowledges God's kindness. The phrase cited by the Rambam is also used as the basis of the Mi Sheberach prayers recited for a sick person in the synagogue on the Sabbath.
25.Our translation is based on the commentary of the Maggid Mishneh, which is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 306:3).
26.As the Rambam mentions in Chapter 30, Halachah 13, generally one is not allowed to set out on a sea journey less than three days before the Sabbath so that one will have already acclimated oneself to the travails of sea travel by the Sabbath. Nevertheless, because of the person's involvement in the performance of a mitzvah, this restriction is waived.
27.The later authorities maintain that particularly because a mitzvah is involved, if the gentile does not agree to halt the journey at the outset, one need not refrain from traveling with him (Mishnah Berurah 248:2).
28.The Torah gives a husband and a father the right to nullify vows made by his wife and daughter. (See Numbers, Chapter 30.)
29.The reason that all vows may be nullified on the Sabbath is that a vow can be nullified by a husband or father only on the day that he hears it. Therefore, if he were not able to nullify it on the Sabbath, he would never be able to nullify it in the future. To preserve this right, our Sages did not forbid nullifying vows on the Sabbath (Maggid Mishneh).
30.In this instance, only the vows that are necessary to be absolved for the sake of the Sabbath may be absolved on the Sabbath, since there is nothing preventing one from absolving the other vows on the following day (Maggid Mishneh).
31.Sefer HaMitzvot (Negative Commandment 322) and Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 114) count this commandment as one of the 613 mitzvot of the Torah.
Note the Magen Avraham 339:3, which questions the Rambam's statements, asking why lashes that do not involve the violation of the Sabbath laws ares included in this prohibition. He explains that it is inevitable that the administration of lashes will result in bleeding.
Alternatively, the commandment teaches us that no cases of this nature may be judged on the Sabbath. The Minchat Chinuch (Mitzvah 114) favors this answer, for it also resolves another problem: Why is this restriction given the status of a separate mitzvah? Since the principle that the observance of a positive commandment does not supersede the observance of the Sabbath laws is already known, why is it necessary for the Torah to give us this commandment?
32.In his gloss on the Mishneh Torah, Rabbi Akiva Eiger notes that there is a principle that a person who refrains from performing a positive commandment should be beaten until he agrees to perform it. Since these blows are not given as punishment, but rather as a prod to motivate the person to observe the commandments, they may be administered on the Sabbath.
33.The Maggid Mishneh states that this explanation is an original thought developed by the Rambam.
34.The Tzafenat Paneach notes that when considering the minimum size of a pebble one is liable for carrying, Shabbat 81a mentions two opinions: a pebble large enough to throw at an animal and a pebble large enough to throw at a bird. He questions why in Chapter 18, Halachah 11, the Rambam follows the opinion that requires a pebble large enough to throw at an animal, when in this halachah the Rambam mentions a purpose to be served by a pebble large enough to scare away a bird.
In resolution, the Tzafenat Paneach explains that a pebble large enough to scare away a bird can serve a purpose as mentioned in this halachah. Nevertheless, as stated in Shabbat 79a, a person will not take the trouble of carrying an article that is tiny. Hence, the minimum measure for which one is liable for carrying must be more substantial.
35.Note the Mishnah Berurah 342:1, which states that this applies only when a person has not accepted the Sabbath. If, however, the person or the community in which he is living has accepted the Sabbath, these activities are forbidden even if a mitzvah is involved.
36.See Chapter 5, Halachah 4, which states that, "There is a doubt whether beyn hash'mashot is considered as part of the day or as part of the night." Although, as mentioned there, we act stringently regarding the observance of Torah prohibitions during this time, certain leniencies are granted regarding Rabbinic prohibitions, as the Rambam explains.
37.See S'deh Chemed (K'lalim, Pe'at HaSadeh 2:2) and others, who question whether or not the leniencies mentioned by the Rambam apply both beyn hash'mashot on Friday and beyn hash'mashot on Saturday. There is room to differentiate between them, because during beyn hash'mashot on Friday, the prohibition against these activities has not yet taken effect. On Saturday evening, by contrast, since the prohibitions have been in effect throughout the Sabbath, one might think that they need not be relaxed until the Sabbath has definitely concluded. Shulchan Aruch HaRav 342:1 rules that one may follow the more lenient view. See also the Be'ur Halachah 342 who mentions this issue.
38.Significantly, most manuscript copies of the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Eruvin 3:3) state that the prohibitions in the category of sh'vut do not apply during beyn hash'mashot, without mentioning the qualification that the matter must be pressing or involve a mitzvah. In one of his responsa (Birkat Avraham, Responsum 14), Rabbenu Avraham, the Rambam's son, explains that the Rambam changed his perspective when composing the Mishneh Torah and adopted a more stringent view than he had originally held.
39.This is forbidden as a sh'vut, as stated in Chapter 21, Halachah 6.
40.This is forbidden as a sh'vut, as stated in Chapter 23, Halachah 5.
41.This refers to an eruv t'chumim (which allows a person to extend his Sabbath boundary), as stated in Hilchot Eruvin 6:9-10. Hilchot Eruvin 6:13, the Rambam states that during beyn hash'mashot, only an eruv chatzerot (which allows a person to carry in an enclosed area) may be made, but not an eruv t'chumim). The present ruling does not, however, represent a change of opinion. It is referring to an instance where the eruv was made before the commencement of the Sabbath, and the person merely desired to move it on the Sabbth.
42.Note the Birkat Avraham, loc. cit.,, which states that, even though tithing is itself a mitzvah, there is no obligation to tithe at a particular time. Here, the intent is that carrying out the activity beyn hash'mashot will allow the performance of a mitzvah that could not otherwise be performed. If that is true regarding tithing produce that definitely has not been tithed - e.g., to provide one with food for the Sabbath - one may separate tithes beyn hash'mashot.
43.As mentioned in Chapter 23, Halachot 9 and 14.
44.See Chapter 23, Halachah 15. Although tithing this produce involves a shvut and there is no mitzvah involved, this tithing is permitted, because the prohibition against using the produce is not that severe.
45.The Rambam's rulings here have aroused the attention of the commentaries. To understand his perspective, it is worthy to quote Chapter 12, Halachah 7:
Should a child desire to extinguish [a fire], he should not be allowed if he is acting on his father's behalf. If he is acting on his own initiative, the court is not obligated to restrain him.
Relevant concepts are also reflected in the Rambam's rulings, Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 17:27- 28:
[When] a minor eats a forbidden food or performs a [forbidden] labor on the Sabbath, the court is not obligated to restrain him, for he is not of intellectual maturity.
When does the above apply? When [the child] acts on his own initiative. We may not, however, feed him [forbidden food] ourselves. This applies even to foods that are forbidden because of Rabbinic decree. Similarly, it is forbidden to accustom him to desecrating the Sabbath, even regarding matters that are forbidden as a sh'vut.
Although the court is not obligated to restrain a child [from eating forbidden foods], the [child's] father is obligated to rebuke him... to train him [to conduct himself] in a holy manner.
According to the Rambam, the court is never obligated to restrain a child from performing a prohibited act, regardless of whether it originates from the Torah itself, or from Rabbinic decree. The child's father, however, is obligated to educate him. If the father fails to do so, the court should rebuke the father if he allows his child to violate prohibitions that stem from the Torah. If, however, the prohibitions stem from Rabbinic law, the court is not obligated to rebuke the father.
This explanation of the Rambam's approach is based on the statements of Rav Yosef Karo in the Kessef Mishneh and on his rulings in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 343:1). The Ramah (based on Tosafot, Shabbat 121a) introduces a different perspective: that when a child has reached an age when it is fit to educate him in the performance of the mitzvot, the obligation to educate him falls on the court as well. Therefore, they are obligated to restrain him from transgressing Jewish law.
46.In this and in the following halachah, the Rambam sets the conceptual basis for the prohibitions described as muktzeh. The particular laws that result from these principles are described in the following two chapters.
47.See the notes on the beginning of Chapter 21, which use this halachah as a support for the principle that the positive commandment to rest on the Sabbath is more than just a restatement of the negative commandment not to perform forbidden labor.
48.Walking, talking, and carrying.
49.The three reasons mentioned by the Rambam are the product of his own original thought. The Ra'avad notes that the Talmud (Shabbat 124b) mentions a further reason: lest one come to carry articles from one domain to another.
The Maggid Mishneh explains that the Rambam did not intend to negate the reason mentioned by the Talmud. Nevertheless, as Shabbat 123b mentions, the prohibition originally instituted was partially relaxed. The reasons why it was not relaxed entirely are stated by the Rambam.
50.The Rambam's wording implies that it is forbidden for a person to carry an article unless his act is purposeful. (See Chapter 25, Halachah 3 regarding which purposes are acceptable.) One may not carry a utensil, even one that is used for a permitted activity, without a purpose. (See also the gloss of the Maggid Mishneh on that halachah.)
Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Five
1
There are utensils that are used for permitted purposes - i.e., a utensil that may be used on the Sabbath for the same purpose for which it is used during the week - e.g., a cup to drink from, a bowl to eat from, a knife to cut meat or bread, a hatchet to crack open nuts,1 and the like.
א
יש כלי שמלאכתו להיתר והוא הכלי שמותר לעשות בו בשבת דבר שנעשה לו בחול. כגון כוס לשתות בו וקערה לאכול בה וסכין לחתוך בו בשר ופת וקורנס לפצוע בו אגוזים וכיוצא בהן:
2
There are utensils that are used for forbidden purposes - i.e., a utensil that is forbidden to be used on the Sabbath for the same purpose that it is [ordinarily] used - e.g., a grinder, a mill, and the like - for it is forbidden to crush or grind on the Sabbath.
ב
ויש כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור והוא הכלי שאסור לעשות בו בשבת דבר שנעשה בו. כגון מכתשת וריחים וכיוצא בהן שאסור לכתוש ולטחון בשבת:
3
All utensils used for purposes that are permitted may be carried on the Sabbath, whether they are made of wood, earthenware, stone, or metal. [They may be moved] for the sake of the utensil, for the use of the place [it occupies], or to use it [for a purpose that is permitted].2
All utensils used for purposes that are forbidden, whether they are made of wood, earthenware, stone, or metal may be moved [with certain restrictions]. [Such a utensil may be moved] for the use of the place [it occupies], or to use it [for a purpose that is permitted]. It is, however, forbidden [to move it] for its own sake.3
ג
כל כלי שמלאכתו להיתר בין היה של עץ או של חרס או של אבן או של מתכת מותר לטלטלו בשבת. בין בשביל עצמו של כלי בין לצורך מקומו בין לצורך גופו. וכל כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור בין היה של עץ או של חרס או של אבנים או של מתכת מותר לטלטלו בשבת בין לצורך גופו בין לצורך מקומו אבל בשביל עצמו של כלי אסור:
4
What is implied? One may move a wooden bowl to eat from it, to sit in the place [where it is located], or so that it will not be stolen. The latter is [what is meant by the expression] "for the sake of [the utensil] itself."
Similarly, [a utensil] may be taken out of the sun so that it will not become parched and break. It may also be removed from the rain so that it will not become saturated with water and deteriorate. These are considered "for the sake of [the utensil] itself" and are permitted, since the tasks performed with this utensil are permitted.
ד
כיצד מטלטל הוא את הקערה של עץ לאכול בה או לישב במקומה או כדי שלא תגנב. וזה הוא בשביל עצמה. וכן אם טלטל אותה מן החמה כדי שלא תתייבש ותשבר או מן הגשמים כדי שלא תתפח ותפסד הרי זה מטלטל בשביל עצמה ומותר מפני שמלאכתה להיתר:
5
Similarly, one may move a mill or a grinder4 in order to crack nuts open on it5 or to climb up to a couch on it. This is [what is meant by the expression] "to use it [for a purpose that is permitted]."
[Similarly, one may move it] to sit in the place where it is located. One may not, however, move it so that it will not break, so that it will not be stolen, or the like.
ה
וכן מטלטל הוא הריחים או המכתשת לשבר עליה אגוזים או לעלות עליה למטה. וזה הוא לצורך גופו או לישב במקומו. אבל אינו מטלטלה כדי שלא תשבר ולא כדי שלא תגנב וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
6
Any entity that is not a utensil - e.g., stones, money, rods, beams, and the like - is forbidden to be carried.6 [Nevertheless,] even a large stone or a large beam that requires ten people to carry it, if it is deemed a utensil7 it may be carried.8
The doors of a house are considered to be utensils; they have not, however, been prepared for use.9 Therefore, if they are detached - even on the Sabbath10 - they may not be moved.
Earth, sand, and a corpse11 may not be moved from their place. Similarly, an infant born in the eighth month, [although] he is alive, is considered as a stone and it is forbidden to move him.12
ו
וכל שאינו כלי כגון אבנים ומעות וקנים וקורות וכיוצא בהן אסור לטלטלן. אבן גדולה או קורה גדולה אף על פי שהיא ניטלת בעשרה בני אדם אם יש תורת כלי עליה מטלטלים אותה. דלתות הבית אע"פ שהן כלים לא הוכנו לטלטל לפיכך אם נתפרקו אפילו בשבת אין מטלטלין אותן. וכן העפר והחול והמת אין מזיזין אותן ממקומן. ובן שמנה חי הרי הוא כאבן ואסור לטלטלו:
7
It is permitted to carry a utensil to perform tasks other than those for which it is intended to be used. What is implied? One may take a hammer to crack nuts, a hatchet to cut a dried fig, a saw to cut cheese, a rake to collect dried figs, a winnowing shovel or a pitchfork to feed a child, a spindle or a weaver's shuttle to pierce with, a sack-maker's needle to pick a lock,13 or a mill-stone to sit on.14 The same principle applies in other similar situations.
ז
מותר לטלטל הכלי אפילו שלא לצורך תשמישו אלא לעשות בו מלאכה שלא נעשה לתשמישה. כיצד נוטל אדם קורנס לפצוע בו אגוזים. קורדום לחתוך בו דבילה. מגירה לגרר בה את הגבינה. מגרפה לגרוף בה את הגרוגרות. את הרחת ואת המזלג לתת עליו אוכל לקטן. את הכוש ואת הכרכר לתחוב בו. מחט של סקאין לפתוח בו את הדלת. את המכתשת לישב עליה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
8
A person may carry a sewing needle that is whole to remove a splinter.15 If, however, its head or its point has been broken off, it may not be carried.16 If it is still in an incomplete state and its head has not been pierced, it may be carried.17
ח
ומטלטל אדם מחט של יד השלימה ליטול בה את הקוץ. אבל אם ניטל הקצה הנקוב שלה או הקצה החד שלה אין מטלטלין אותה. ואם היתה גולם ועדיין לא ניקבה מותר לטלטלה:
9
Whenever a person is careful [not to use] a utensil lest its value depreciate - e.g., utensils that are set aside as merchandise,18 or very expensive utensils of which one is extremely careful lest they spoil - carrying it is forbidden on the Sabbath.19 This [category] is referred to as muktzeh [lest] financial loss [be caused].
[Included in this category are] a large saw, the knife-like point of a plow, a butcher's knife, a leather-worker's knife, a carpenter's plane, a perfume-maker's mortar,20 and the like.
ט
כל כלי שמקפיד עליו שמא יפחתו דמיו כגון כלים המוקצים לסחורה וכלים היקרים ביותר שמקפיד עליהן שמא יפסדו אסור לטלטלן בשבת וזה הוא הנקרא מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס. כגון המסר הגדול ויתד של מחרישה וסכין של טבחים וחרב של אושכפים וחצין החרשים וקורנס של בשמים וכיוצא בהן:
10
All utensils that were set aside because of [an association with] a prohibited [activity] are forbidden to be carried. For example, it is forbidden [to move] a lamp that was kindled for the Sabbath,21 a candelabra upon which a lamp was placed, or a table on which money was lying.22
[Moreover,] even if the candle is extinguished or if the money falls, [the prohibition remains intact]. Whenever an article is forbidden to be carried beyn hash'mashot [on Friday], it remains forbidden to be carried throughout the entire Sabbath23, even though the factor that caused it to become forbidden is no longer present.
י
כל כלי שהוקצה מחמת האיסור אסור לטלטלו. כגון נר שהדליקו בו בשבת והמנורה שהיה הנר עליה ושלחן שהיו עליו מעות אף על פי שכבה הנר או שנפלו המעות אסור לטלטלן. שכל כלי שהיה אסור לטלטלו בין השמשות נאסר לטלטלו כל השבת כלה אף על פי שהלך הדבר שגרם לו האיסור:
11
In contrast, a utensil that is set aside because it is repulsive - e.g., a used kerosene lamp,24 a chamber pot, or the like - may be carried on25 the Sabbath26 if it is required.27
יא
אבל כלי המוקצה מחמת מיאוסו כגון נר ישן של נפט וכלי הצואה וכיוצא בהן מותר לטלטלן בשבת אם הוצרך להן:
12
The doors of any utensil28 that may be carried on the Sabbath - e.g., the doors of a box, a chest, or a cabinet - may themselves be carried [on the Sabbath], regardless of whether they were removed on the Sabbath or before the Sabbath.29
Similarly, whenever a utensil that can be carried on the Sabbath breaks, whether before the Sabbath or on the Sabbath,30 its broken pieces may be carried on the Sabbath, provided these pieces can be used for a purpose that resembles the purpose for which they could be used [originally].31
What is implied? The broken pieces of a kneading trough can be used to cover the opening of a jug. Broken pieces of glass can be used to cover the opening of a flask. The same rules apply in other similar situations. If, by contrast, the broken pieces are unfit for any purposeful use, it is forbidden to carry them.32
יב
כל הכלים הניטלין בשבת שנתפרקו דלתותיהן כגון דלתות שידה תיבה ומגדל בין שנתפרקו בשבת בין שנתפרקו קודם השבת מותר לטלטל אותן דלתות. וכן כל הכלים הניטלין בשבת שנשברו בין קודם השבת בין בשבת שבריהן נטלין והוא שיהיו שבריהן עושין מעין מלאכתן. כיצד שברי עריבה לכסות בהן את פי החבית. שברי זכוכית לכסות בהן את פי הפך וכן כל כיוצא בזה. אבל אם אין השברים ראויין למלאכה כלל אסור לטלטלן:
13
All the covers of utensils may be carried on the Sabbath, provided they, themselves, are considered to be utensils.33
[The following rules apply regarding] utensils that are attached to the ground - e.g., a barrel imbedded in the earth:34 If its cover has a handle, it may be carried. If not, it may not be carried. Similarly, the coverings of cisterns and ditches should not be carried35 unless they have a handle.36 The covering of an oven [by contrast] may be carried, even though it does not have a handle.37
יג
כל כסויי הכלים נטלים בשבת והוא שיש תורת כלי עליהן. היה כלי מחובר בקרקע כגון חבית הטמונה בארץ. אם יש בכיסוי שלה בית אחיזה מטלטלין אותו ואם לאו אין מטלטלין אותו. וכן כסויי הקרקעות כגון בורות וחריצין אין מטלטלין כסוי שלהן אלא אם כן יש לו בית אחיזה. כיסוי התנור אף על פי שאין לו בית אחיזה מותר לטלטלו:
14
[The following rules apply when] there are two entities, one permitted to be carried and one forbidden to be carried - one adjacent to the other, one on top of the other, or one within the other - and when one is moved the other will also be moved:38 If a person requires the article that is permitted [to be carried], he may move it, even though the forbidden article is drawn after it. If he requires to move the forbidden article, he should not move it by moving the permitted article.
יד
שני דברים אחד אסור לטלטלו ואחד מותר לטלטלו והן סמוכים זה לזה או זה על זה או זה בזה ובזמן שמטלטלין אחד מהן יטלטל השני. אם היה צריך לדבר שמותר לטלטלו מטלטלו ואף על פי שדבר האסור מיטלטל עמו. ואם צריך לטלטל דבר האסור לא יטלטלנו באותו דבר המותר:
15
What is implied? When a fig39 is buried in straw40 or a cake is lying upon coals, one may pierce them with a spindle or a weaver's shuttle and remove them, even though the straw or the coals41 will be moved on the Sabbath when one removes them.
Similarly, if a turnip or a radish42 is buried in [loose] earth and a portion of its leaves is protruding,43 one may pull out [the vegetables] on the Sabbath, even though the earth is dislodged. Conversely, however, if a loaf of bread or a child is [located] on a stone or beam, one may not carry the stone or beam because of the child or the loaf of bread.44 Similar rules apply in other analogous situations.
טו
כיצד פגה שהיתה טמונה בתבן וחררה שהיתה על גבי גחלים תוחבן בכוש או בכרכר ונוטלן ואף על פי שהתבן והגחלים ננערים בשבת בשעת נטילה. וכן לפת או צנונות שהיו טמונים בעפר ומקצת העלים מגולים שומטן בשבת בעלה שלהן ואף על פי שהעפר ננער. אבל אם היה ככר או תינוק על גבי האבן או על גבי הקורה לא יטלטל האבן או הקורה בככר או בתינוק שיש עליה וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
16
A person may pick up his son if [the son] yearns for [his father],45 despite the fact that the son is holding a stone.46This, however, is not [permitted] if [the son] is holding a dinar,47 lest it fall and the father [pick it up and] carry it.48
When a basket has a hole and a stone has been used to plug the hole,49 [the basket] may be carried, because the stone is considered as its wall.
[The following rules apply when] a basket is filled with fruit and a stone [is discovered] among the fruit:50 If the fruit is soft - e.g., grapes or berries - the basket may be carried as it is.51 If one spills out the fruit, it would be spoiled by the earth, and [our Sages] did not [apply] their decree in an instance where a loss would be caused.52
טז
נוטל אדם את בנו שיש לו געגועין עליו והאבן בידו אבל לא דינר שאם יפול הדינר יטלנו האב בידו. כלכלה שהיתה נקובה וסתם נקב שלה באבן מותר לטלטלה שהרי האבן נעשית כדופן. היתה הכלכלה מלאה פירות והאבן בתוך הפירות אם היו הפירות רטובים כגון ענבים ותותים נוטל אותה כמות שהיא שאם ינער הפירות יטנפו בעפר ובמקום הפסד לא גזרו:
17
When a person forgets a stone on the opening of a jug, he may tilt the jug to the side [so that the stone] falls.53 If the jug with the stone upon it is standing among other jugs,54 it should be lifted to another place, and then tilted to the side [so that the stone] falls. Similarly, if one forgets money on a pillow that one needs, one may shake the pillow [so that the money] falls.55 If one needs [to use] the place where the pillow [is located], one may remove the pillow [although] the money is upon it.
When, by contrast, one56 [intentionally] places money on a pillow57 on Friday or places a stone on the opening of a jug, it is forbidden to carry them.58 [This applies even when later] the stone or the money is removed, for [the pillow or the jug] has become the base for a forbidden article.
יז
חבית ששכח אבן על פיה מטה על צדה והיא נופלת. היתה בין החביות והאבן עליה מגביהה למקום אחר ומטה על צדה שם והאבן נופלת. וכן השוכח מעות על הכר וצריך לכר נוער את הכר והן נופלות. ואם צריך למקום הכר נוטל את הכר והמעות עליו. אבל אם הניח המעות מערב שבת על הכר או הניח האבן על פי החבית הרי אלו אסורין לטלטלן ואפילו ניטלו המעות והאבן שהרי נעשו בסיס לדבר האסור:
18
[The following rule applies to] a stone that is placed in an earthenware59 bucket [as a weight]:60 If it does not fall out when one draws water [with the bucket], it is considered part of the bucket and one is permitted to draw water with it. If not, one may not draw water with it.61 A garment that is [hanging] on a reed62 may be slipped off the reed.63
יח
האבן שבקרויה אם ממלאין בה ואינה נופלת הרי היא כמקצת הקרויה ומותר למלאת בה ואם לאו אין ממלאין בה. בגד שעל הקנה שומטו מעל הקנה:
19
It is forbidden to carry produce that is forbidden to eat - e.g., produce that has not been tithed, even if the obligation to tithe is only Rabbinic,64 produce separated as the first tithe, from which terumat [ma'aser] has not been separated,65terumah that has contracted ritual impurity,66 produce separated as the second tithe67 or produce that has been consecrated68 and has not been redeemed.
It is, by contrast, permitted to carry d'mai,69 for it is fit to be eaten by the poor, and produce separated as the second tithe or produce that has been consecrated and has been redeemed, but for which an additional fifth of its value has not been given.70
יט
פירות שאסור לאכול כגון פירות שאינם מעושרין אפילו הן חייבין במעשר מדבריהם או מעשר ראשון שלא ניטלה תרומתו או תרומה טמאה או מעשר שני והקדש שלא נפדו כהלכתן אסור לטלטלן. אבל הדמאי הואיל וראוי לעניים וכן מעשר שני והקדש שפדאן אף על פי שלא נתן החומש מותר לטלטלן:
20
An Israelite is allowed to carry terumah, even though it is not appropriate for him. One may carry terumah that has contracted ritual impurity together with terumah that is pure, or together with ordinary produce, if both of them are contained in a single receptacle.71
When does the above apply? When the pure terumah is below [the impure],72 and the [terumah consists of] produce that would be soiled by the ground. Thus, if the container were overturned, it would be spoiled. If, by contrast, the produce is nuts, almonds, or the like, one must overturn the container, take the terumah and the ordinary produce, and leave the impure [terumah].
If one requires the place where the container is located, one may take all the produce at once, regardless of whether the pure [terumah] is located at the top or at the bottom.
כ
מטלטל ישראל התרומה אף על פי שאינה ראויה לו. ומטלטלין תרומה טמאה עם הטהורה או עם החולין אם היו שניהם בכלי אחד. במה דברים אמורים בשהיתה הטהורה למטה והיו פירות המתטנפין בקרקע שאם ינער אותן יפסדו. אבל אם היו אגוזים ושקדים וכיוצא בהן נוער הכלי ונוטל הטהורה או החולין ומניח הטמאה. ואם היה צריך למקום הכלי בין שהטהורה למעלה בין שהיתה למטה מטלטל הכל כאחד
21
[The following rules apply when] a person has in mind [to sit on] a row of stones73 before the commencement of the Sabbath: If he prepares them,74 he is permitted to sit on them on the morrow; if not, that is forbidden.75
When a person gathers the branches of a date palm [to use as kindling] wood, but changes his mind on Friday and decides to use them to sit on [in place of mats], he is allowed to carry them.76 Similarly, if he actually sat upon them77 before the commencement of the Sabbath, it is permitted to carry them.
כא
נדבך של אבנים שחשב עליו מבעוד יום אם למדום מותר לישב עליהן למחר ואם לאו אסור. חריות של דקל שגדרן לעצים ונמלך עליהן מערב שבת לישיבה מותר לטלטלן. וכן אם ישב עליהן מבעוד יום מותר לטלטלן:
22
One may not move straw that is on a bed with one's hands;78one may, however, move it with one's body.79 [Moreover,] if it is [useful as] animal fodder, one is permitted to carry it [by hand]. Similarly, if a pillow or a sheet is placed upon it, it is considered as if one had sat on it before the commencement of the Sabbath,80 and one may move it by hand.
[The following rules apply when] a person has brought a container [filled]81 with earth into his home: If he sets aside a corner for it on Friday,82 he may carry it on the Sabbath, and use it for all his needs.83
כב
הקש שעל המטה לא ינענענו בידו אבל מנענעו בגופו. ואם הוא מאכל בהמה מותר לטלטלו. וכן אם היה עליו כר או סדין וכיוצא בהן מנענעו בידו שהרי נעשה כמי שישב עליו מבעוד יום. המכניס קופה של עפר בביתו אם ייחד לה קרן זוית מערב שבת מטלטלו בשבת ועושה בו כל צרכיו:
23
It is forbidden to negate the possibility of using a utensil, since this is comparable to destroying [it]. What is implied? A person should not place a receptacle below a lamp on the Sabbath to receive any oil that drips. For the oil in the lamp is forbidden to be carried, and when it falls into the receptacle it will cause the receptacle that had been permitted to become forbidden.84 The same applies in all analogous situations.
For this reason, a receptacle may not be placed below a chicken to receive the eggs it lays.85 One may, however, cover [the eggs] with an [overturned] utensil.86 Similarly, one may use an overturned utensil to cover any article that is forbidden to be carried, for by doing so one has not negated its use.87 Should one desire to take [the overturned article], one may.
כג
אסור לבטל כלי מהיכנו מפני שהוא כסותר. כיצד לא יתן כלי תחת הנר בשבת לקבל את השמן הנוטף. שהשמן שבנר אסור לטלטלו וכשיפול לכלי יאסר טלטול הכלי שהיה מותר וכן כל כיוצא בזה. לפיכך אין נותנין כלי תחת התרנגולת לקבל ביצתה. אבל כופה הוא הכלי עליה. וכן כופה הכלי על כל דבר שאסור לטלטלו שהרי לא בטלו שאם יחפוץ יטלנו.
24
One may place a receptacle under dripping water88 to collect it.89 If the receptacle becomes full, one may pour out the water and return [the receptacle to its place] without hesitation.90
[The above applies] only when the dripping water is fit to use for bathing.91 If the water is not fit [for washing], one should not place a receptacle there.92 [Nevertheless, after the fact,] should one have placed a receptacle there, one may carry it together with the repulsive water it contains.93 [The reason for the restriction against placing the receptacle there is] that we do not create a repulsive situation94 at the outset.95
כד
נותנין כלי נותנין כלי תחת הדלף ואם נתמלא הכלי שופך ושונה ואינו נמנע. והוא שיהיה הדלף ראוי לרחיצה אבל אם אינו ראוי אין נותנין ואם נתן מותר לטלטלו במים המאוסין שבו. שאין עושין גרף של רעי לכתחלה:
25
Should a barrel containing [wine or oil] that is tevel,96 be broken [on the Sabbath], one may bring a receptacle and place it under [the barrel]. [By doing so, one is not considered to have nullified the possibility of using the receptacle,] since were one to transgress and separate [the terumah and tithes as required], the produce would be permitted for use.97.
A receptacle may be placed below a candle to collect the sparks that fall, for [the sparks] have no substance. In such an instance, it is permissible to move the receptacle.98
When a beam breaks, we should not support it with a bench or a bed post99 unless there is ample space [between the beams] and one can remove [the bench or the bed post] whenever one desires,100 so that one will not nullify a utensil from the possibility of being used.
One may spread a mat over stones or over a beehive on the Sabbath in the summer, [as protection] from the sun, and in the rainy season, [as protection] from the rain, provided that one has no intention of snaring [the bees].101 [By doing so, one is not considered to have nullified the possibility of using the receptacle] because one may remove [the mat] whenever one desires.
On the Sabbath one may overturn a basket onto which chicks102 may climb and descend, since103 one is permitted to carry [the basket] after they descend.104 Similar rules apply in all analogous situations.
כה
חבית של טבל שנשברה מביא כלי ומניח תחתיה הואיל ואם עבר ותקנו מתוקן הרי הוא כמתוקן. ונותנין כלי תחת הנר לקבל ניצוצות מפני שאין בהן ממש ומותר לטלטל הכלי. קורה שנשברה אין סומכין אותה בספסל או בארוכות המטה אלא אם כן היו רווחים וכל זמן שיחפוץ יטלם כדי שלא יבטל כלי מהיכנו. פורסין מחצלת על גבי אבנים בשבת או על גבי כוורת דבורים בחמה מפני החמה ובגשמים מפני הגשמים ובלבד שלא יתכוין לצוד שהרי נוטלה בכל עת שירצה. וכופין את הסל בשבת לפני האפרוחים בשביל שיעלו עליו וירדו שהרי מותר לטלטלו כשירדו מעליו וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
26
[The following rules apply when] an animal falls into a cistern or into a water conduit [from which it cannot ascend on its own]: If one can supply it with its needs while it is there, one should do so until Saturday night. If not, one may bring cushions and blankets and place them beneath it. If this [enables the animal] to ascend, there is no difficulty. Although one is nullifying the possibility of using a utensil - for one is throwing it into a cistern [filled with] water105 - [our Sages did] not institute a decree [in this instance], because of the suffering [the] animal endures.
[Regardless of the circumstances,] it is forbidden to lift the animal up by hand.106 Similarly, one may not lift up an animal, beast, or fowl in a courtyard.107 One may, however, push them until they enter.
One may support108 calves and ponies as they walk. One may not, however, hold a chicken that fled [as one directs] it [to return to its coop]. [This prohibition was instituted] because [the chicken tries] to free itself from [the person's] hand, and [in the process, causes] its wings to be torn off.109 One may, however, push it until it enters [its coop].
כו
בהמה שנפלה לבור או לאמת המים אם יכול ליתן לה פרנסה במקומה מפרנסין אותה עד מוצאי שבת ואם לאו מביא כרים וכסתות ומניח תחתיה ואם עלתה עלתה. ואף על פי שמבטל כלי מהיכנו שהרי משליכו לבור לתוך המים מפני צער בעלי חיים לא גזרו. ואסור להעלותה בידו. וכן אין עוקרין בהמה וחיה ועוף בחצר אבל דוחין אותן עד שיכנסו. ומדדין עגלים וסייחים. תרנגולת שברחה אין מדדין אותן מפני שהיא נשמטת מן היד ונמצאו אגפיה נתלשין אבל דוחין אותה עד שתכנס
FOOTNOTES
1.In many manuscript copies of the Mishneh Torah, the text reads "a hammer to crack open nuts." A blacksmith's hammer is considered as a utensil that is used for purposes that are forbidden (see Halachah 7). Nevertheless, a hammer specifically used to crack nuts is placed in a different category. The need to make this distinction is avoided by our version of the text which refers to a hatchet.
2.As mentioned in the conclusion of the previous chapter, the Maggid Mishneh interprets the Rambam's statements as meaning that we are not allowed to carry a utensil for no purpose at all, even one that is generally used for a permitted purpose. This law is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:4).
3.There are, however, several leniencies suggested by the later authorities - e.g., using such a utensil for a permitted purpose and then placing it down where one desires (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:12; Mishnah Berurah 308:16). Alternatively, one may move it with one's feet or in a manner that is considered irregular (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:15).
4.I.e., utensils that are used for a forbidden purpose, as mentioned in Halachah 2.
5.After one picks up such a utensil and uses it for a permitted purpose, one may continue carrying it and place it wherever one desires (Maggid Mishneh).
6.They may not be moved at all, even if one desires to use them for a purpose that is permitted, or one requires the place that they are occupying (Ramah, Orach Chayim 308:7).
7.I.e., as indicated in the subsequent halachot, if a person set aside or prepared a stone or board for a specific purpose, it is considered a utensil and may be moved on the Sabbath.
8.No matter how large a utensil is, it is permitted to be carried it on the Sabbath if one would ordinarily carry such a utensil during the week (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 308:2). (See, however, Chapter 26, Halachah 11, and notes.)
9.Shabbat 122b differentiates between the doors of a chest - which are permitted to be carried if removed on the Sabbath (see Halachah 12) - and the doors of a house, which are not. The Rambam explains that the reason for this distinction is that, even though the doors of a house are considered utensils, it is unlikely that before the Sabbath commenced, one considered using them on the Sabbath. Therefore, they are considered muktzeh, as is explained in Halachah 9 and notes.
Rashi, by contrast, maintains that these doors are not utensils, and that is the reason it is forbidden to carry them.
10.The Rambam uses the word "even" both here and in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 17:1). It would appear that his intent is that it is taken for granted that doors that were removed before the Sabbath and were not prepared to be used for another purpose may not be used on the Sabbath. Even doors that were removed on the Sabbath and had been used as doors on this Sabbath may not be carried if they are removed.
11.See the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 311), which mentions certain leniencies regarding moving a corpse if one fears that it will begin to decompose.
12.Yevamot 80b states that a child born after only eight months will surely die. Therefore, even while he is still living, it is forbidden to carry him on the Sabbath.
Tosafot, Shabbat 135a, states that this ruling is no longer followed, since at present it is impossible to determine exactly when a child was conceived. Therefore, we cannot be certain of the length of time the mother was pregnant. Furthermore, the advances in medical technology have enabled us to save the lives of many babies who would surely not have survived in previous generations. At present, it is a mitzvah to attempt to save the lives of all premature babies, even if doing so involves performing a forbidden labor on the Sabbath.
13.Our translation of the above terms is based on the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 17:2).
14.Significantly, this is the only one of the examples given by the Rambam that is not mentioned in the Mishnah (op. cit.). The Rabbis cite Eruvin 102b or Shabbat 124b as possible sources.
15.In his Commentary on the Mishnah (loc. cit.), the Rambam uses this statement as proof that there is no prohibition against removing a splinter on the Sabbath.
16.Because it is no longer useful as a utensil (Shabbat 123a). Thus it resembles a stone which cannot be carried on the Sabbath. See Halachah 12.
17.Since there are times when it is preserved in this state for the purpose of removing thorns and the like (Rashi, Shabbat, loc. cit.).
18.Note Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:3, which states that not all utensils that are set aside as merchandise are intended solely for that purpose. Many storekeepers consider making personal use of the wares in their shops. In such an instance, one would be allowed to move the article on the Sabbath.
19.The word muktzeh means "set aside." Since a person would ordinarily have no thought of using such a utensil on the Sabbath, it is placed in this category. Even if he changes his mind afterwards and decides to use it on the Sabbath, this is forbidden. Since at the commencement of the Sabbath it was not his intent to use it, it may not be moved for the entire day.
The commentaries compare this law regarding merchandise to Chapter 26, Halachah 14, which states that food, even when set aside to be sold, is never considered muktzeh.
20.All these utensils are used for professional purposes that are forbidden on the Sabbath. Since they are delicate instruments, their owners will not use them for other purposes, lest they become damaged.
21.For these same reasons, it is forbidden to use the oil in the lamp, as stated in Chapter 5, Halachah 12.
It must be emphasized that, because the articles mentioned in this halachah were involved with the performance of a forbidden activity on the Sabbath itself, the prohibitions governing it are more severe than those applying to an article used for a forbidden labor. It is forbidden to move the articles mentioned in this halachah, even when it is necessary to use the place where they are located or one desires to use them for a permitted purpose.
22.As evident from Halachah 17, the present halachah refers to an instance when money was intentionally placed on the table. If it was forgotten there, more lenient rules apply.
23.Rashi, Beitzah 26b, derives this concept from Exodus 16:5, "On Friday, they will prepare what they have brought," which implies that the Sabbath preparations are completed on Friday, before the Sabbath's commencement. An article that is not prepared for use at that time may not be used throughout the Sabbath.
24.Kerosene produces an unpleasant odor. Therefore, even a metal lamp that uses it for fuel is considered repulsive.
25.This halachah grants permission to carry the repulsive article for other purposes. One is allowed to remove an article that contains filth from a room regardless, as stated in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 279:6, 308:34-35).
26.Although one would generally not think of using such a utensil because it is repulsive, since its use is not totally out of the question, it is not forbidden as muktzeh. According to the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:35), however, this leniency does not apply to a chamber pot. It is considered as too repulsive to use for other purposes.
27.Note the gloss of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, which states that it appears that such entities may be moved only when one desires to use them for a purpose and not when one merely desires to use the place in which they are being kept. The Mishnah Beruah 279:19, however, differs and also permits moving the article when one desires to use its place.
28.Compare to Halachah 6.
29.The Merkevet HaMishneh notes that in this clause the Rambam mentions "before the Sabbath" after "on the Sabbath," because it is the greater inclusion. Since the doors were not fixed before the Sabbath, one might think that they are no longer considered part of a utensil, and hence it would be forbidden to carry them on the Sabbath. Nevertheless, since they are fit to be attached to their original utensil, they may be moved.
In the following clause, the Rambam mentions "on the Sabbath" after "before the Sabbath," because it is the greater inclusion, as explained in the following note.
30.When an article breaks on the Sabbath and it is no longer fit to be used for its original purpose, there is a difficulty. There is a difference of opinion among the Sages whether an object that is nolad - i.e., "comes into existence initially" on the Sabbath - is permitted or not. Since it was on the Sabbath that it first became possible to use the broken pieces of the utensils for this new purpose, it is possible to consider them as nolad (Magen Avraham 308:14).
The prevailing view is that objects that are nolad are permitted to be moved on the Sabbath. They are, however, forbidden to be moved on a festival. Accordingly, if an article breaks on a festival, it would be forbidden to move its broken pieces even if they were fit to be used for a constructive (other than one resembling the article's original) purpose Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:24].
It must, however, be noted that the Magen Avraham's conception is not accepted by all authorities. Many maintain that since these pieces were always fit for use - either as part of the larger utensil or in their own right - they should not be considered nolad (Be'ur Halachah 308).
31.Our translation follows the standard printed text of the Mishneh Torah, even though there appears to be a printing error. To explain: In the Mishnah (Shabbat 17:5), there is a difference of opinion between the Sages. The first opinion of the Mishnah states that the broken pieces of a utensil may be carried provided they can be used for any constructive purpose. Rabbi Yehudah differs and maintains that the broken pieces may be carried only when they can be used for a purpose that resembles the intent for which they had originally been used.
Although the wording of the standard printed text follows Rabbi Yehudah's opinion, the examples he gives and the continuation of the halachah follow the other view. Significantly, many manuscripts and early printings of the Mishneh Torah state "provided the pieces can be used for a constructive purpose."
Although the Baal Halachot Gedolot and other sages of the early generations follow Rabbi Yehudah's opinion, in the later generations almost all the authorities accept the other view.
32.For they are no longer a utensil, and hence may not be carried, as stated in Halachah 6. Note the Ramah (Orach Chayim 308:6), who mentions that if the broken pieces of the utensil present a danger, they may be moved.
33.With the latter clause, the Rambam excludes objects that were never used as the coverings of utensils before the Sabbath, nor were they prepared for to be used for this purpose. Furthermore, if it is not common practice to use an object for this purpose - e.g., a stone - it may not be moved on the Sabbath despite the fact that it was used as a covering several times during the week (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:36).
(See also Rashi (Shabbat 126b), who states that we may carry a cover only when it is fit to be used as a utensil in its own right. His opinion is not shared by other authorities.)
34.According to the Maggid Mishneh, this refers to a utensil that is buried entirely within the ground and does not protrude at all. Since it is built in this manner, the Sages apply the laws governing pits and vats to it, lest people be unable to distinguish between them. If, however, a utensil that is attached to the ground projects from the ground, its cover does not require a handle, as will be explained (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 308:10).
35.This refers to covers that are not attached with a hinge, as is obvious from Chapter 10, Halachah 14.
36.By mentioning this law in this context, it would appear that the Rambam considers the rationale for the prohibition to be that without handles, the cover is not considered a utensil (Rav David Arameah).
Other authorities explain that when a cover lacks handles, its removal or placement resembles building. If, however, the cover has a handle, it is clearly distinguished as a separate entity that is intended to be handled (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:37; Mishnah Berurah 308:42). The Rambam touches on the latter prohibition, albeit in a slightly different manner, in Chapter 22, Halachah 25.
37.In Talmudic times, an oven was a separate utensil whose base was attached to the ground, but which protruded from the ground entirely. Therefore, it could not be confused with a pit or a vat (Maggid Mishneh). As the structure of ovens has changed throughout the ages, there has also been a variation in the laws governing their covers.
38.Based on Tosafot, Shabbat 43b, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 311:8) describes these laws with the term טלטול מן הצד, "carrying in an indirect manner."
39.An article that is permitted to be carried.
40.An article that is forbidden to be carried, because it is used for construction. More precisely, the term פגה refers to an unripe fig that is placed in the straw to ripen.
41.The commentaries question whether or not this refers to an instance where the coals are burning. Were the coals to be burning, there is the possibility that by removing the cake, one will extinguish the upper coals and cause the lower coals to burn. The Maggid Mishneh quotes Rashi (Eruvin 77a) as explaining that the coals have already been extinguished.
The Kessef Mishneh notes that the wording chosen by the Rambam differs slightly from that of the Talmud. The Talmud states "a cake buried in coals," while the Rambam speaks of a cake "lying on coals." Therefore, he maintains that the law stated by the Rambam applies even when the coals are burning.
Rabbenu Avraham, the Rambam's son (Birkat Avraham, Responsum 9), also shares that opinion, explaining that it is not absolutely necessary that the person will cause the coals to move, and this is not his intention. Therefore, there is no prohibition involved, as stated in Chapter 1, Halachah 5. (See also Hilchot Shegagot, Chapter 7.) Significantly, however, when Rav Yosef Karo mentions these laws in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 311:9), he cites the example of the fig and the straw, but omits mention of the cake and the coals entirely.
42.The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 311:8) emphasizes that this refers to an instance where the vegetables were placed in the earth for storage purposes and they had not yet become rooted there. Were they to have taken root in the earth, it would be forbidden to remove them.
43.If, however, a portion of its leaves is not protruding, it is not permitted to pierce them with a spindle and remove them. By doing so, one would appear to be creating a pit in the earth.
This is the opinion of the Maggid Mishneh. The Magen Avraham 311:21, however, mentions the opinion of the Tosafot, Shabbat 50b, from which it appears that this leniency would be allowed.
44.This is an example of the second principle mentioned in the previous halachah, that one may not carry a forbidden object because of a permitted object lying upon it. Note Chapter 26, Halachah 21, which mentions that exceptions to this principle are made to save a corpse from the heat or from a fire.
45.The bracketed additions were made on the basis of Shabbat 141b.
46.Shabbat 141b explains that this refers to a situation where the son might become sick if his father does not pick him up. If there is no danger of the child's becoming sick, the father is forbidden to pick him up (Magen Avraham 309:1).
47.A coin of the Talmudic period.
48.Shulchan Aruch HaRav 309:2 mentions that it is even forbidden to hold the child by the hand that is not holding the coin.
49.The Magen Avraham 309:3 states that this refers to an instance where one firmly attached the stone in the hole, making it a permanent part of the basket. Otherwise, carrying the stone in the basket is forbidden.
Note the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 21:1), where the Rambam interprets this law and the one that follows as a single concept (as the Ra'avad does in his notes). According to that understanding, the leniency of using the stone as part of a container is permitted only when the basket contains fruit that will spoil if the container is overturned. Thus, the Rambam's decision here reflects a change of mind in favor of a more lenient ruling.
50.The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 309:3) mentions the converse of this principle. When the fruits are firm and will not be spoiled if the basket is overturned and they are spilled to the earth, the basket should be overturned before it is carried.
51.As mentioned above, the Ra'avad objects to this decision, based on his interpretation of Shabbat 142a. The Maggid Mishneh states that according to the text of the Talmud we have, the Ra'avad's interpretation must be accepted. It is, however, possible that the Rambam's text of the Talmud had a different version of this passage. Both the Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 309:3) follow the Rambam's approach.
52.The Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.) also mentions that if one needs to use the place where the basket with the stone is placed, one may move it without overturning it, even though it contains fruit that will not be spoiled. (See Halachot 17 and 20).
53.Shabbat 142b emphasizes that we are required to tilt the jug only when it is moved for the sake of its wine. If one moves it to use the place where it is located, there is no need to dislodge the stones. This ruling is quoted in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 309:5).
54.Were he to tilt the jug there, the falling stone might break other jugs.
55.Shulchan Aruch HaRav 309:6 and the Mishnah Berurah 309:14 emphasize that if one's intent is only that the money should not be stolen, it is forbidden to shake it from the pillow.
56.The Ramah (Orach Chayim 309:4) states that the following restrictions apply only when one places a forbidden article on an article of one's own, and not when one places a forbidden article on an article belonging to a colleague. For a person cannot cause an article belonging to a colleague to become forbidden.
57.Note the Magen Avraham 309:6, which states that the word "intentionally" must be interpreted to mean "for a useful purpose." If, however, a person put down an article on another object intentionally, but with no particular purpose in mind, it is considered as if he forgot it there.
58.Since the article is forbidden beyn hash'mashot, the time of the commencement of the Sabbath, it remains forbidden for the entire Sabbath.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 309:4) also mentions the opinion of Tosafot, who maintain that a base for a forbidden object is created only when one's intent was that the forbidden object remain on the base for the entire Sabbath. If one intended to shake it off the base, or have it transferred by a gentile over the course of the Sabbath, it is not considered a base.
Although the Rambam's opinion is accepted by the later authorities, the more lenient view may be followed if there is a possibility that a loss will be caused - e.g., a lamp falls on a table (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 309:7).
59.Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 17:6) and Hilchot Keilim 20:1. Rashi and others render the Hebrew קרויה as a "gourd."
60.I.e., since the bucket is made of earthenware, it is not necessarily heavy enough to sink. Therefore, the stone is used as a weight.
61.In such an instance, the bucket itself becomes forbidden, because it serves as a base for a forbidden object (Mishnah Berurah 309:8).
62.This refers to a reed that was not altered to serve as a hanger. It is not considered a utensil and is therefore deemed muktzeh.
63.The intent is that one must hold the garment that is not muktzeh, and not the reed that is (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 308:16). The Mishnah Berurah 308:64 mentions that one must remove the garment without moving the reed. It is questionable, however, whether the Rambam would agree to that stringency, for this appears to resemble the other instances of טלטול מן הצד, "carrying in an indirect manner," described above.
64.I.e., produce other than grain, wine, or olive oil.
65.After the tithes have been given to the Levites, they are required to separate a tenth of the produce that they have been given. This produce is given to the priests and is governed by same laws as terumah. (See Numbers 18:25-32.)
66.Once terumah has contracted ritual impurity, the priests are forbidden to partake of it and it must be burnt.
67.The produce separated as the second tithe must be eaten in Jerusalem. When a person lives far from Jerusalem, produce that has been separated as the second tithe can be redeemed by exchanging it for money (Deuteronomy 14:24-27).
68.With the exception of the first fruits (bikkurim), produce is not offered in the Temple. If a person consecrates produce, his intent is that it be sold, and the proceeds given to the Temple.
69.Produce purchased from an individual on whom we cannot depend to have separated tithes.
70.When one redeems the second tithe or consecrated property, it is necessary to add a fifth of its value to the sum. (One pays 125%.) Nevertheless, as long as one has given the value of the produce, it is considered to have been redeemed, and the additional fifth is considered a debt. Note a parallel in Hilchot Eruvin 1:15.
It must, however, be noted that in Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni 5:12, the Rambam writes that the sacred dimension of the second tithe is considered to have departed from the produce after it has been redeemed, even though one has not paid the additional fifth. Nevertheless, one should not partake of this produce, even on the Sabbath, unless one pays that fifth.
In contrast, in Hilchot Arachin 7:3, the Rambam writes that one is permitted to partake of consecrated produce after it has been redeemed, despite the fact that one has not paid the additional fifth.
71.The presence of an article that is forbidden to be carried does not cause the entire container to become forbidden.
72.Our translation follows the standard published text of the Mishneh Torah. The Kessef Mishneh mentions that the version of this halachah in the texts of the Mishneh Torah commonly available in his time read: "When does the above apply? When the impure [terumah] was below...." He, however, prefers the version found in our standard texts, because it parallels the text of Shabbat 141b. Significantly, Rav Kapach notes that both versions appear in ancient manuscripts.
The Maggid Mishneh explains that if the pure terumah is above, one should remove the pure terumah by hand, and then leave the remainder.
73.That were not cemented in place. Hence, there is a possibility that one will move them when one sits down.
The Magen Avraham 308:41 emphasizes that if one will not move the stones when sitting, there is no prohibition. Moreover, the Magen Avraham emphasizes that the prohibition against muktzeh pertains only to carrying objects with one's hands, and not to moving it with one's body. (See the following halachah.) Therefore, the intent in both clauses of this halachah is to carry the stones or the branches in order to sit on them.
74.I.e., performed a deed preparing them.
75.Although the Ramah (Orach Chayim 308:21) desires to equate the row of stones with the date branches, the Magen Avraham (loc. cit.) justifies the Rambam's ruling.
76.In contrast to the previous law, thought is sufficient to change the status of the date branches. This leniency is granted because date branches are often used to sit on. It was the person's thought to use the branches for kindling that caused them to be forbidden. Hence, his thought itself is sufficient to remove that prohibition.
By contrast, a row of stones is generally used for construction and not as a seat. Therefore, one must perform a deed that indicates one's desire to use the row to sit upon. Consequently, in the present era, when it is no longer customary to sit on date branches, in this instance as well one must perform a deed to indicate one's intent (Magen Avraham 306:40).
77.The person did not intend to use them as a mat in the future when he sat upon them. Nevertheless, since date branches are commonly used for that purpose, that is sufficient to cause them to be considered as a useful object (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:51).
78.In the Talmudic era, straw was generally used for the purpose of kindling. Therefore, it is classified as muktzeh. The Magen Avraham 308:53 notes that in his era, straw was used most commonly for animal fodder. Therefore it should not be classified as muktzeh.
79.For the prohibition against moving muktzeh applies only when one moves it with one's hands.
80.I.e., placing the pillow or sheet on it is a clear indication that one intends to use it as a mattress. Note Shulchan Aruch HaRav 311:15 and the Mishneh Berurah 311:31, which state that if one puts straw on a bed with the intention of sleeping on it, one may spread it out by hand.
81.The bracketed addition is made on the basis of the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:35), which states that unless the person sets aside a corner of the house for the earth, it is considered part of the floor of the house. This implies that the person emptied out the container, for otherwise the earth would remain a distinct entity.
82.This act indicates that the person plans to use the earth on the Sabbath. Therefore it is considered a designated article (מוכן). (See Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 2:18.)
83.In the ages prior to household plumbing, earth was necessary to cover urine, feces, and other wastes.
84.This law has already been explained in Chapter 5, Halachah 13. Were one to place the receptacle there before the commencement of the Sabbath, it would be permitted.
85.According to most authorities, nolad, an article that first comes into existence on the Sabbath, is not forbidden. Nevertheless, an egg laid on the Sabbath is forbidden to be moved. This is a decree enacted as a safeguard, lest one move an egg laid on a festival, as explained in the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Beitzah 1:1).
86.One must, however, be careful not to move the forbidden article when covering it (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 310:6; note the gloss of the Ra'avad to this halachah).
87.Although there is an opinion in Shabbat 43a that states that one may carry an article only for the sake of an object that may itself be carried, this opinion is not accepted as halachah (Maggid Mishneh). (Note, however, the gloss of the Kessef Mishneh on Chapter 26, Halachah 22.)
88.I.e., water dripping from a leaking roof or the like.
89.There is no prohibition against carrying rainwater. Thus, in placing the receptacle there one does not nullify the possibility of using the receptacle later (Mishnah Berurah 338:30).
90.This pattern may be repeated any number of times.
91.Water with which one bathes need not be as clean as water that one drinks. Nevertheless, one will not bathe with water that is soiled. Although the Tur (Orach Chayim 338) differs with the Rambam and does not require the water to be clear, the Rambam's view is accepted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 338:8) and the later authorities.
92.The reason for the prohibition against placing a receptacle to collect the water is that one is invalidating the utensil for future use. The commentaries question this decision, noting that ultimately, when the receptacle becomes full, one is permitted to move it because it is repulsive. They explain that this restriction was instituted because, at the outset, it is forbidden to cause an article to become repulsive (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 339:9, Be'ur Halachah 339).
93.These leniencies are granted only within a person's permanent dwelling, as reflected in the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 308:34.
94.Literally, "a chamber pot."
95.Leniency is granted if there is a possibility of loss involved (Shulchan Aruch, loc. cit. 308:37).
96.Produce from Eretz Yisrael from which the agricultural requirements (terumah and the tithes) have not been separated. Until these requirements are separated, the produce is not fit to eat and it is considered as muktzeh as explained in Halachah 19.
97.See Chapter 23, Halachah 15.
98.See Chapter 5, Halachah 13.
99.The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:7) emphasizes that one may use these utensils only to prevent the beam from falling further. It is forbidden to raise the beam to its original position, because that would be considered as if one were building.
100.Unless there is ample space, we fear that the pressure will be so great that it will be impossible to remove them later. Therefore, one will have nullified all future possibilities of using them (Shabbat 43a).
101.Based on Chapter 1, Halachah 6, one must add that the person must place down the mat in a manner that will not inevitably cause the bees to be snared (פסיק רישא). Were that to be the case, the person who places down the mat would be liable for snaring.
102.Which are muktzeh like all animals and fowl.
103.Although one is forbidden to carry the basket while the chicks are in it, one is not considered to have invalidated the possibility of using the receptacle, because one may move it after the chicks descend.
104.If, however, the chicks are in the basket throughout beyn hash'mashot on Friday, the basket becomes muktzeh (Mishnah Berurah 308:148).
105.Rashi and the Rashba (Shabbat 128b) explain the problem differently from the Rambam: that while the animal is standing on the cushions, it is impossible to move them. This interpretation is difficult, because one may move them after the animal departs,. According to the Rambam's interpretation, by contrast, there is no difficulty, because once the cushions are wet, they cannot be used. The Rambam's interpretation is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 305:19).
106.Although the prohibition against carrying an animal by hand is also Rabbinic in origin, it is more severe. Therefore, our Sages did not nullify it despite the suffering caused to the animal.
There are authorities who are more lenient and maintain that even the latter prohibition is waived because of the animal's suffering. The later authorities rule that one may rely on this decision in a situation where a great loss will be incurred. Moreover, they add that all agree that one may instruct a gentile to lift the animal from the cistern. This is preferable to placing the cushions and blankets there (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 305:26; Mishnah Berurah 305:70).
107.Needless to say, this is forbidden in the public domain, because it is forbidden to carry an animal there (Shabbat, loc. cit).
108.I.e., hold them by the necks or shoulders and direct them (Shulchan Aruch, loc. cit. 308:40).
109.This is the Rambam's interpretation of Shabbat (loc. cit.). Rashi and the Ra'avad offer a different rationale for the prohibition against lifting a chicken: that the chicken will lift up its legs from the ground, causing one to carry it. This interpretation is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.).
Shabbat - Chapter Twenty Six
1
All the utensils used for weaving, including the cords and the reeds, may be carried [according to the rules governing] other utensils that are used for forbidden tasks.1 An exception is made regarding the upper weaver's beam and the lower weaver's beam. They may not be carried, because they are [usually] fixed [within the loam].2
Similarly, the pillars [of the loam] may not be moved, lest one fill the hole [in the earth created when they are removed]. It is permitted to move the other utensils of a weaver.3
א
כל כלי האורג וחבליו וקנים שלו מותר לטלטלן ככלי שמלאכתו לאיסור חוץ מכובד העליון וכובד התחתון לפי שאין ניטלין מפני שהן תקועין. וכן העמודים של אורג אסור לטלטלן שמא יתקן הגומות שלהן. ושאר כלי האורג מותרין:
2
Brooms made of date branches and the like, which are used to sweep the ground, are considered utensils that are used for a permitted purpose, since sweeping is permitted on the Sabbath.4
Bricks that remain after a building [was completed] are considered utensils that are used for a permitted purpose, for they are fit to recline upon,5, as is obvious from the fact that they are filed and adjusted for this purpose.6 If, however, one collects them, [it is evident] that they have been set aside [for building], and it is forbidden to carry them.7
ב
מכבדות של תמרה וכיוצא בהן שמכבדין בהן את הקרקע הרי הן ככלי שמלאכתו להיתר שהרי מותר לכבד בשבת. לבנים שנשארו מן הבנין הרי הן ככלי שמלאכתו להיתר מפני שראויין להסב עליהן שהרי שפין אותן ומתקנין אותן. ואם צבר אותן הרי הקצם ואסור לטלטלם:
3
A small shard may be carried, even in the public domain.8[This leniency is granted] because it is fit to be used in a courtyard to cover the opening of a small utensil.9 [When] the stopper of a barrel has been cut off, both it and its broken pieces are permitted to be carried. If one threw it into a garbage dump10 before the commencement of the Sabbath,11 carrying it is forbidden.
When a utensil has been broken [but not shattered into pieces], one should not remove a shard from it to use to cover [another utensil] or to use as a support.
ג
חרס קטנה מותר לטלטלה אפילו ברשות הרבים הואיל וראויה היא בחצר לכסות בה פי כלי קטן. מגופת חבית שנתכתתה היא ושבריה מותר לטלטלה ואם זרקה לאשפה מבעוד יום אסור לטלטלה. כלי שנתרועע לא יתלוש ממנו חרס לכסות בו או לסמוך בו:
4
It is permitted to bring three rounded12 stones into a lavatory to clean oneself.13 Of what size may they be? A fistful.14A clod of earth, by contrast, which is likely to crumble, is forbidden to be taken to clean oneself.15
It is permitted to take these stones up to a roof [so that one will be able] to clean oneself with them.16 When rain descends upon them and they sink in the mud, they may be taken if there is a distinct mark [showing their location].17
[When] a stone has filth on it, one can be certain that it is used to clean oneself. Therefore, carrying it is permitted it even though it is large.18
ד
מותר להכניס לבית הכסא שלש אבנים מקורזלות לקנח בהן וכמה שיעורן כמלוא היד. אבל אדמה שהיא קרובה להתפרך אסור לטלטלה לקנח בה. ומותר להעלות אבנים לגג לקנח בהן. ירדו עליהן גשמים ונשתקעו בטיט אם רישומן ניכר מותר לטלטל. אבן שיש עליה טנוף שודאי לקנח היא מותר לטלטלה ואפילו היא גדולה:
5
Should a person have a choice of [using] a stone or an earthenware shard [to clean himself], one should use the stone.19If, however, the shard comes from the handle of a utensil, one should use the shard.20
[The following rules apply when] a person has a choice of [using] a stone or grass: If the grass is soft, one should use it.21 If not, one should use the stone.22
ה
היה לפניו צרור וחרש מקנח בצרור ואם היה החרש מאוגני כלים מקנח בחרש. היו לפניו צרור ועשבים אם היו עשבים רכים מקנח בהן ואם לאו מקנח בצרור:
6
The remnants of mats that have become tattered are considered utensils that may be used for a permitted purpose, for they are fit to be used to cover filth.23 In contrast, the remnants of clothes24 that are less than three [thumbbreadths] by three [thumbbreadths],25 and have become tattered may not be carried, for they are not fit - neither for the poor nor for the rich.26
The broken pieces of an oven are permitted to be carried; they are considered to be like all other utensils that are permitted to be carried.27 When, however, one leg of a range has slipped from its place, it may not be carried, lest one affix [it in its place].28
ו
שירי מחצלאות שבלו הרי הן ככלי שמלאכתו להיתר מפני שראויין לכסות בהן הטינוף. אבל שירי בגדים שבלו שאין בהן שלשה על שלשה אסור לטלטלן שאינן ראויין לא לעניים ולא לעשירים. שברי התנור מותר לטלטלן והרי הן ככל הכלים שמלאכתן להיתר. כירה שנשמטה אחת מירכותיה אסור לטלטלה שמא יתקע:
7
A ladder leading to a loft is forbidden to be carried [on the Sabbath], since it is not considered to be a utensil.29 [A ladder leading] to a dovecote [by contrast, is not considered muktzeh30 and] is permitted to be tilted. One should not, however, carry it from one dovecote to another, lest one follow one's ordinary course of conduct and come to snare [the doves].
[The following rule governs the use of] a rod that is used to harvest olives:31 When it is categorized as a utensil,32 it is considered to be a utensil that is used for a forbidden purpose. [The following rule governs the use of] a reed that is adjusted by a homeowner to open and lock [his door]:33 When it is categorized as a utensil,34 it is considered to be a utensil that is used for a permitted purpose.
ז
סולם של עליה אסור לטלטלו שאין עליו תורת כלי. ושל שובך מותר להטותו. אבל לא יוליכו משובך לשובך שלא יעשה כדרך שהוא עושה בחול ויבא לצוד. קנה שמוסקין בו הזיתים אם יש עליו תורת כלי הרי הוא ככלי שמלאכתו לאיסור. קנה שהתקינו בעל הבית להיות פותח ונועל בו אם יש תורת כלי עליו הרי הוא ככלי שמלאכתו להיתר:
8
[The following rules apply to] a door35 that once had a hinge - though at present it does not have a hinge36 - which is prepared to close a yard,37 but which drags on the ground when it is opened and closed: If the door is attached to and hanging on the wall, it may be used to close the space and may be locked.38 If not, it may not be used to close the space. If the door is [suspended] above the ground, it may be used to close the space.39 The same rules apply to a [partition made from] brambles or a mat that drags on the floor.
ח
דלת שהיה לה ציר אף על פי שאין לה עתה ציר שהכינה לסתום בה מקום מוקצה והיא נגררת שנוטלין אותה וסותמין בה. וכן חדקים שסותמין בהן הפרצה. וכן מחצלת הנגררת. בזמן שקשורין ותלויין בכותל סותמין בהן ונועלים בהם ואם לאו אין נועלין בהן. ואם היו גבוהים מעל הארץ נועלין בהן:
9
[The following rules apply to] a door that is made from a single piece of wood and which is placed in [a doorway] to close it and removed [to open it]. If [the doorway] does not have a base at the bottom that resembles a doorstep that would indicate that [the door] is a utensil that is used for [opening and] closing, [the door] may not be used to close [the doorway].40 If [the doorway] has a doorstep, one may use [the door].41
Similarly, a bolt that has a bulb at its end that indicates that it is a utensil used to bolt a door, and is not merely an ordinary beam, may be used to bolt a door on the Sabbath.42
ט
דלת שהיה לה לוח אחד ששומטין אותה ונועלין בה אם לא היה לה למטה כן כמו אסקופה שמוכיח עליה שהיא כלי מוכן לנעילה אין נועלין בה. ואם יש למטה אסקופה נועלים בה. וכן נגר שיש בראשו קלוסטרא שמוכחת עליו שהוא כלי מוכן לנעילה ואינו קורה כשאר כל הקורות נועלין בו בשבת:
10
[The following rules apply to] a bolt that does not have a bulb at its end: If it is tied to the door and suspended from it, we may use it to bolt the door on the Sabbath.43 [This ruling] also applies when it is carried together with the rope attaching it to the door.44
If, by contrast, the rope attaching it is fixed permanently to the door and the bolt is removed like a beam, placed in a corner, and then reattached when one desires, its use as a bolt is forbidden [on the Sabbath].45 This is forbidden because [the bolt] is not considered to be a utensil, nor is there any indication [that it is being used as a utensil], for it is not attached to the door, nor is it connected to a rope.46
י
נגר שאין בראשו קלוסטרא אם היה קשור ותלוי בדלת נועלין בו. וכן אם היה ניטל ואגדו עמו. אבל אם היה אגדו קבוע בדלת והיה הנגר נשמט כמו קורה ומניחין אותו בזוית וחוזרין ונועלין בו בעת שרוצין הרי זה אסור לנעול בו שאין עליו תורת כלי ואינו אגוד ואין בו אגד להוכיח עליו:
11
A candelabrum that is made of several separate parts may not be moved on the Sabbath.47 [This restriction applies] regardless of whether it is large or small. [Why was this prohibition instituted? As a safeguard] lest [it fall apart and] one reconstruct it on the Sabbath.48
[The following rules apply when] a candelabrum has grooves and thus appears to resemble one that is made from several parts: If it is large and can be carried only with two hands, carrying it is forbidden because of its weight.49 If it is smaller than that, carrying it is permitted.50
יא
מנורה של חוליות בין גדולה בין קטנה אין מטלטלין אותה שמא יחזירנה בשבת. היו בה חדקים והיא נראית כבעלת חוליות. אם היתה גדולה הניטלת בשתי ידים אסור לטלטלה מפני כובדה. היתה קטנה מזו מותר לטלטלה:
12
We may remove a shoe from a shoemaker's block on the Sabbath.51 We may release a clothes press belonging to an ordinary person on the Sabbath. We may not, however, set the press in place.52 A press belonging to a launderer should not be touched at all; it is set aside not to be used, because of the financial loss [that might be incurred through its improper use].53
Similarly, unprocessed rolls of wool may not be carried,54 because [their owner] objects [to their use for purposes other than spinning fabric].55 Therefore, if they have been set aside for a particular purpose,56 it is permitted to use them. Unprocessed hides - regardless of whether they belong to a private person or to a [leather] craftsman - may be carried,57 because [their owner] does not object to their [use].58
יב
מנעל שעל גבי האמום שומטין אותו בשבת. מכבש של בעלי בתים מתירין אבל לא כובשין. ושל כובסין לא יגע בו מפני שהוא מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס. וכן גיזי צמר אין מטלטלין אותן מפני שהוא מקפיד עליהן. לפיכך אם ייחדן לתשמיש מותרין. והשלחין מותר לטלטלן בין שהיו של בעה"ב או של אומן מפני שאינו מקפיד עליהם:
13
All filth - e.g., feces, vomit, excrement, and the like - that is located in a courtyard where [people] are dwelling may be removed to a dung heap or to a latrine.59 Such entities are referred to as a chamber pot.60 If it is located in another courtyard, it should be covered by a utensil so that a child will not become soiled by it.
One may step on spittle that is lying on the ground without taking any notice of it.61 One may carry a warming-pan because of its ash. [This leniency is granted] despite the fact that it contains chips of wood,62 because it is equivalent to a chamber pot.
At the outset, we may not bring about the creation of a repulsive entity63 on the Sabbath. If, however, [such an entity] comes about as a natural process, or one transgresses and creates it, it may be removed.
יג
כל דבר מטונף כגון רעי וקיא וצואה וכיוצא בהן אם היו בחצר שיושבין בה מותר להוציאן לאשפה או לבית הכסא וזה הוא הנקרא גרף של רעי. ואם היו בחצר אחרת כופין עליהן כלי כדי שלא יצא הקטן ויתלכלך בהן. רוק שעל הקרקע דורסו לפי תומו והולך. מטלטלין כנונא מפני אפרו אף על פי שיש עליו שברי עצים מפני שהוא כגרף של רעי ואין עושין גרף של רעי לכתחלה בשבת. אבל אם נעשה מאליו או שעבר ועשהו מוציאין אותו:
14
It is permitted to partake of oil that flows from beneath the beam of an olive press on the Sabbath64 and from dates and almonds that are prepared to be sold.65 One may even begin to take grain from a storehouse66 or from a grain pile on the Sabbath, for food never becomes muktzeh on the Sabbath at all. On the contrary, all [types of food] are [always] prepared for use.67
[There is, however, one] exception: figs and raisins that have been set aside to dry. Since they pass through an intermediate stage when they become repulsive and are unfit to eat,68 they are considered muktzeh and are forbidden [to be carried] on the Sabbath.69
A barrel [of wine] or a watermelon that was opened may be carried and stored away, even though it is no longer fit to eat.70 Similarly, an amulet that has not proven its efficacy may be moved, although one is forbidden to go out [into the public domain] wearing it.71
The oil that remains in a lamp or in a bowl that was kindled on a particular Sabbath may not be used on that Sabbath. It is muktzeh because of the forbidden [labor with which it was associated beyn hash'mashot].72
יד
שמן שיוצא מתחת הקורה של בית הבד בשבת וכן תמרים ושקדים המוכנים לסחורה מותר לאוכלם בשבת. ואפילו אוצר של תבואה או תבואה צבורה מתחיל להסתפק ממנה בשבת שאין שום אוכל שהוא מוקצה בשבת כלל אלא הכל מוכן הוא. חוץ מגרוגרות וצמוקין שבמוקצה בזמן שמייבשים אותם הואיל ומסריחות בינתים ואינם ראויין לאכילה הרי הן אסורין בשבת משום מוקצה. חבית שנתגלתה ואבטיח שנשברה אף על פי שאינן ראויין לאכילה נוטלן ומניחן במקום המוצנע. כיוצא בו קמיע שאינו מומחה אף על פי שאין יוצאין בו מטלטלין אותו. מותר השמן שבנר ושבקערה שהדליקו בהן באותה שבת אסור להסתפק ממנו באותה שבת מפני שהוא מוקצה מחמת איסור:
15
Although taking [produce] from a storehouse of grain or of barrels of wine is permitted, it is forbidden to begin73 to empty [the storehouse]74 unless this is being done for a purpose associated with a mitzvah - e.g., emptying it to host guests or to establish a hall of study.
[In the latter situations,] how should the storehouse be emptied? Every person should take [out] four or five75 containers until it has been completely [cleared].76 We may not sweep the floor of the storehouse, as has been explained.77
[Even when one is forbidden to empty the storehouse,] one may enter and leave and create a path with one's feet by entering and leaving.
טו
אוצר של תבואה או של כדי יין אע"פ שמותר להסתפק ממנו אסור להתחיל בו לפנותו אלא לדבר מצוה. כגון שפינהו להכנסת אורחין או לקבוע בו בית המדרש וכיצד מפנין אותו כל אחד ואחד ממלא ארבע או חמש קופות עד שגומרין. ולא יכבדו קרקעיתו של אוצר כמו שבארנו אלא נכנס ויוצא בו ועושה שביל ברגליו בכניסתו וביציאתו.
16
Any substance that is fit to be used as food for an animal, beast, or fowl that is commonly found may be carried on the Sabbath. What is implied? One may carry dry turmos beans78 because they are food for goats. Fresh [turmos beans,] by contrast, may not [be carried].79 [One may carry] chatzav80 because it is food for deer, mustard seed because it is food for doves,81and bones because they are food for dogs.
Similarly, we may carry all the shells and seeds [of produce] that are fit to serve as animal fodder. Concerning those that are not fit to be eaten: One should eat the food and throw [the shells or seeds] behind one's back;82 carrying them is forbidden.
One may carry meat that has spoiled, for it is fit to be eaten by beasts.83 One may carry raw meat - whether salted or unsalted84- because it is fit to be eaten by humans. This ruling applies to [raw] fish that has been salted. By contrast, carrying unsalted [raw] fish is forbidden.85
טז
כל שהוא ראוי למאכל בהמה וחיה ועוף המצויין מטלטלין אותו בשבת. כיצד מטלטלין את התורמוס היבש מפני שהוא מאכל לעזים אבל לא את הלח. את החצב מפני שהוא מאכל לצבאים. את החרדל מפני שהוא מאכל ליונים. את העצמות מפני שהן מאכל לכלבים. וכן כל הקליפין והגרעינין הראויין למאכל בהמה מטלטלין אותן. ושאינן ראויין אוכל את האוכל וזורקן לאחריו ואסור לטלטלן. מטלטלין בשר תפוח מפני שהוא מאכל לחיה. ומטלטלין בשר חי בין תפל בין מליח מפני שראוי לאדם. וכן דג מליח אבל התפל אסור לטלטלו:
17
We may not carry broken pieces of glass even though they are edible by ostriches,86 nor bundles of twigs from a vine even though they are edible by elephants, nor luf,87 even though it is edible by ravens. [These restrictions were instituted] because these and similar [species] are not commonly found among most people.88
יז
אין מטלטלין שברי זכוכית אף על פי שהן מאכל לנעמיות. ולא חבילי זמורות אף על פי שהן מאכל לפילים. ולא את הלוף אף על פי שהן מאכל לעורבים. מפני שאין אלו וכיוצא בהן מצויין אצל רוב בני אדם:
18
[The following rules apply to] bundles of straw, bundles of wood, and bundles of twigs: If they were prepared89 to be used as animal fodder, one may carry them. If not, one may not carry them.
If one brought in bundles of wild hyssop, madder, hyssop, or thyme90 to be used as kindling wood, one may not use them on the Sabbath.91 If one brought them in for use as animal fodder, one may use them. Similar rules apply to mint, rue, and other herbs.
יח
חבילי קש וחבילי זרדין אם התקינן למאכל בהמה מטלטלין אותן ואם לאו אין מטלטלין אותן. חבילי סיאה פואה ואיזוב וקורנית. הכניסן לעצים אין מסתפק מהן בשבת. למאכל בהמה מסתפק מהן. וכן באמינתא וכן בפיגם וכן בשאר מיני תבלין:
19
We may not rake food that was placed before an ox that is being fattened for slaughter. [This applies regardless of whether the food has been placed] in a feeding trough that is a [separate] utensil92 or in an earthen feeding trough. [Similarly,] one may not shift [the food] to the side so that [it does not become mixed with] feces. [These restrictions are] decrees, [instituted] lest one level grooves [in the floor].93
One may take food that had been placed before a donkey and place it before an ox.94 One may not, by contrast, take food that had been placed before an ox and place it before a donkey. [This restriction was instituted] because the food that is before an ox becomes soiled by its spittle95 and is not fit to be eaten by another animal.96
Leaves that produce a foul and repulsive odor and are not eaten by animals may not be carried. For similar reasons, carrying the hook on which fish are hung is forbidden.97 By contrast, the hook on which meat is hung is permitted to be carried. The same applies in all similar situations.
יט
אין גורפין מאכל מלפני הפטם בין באבוס של כלי בין באבוס של קרקע. ואין מסלקין לצדדין מפני הרעי גזירה שמא ישוה גומות. נוטלין מלפני החמור ונותנין לפני השור. אבל אין נוטלין מלפני השור ונותנין לפני החמור מפני שהמאכל שלפני השור מטונף ברירו ואין ראוי למאכל בהמה אחרת. וכן עלים שריחם רע ומאוסין ואין הבהמה אוכלתן אסור לטלטלן. לפיכך תלאי של דגים אסור לטלטלו ושל בשר מותר וכן כל כיוצא בזה:
20
Although carrying a corpse on the Sabbath is forbidden, one may anoint it and wash it, provided one does not move any of its limbs.98 We may slip out a pillow from underneath it99 so that it will be lying on the ground100 to enable it to remain without decomposing.
We may bring a utensil that will cool [a corpse] or a metal utensil and place it on the belly [of the corpse] so that [the corpse] will not swell. We may stop up [the corpse's] orifices so that air will not enter them. We may tie its jaw - not so that it will close101 - but so that it will not [open] further. We may not close [a corpse's] eyes on the Sabbath.102
כ
אף על פי שאסור לטלטל את המת בשבת סכין אותו ומדיחין אותו ובלבד שלא יזיזו בו אבר. ושומטין את הכר מתחתיו כדי שיהיה מוטל על החול בשביל שימתין ולא יסריח. ומביאין כלי מיקר וכלי מתכות ומניחין לו על כריסו כדי שלא יתפח. ופוקקין את נקביו שלא יכנס בהן הרוח. וקושרין את הלחי לא שיעלה אלא שלא יוסיף. ואין מעמצין את עיניו בשבת:
21
When a corpse is lying in the sun, we may place a loaf of bread103 or a baby on it and carry it [into the shade]. Similarly, if a fire breaks out in a courtyard where a corpse is lying, we may place a loaf of bread or a baby on it104 and carry it [out from the fire].105
Indeed, even if a loaf of bread or a baby are not available, one may save a corpse from a fire. [This leniency is granted] lest one extinguish the fire out of apprehension that the corpse not be consumed [by the flames].
[The leniency of carrying an entity with] a loaf of bread or a baby upon it is granted only in the case of a corpse, because a person is distraught over the corpse [of his loved ones].106
כא
מת המוטל בחמה מניח עליו ככר או תינוק ומטלטלו. וכן אם נפלה דליקה בחצר שיש בה מת מניח עליו ככר או תינוק ומטלטלו. ואם אין שם ככר ולא תינוק מצילין אותו מן הדליקה מכל מקום שמא יבא לכבות מפני שהוא בהול על מתו שלא ישרף. ולא התירו לטלטל בככר או תינוק אלא למת בלבד מפני שאדם בהול על מתו:
22
[The following procedure should be adhered to when] a corpse is lying in the sun and there is no place to carry it, or [the people] do not desire to move it from its place: Two people should come and sit, one on either side [of the corpse]. If it is [too] warm for them [to sit on the ground], they may both bring couches and sit on them. If it is [too] warm for them [to sit in the sun], they may both bring mats and spread them over the couches.107
[Afterwards,] they both may [depart], overturn their couches, and remove them [leaving the mats suspended over the corpse]. In this manner, the covering is created on its own accord, [as it were], for the two mats are next to each other and their two ends are located on the ground on either side of the corpse.
כב
היה מוטל בחמה ואין להם מקום לטלטלו או שלא רצו להזיזו ממקומו באין שני בני אדם ויושבים משני צדדיו. חם להם מלמטה זה מביא מטתו ויושב עליה וזה מביא מטתו ויושב עליה. חם להם מלמעלה זה מביא מחצלת ופורש על גביו. וזה מביא מחצלת ופורש על גביו. זה זוקף מטתו ונשמט והולך לו וזה זוקף מטתו ונשמט והולך לו ונמצא מחיצה עשויה מאליה. שהרי מחצלת זה ומחצלת זה גגיהן סמוכות זו לזו ושני קצותיהם על הקרקע משני צדי המת:
23
When a corpse has decomposed108 in a house [to the extent that it produces a foul odor] and thus is being disgraced in the eyes of the living, and their honor is being compromised because of it, carrying it109 into a carmelit is permitted.110
[This leniency was granted because] the honor of the creatures is great enough to supersede [the observance of] a negative commandment of the Torah, namely: "Do not swerve right or left from the words they tell you" [Deuteronomy 17:11].111
If [the people in the home] have an alternative place to go, they may not remove the corpse. Instead, the corpse should be left in its place and they should depart.112
כג
מת שהסריח בבית ונמצא מתבזה בין החיים והם מתבזים ממנו מותר להוציאו לכרמלית. גדול כבוד הבריות שדוחה את לא תעשה שבתורה שהוא לא תסור מן הדבר אשר יגידו לך ימין ושמאל. ואם היה להן מקום אחר לצאת בו אין מוציאין אותו אלא מניחין אותו במקומו ויוצאין הם
FOOTNOTES
1.I.e., the object may be carried to perform a permitted task or because the place in which it is lying is needed (Chapter 25, Halachah 3).
2.The Maggid Mishneh writes that, for this reason, it is as though they are not considered to be utensils.
3.See Chapter 10, Halachah 3, and the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 15:2, which mention the use of a weaver's rope.
4.See Chapter 21, Halachah 3, which states that one may sweep a floor on the Sabbath only if it is paved. Since sweeping is permitted in that instance, however, it is considered a permitted activity.
Nevertheless, according to the Ramah (Orach Chayim 337:2), who forbids sweeping with these brooms even on a paved floor, a broom would be considered a utensil used for a forbidden purpose. The notes on that halachah mention the views of the later authorities.
5.Rashi, Shabbat 124b, states "to sit upon."
6.For this reason, a more lenient ruling is given than with regard to the row of stones mentioned in Chapter 25, Halachah 21, where one must indicate one's desire to use them on the Sabbath. (See Mishnah Berurah 306:73.)
7.Since they are not considered to be utensils. (See Chapter 25, Halachah 6.)
8.Although there is no utensil to cover there, since it is fit to cover a utensil one may take it to use for another purpose (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 306:7). Needless to say, one may carry it only less than four cubits.
9.As the Maggid Mishneh and the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.) emphasize, this leniency applies only to the broken pieces of a utensil. Since it was originally considered a utensil, it remains in this category as long as it can serve a useful purpose. In contrast, a stone is not considered a utensil, even though it is fit to cover another utensil, unless it is designated for this purpose.
10.Although it is useful, since its owner discarded it before the commencement of the Sabbath, there was no intent of using it at the time the Sabbath commenced. Therefore, it becomes forbidden. (See Ramah, Orach Chayim 308:7.)
11.If, however, it is discarded on the Sabbath itself, its use is permitted, since at the time of the commencement of the Sabbath it was still deemed to be a useful article (Maggid Mishneh).
12.Our translation is taken from the dictionary of Rabbi Tanchum of Jerusalem. The Maggid Mishneh renders the term מקורזלות as "sharp."
13.Although stones are not considered to be utensils and therefore may not ordinarily be carried, an exception is made in order to allow a person to take care of his basic hygienic needs.
Because of the advances in civilization, the situations described in this and the following halachah are no longer common practice. Nevertheless, the motivating principle behind these laws - that our Sages allowed certain leniencies for the sake of human dignity and hygiene - is pertinent at all times.
In this context, it is worthy to note the difference of opinion mentioned by the Ramah (Orach Chayim 312:1): According to one opinion, it is permitted to carry these stones only in one's own courtyard; i.e., only the prohibition against carrying stones is lifted. A second opinion, however, maintains that the prohibition against bringing an article from a carmelit into the private domain is also lifted in this instance. Shulchan Aruch HaRav 312:4 and the Mishnah Berurah 312:8 favor the latter view.
14.I.e., the size of all three together may not exceed a fistful (Maggid Mishneh).
15.Rashi (Shabbat 81a) relates that since the earth is likely to crumble - and then it will no longer be useful for this purpose - the prohibition against carrying it was never lifted.
16.Rashi (loc. cit.) and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 312:1) explain that carrying the stones might entail extraordinary difficulty, which is normally forbidden on the Sabbath. An exception is made in this instance, however, for the reasons mentioned above.
17.There is no concern that one might be performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of grinding, nor of the forbidden labor of demolishing.
18.As a corollary to this principle, the Mishnah Berurah 312:6 mentions that it is permitted to carry toilet paper. Although paper is generally considered to be muktzeh, since the purpose for which this paper is used is clearly designated, it is not placed in this category. The Mishnah Berurah, however, emphasizes that tearing the paper on the Sabbath is forbidden.
19.Since a shard is sharp and might tear one's membranes (Rashi, Shabbat 82a).
20.Because in this instance the shard is smooth and will not tear one's membranes. Since the shard comes from a useful article, it is not muktzeh, as the stones are.
21.Since the grass is useful as animal fodder, it is not considered muktzeh. Therefore, using it is preferable to using the stone. Note the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 312:6), which states that one may use grasses that are still attached to the ground, provided one does not uproot them.
22.If the grasses are firm, there is a possibility that their sharp edges will perforate one's membranes (Shulchan Aruch, loc. cit.:5).
23.The Ramban states that if they were discarded before the commencement of the Sabbath, they are considered to be muktzeh. This ruling is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:12).
24.The Maggid Mishneh cites the Ra'avad who states that this refers to the remnants of a tallit used for prayer, which are inappropriate to be used to clean filth. The Rambam, however, interprets this as referring to the remnants of all garments. Although the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.:13) quotes both views, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:41 favors the Rambam's opinion, explaining that even though smaller pieces of cloth are fit to be used to clean filth, this does not cause them to be considered to be a כלי, "useful article," unless they are explicitly designated for this purpose. Therefore, they are placed in the category of muktzeh like stones.
25.The minimum size of a piece of cloth that is susceptible to ritual impurity (Hilchot Keilim 22:20).
26.Hilchot Keilim (op. cit.) mentions that a cloth three thumbbreadths by three thumbbreadths is fit only for the poor. A rich person, by contrast, will not consider a cloth valuable until it is a minimum of three handbreadths by three handbreadths. Shulchan Aruch HaRav 308:41 and the Mishnah Berurah 308:52 also apply these concepts with regard to our present halachah.
27.See Chapter 25, Halachah 12.
28.And thus perform a forbidden labor. The Ramah (Orach Chayim 308:16) applies this concept to other articles - e.g., a bench that has one leg broken off.
29.Hence, moving it at all is forbidden. (See Hilchot Eruvin 3:7, from which one can derive the following: A ladder leading to a loft is usually left there permanently. Therefore, it is a heavy structure that is not considered to be a כלי, a utensil, but rather a permanent part of the building's structure.)
30.Since it is usually moved from dovecote to dovecote, it is light and is therefore considered to be a כלי. Accordingly, if there were no room for suspicion that one would snare doves, one would be allowed to move it.
The Maggid Mishneh draws attention to Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 5:4, which states that the only reason the Sages permitted moving such a ladder on a holiday was to allow for festive joy (i.e., to permit one to bring doves to slaughter). Therefore, on the Sabbath, when slaughtering is forbidden, there is no reason to allow one to move such a ladder. A household ladder, by contrast, may be moved (Mishnah Berurah 308:78).
31.The Rambam describes the construction and use of such a rod in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 17:3).
32.Note the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:1), which states that for a reed to be "categorized as a utensil," it is not sufficient merely to think about using it for that purpose; one must actually adapt the article to fit the purpose for which it is intended to be used.
33.I.e., it is used as a door stop. Thus, it resembles slightly the bolt mentioned in the following halachah.
34.The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:1) mentions two perspectives on this matter. Rashi states that one must prepare the reed for use as a utensil that can be employed for other purposes. Otherwise, using it as a door stop will be considered to be building. Rabbenu Tam explains that as long as the reed is prepared for use as a door stop, it is sufficient.
Although in this halachah, the Rambam's perspective appears to follow that of Rashi, in his gloss to Chapter 23, Halachah 13, the Maggid Mishneh states that the Rambam follows the position of Rabbenu Tam. The later authorities agree that one may rely on Rabbenu Tam's view (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 313:2; Mishnah Berurah 313:7).
35.Rashi and others explain that the difficulty with the doors mentioned in this halachah is that since they do not meet all the criteria of ordinary doors, closing an opening with them resembles building. The Rambam, by contrast, appears to maintain that the difficulty is whether doors of this nature are considered to be כלים, useful articles, or not. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:3) follows Rashi's view.
36.If the board used as a door lacks any sign of a hinge, it is not considered a כלי, a useful article, and carrying it is forbidden. In this instance, since it has the mark of a hinge, it was obviously used as a door in the past. Therefore, if it meets either of the other conditions mentioned by the Rambam, it may be moved on the Sabbath.
37.Our translation is based on Rashi (Eruvin 101a) and the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.). More precisely, in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Eruvin 10:8), the Rambam defines the Hebrew term מוקצה as "a distinct place that is not used for any purpose, nor is it required by its owner - e.g., a barn or stable."
The Shulchan Aruch emphasizes that the ruling concerning moving the partition used as a door is dependent on the fact that this enclosure is used infrequently. If an entrance that is frequently used were closed with such a partition, it would be considered as having been set aside for this purpose. However, since this is not the case, there is reason for the restrictions mentioned.
38.According to the Rambam, the fact that they were attached to the wall before the Sabbath indicates that they were intended to be used as a door. According to Rashi, it is sufficient to indicate that one is not building on the Sabbath.
39.The Maggid Mishneh states that the Rambam's wording appears to indicate that two criteria must be met: The partition used as a door must have at least the remnant of a hinge, and it must either be attached to the wall or be suspended above the ground. He objects to this conception, explaining that based on Eruvin 101a, it would appear that if a partition is suspended above the ground, it is considered to be a door even if it never had a hinge.
The Maggid Mishneh states, however, that it is possible that the Rambam also shares this conception. (Merkevet HaMishneh postulates that he surely does. Otherwise, the Rambam's words would be redundant, since it is impossible for a door to be suspended above the ground unless it hangs from the wall or is attached by a hinge.) The Maggid Mishneh's view is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:3).
40.As in the previous halachah, Rashi and others explain that the reason the prohibition was instituted is that this door does not resemble an ordinary door. Hence, one appears to be building when closing it. The Rambam, by contrast, explains that the prohibition stems from the fact that the door is not prepared to serve as a כלי, a useful article. Therefore, moving it is forbidden, as explained in the previous chapter.
41.Note the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:4), which states that even if the entrance has a doorstep, since it is uncommon to use a door made of a single piece of wood, such a door may not be used on the Sabbath. Moreover, the Shulchan Aruch continues, this prohibition applies even when the door has a hinge.
The Magen Avraham 313:8 and other later authorities, however, maintain that one may rely on the Rambam's opinion if a door is used frequently as an entrance and an exit. This is surely true in the present age, when it is very common for doors to be made from a single piece of wood.
42.Eruvin 10:10 relates that there was a synagogue in Tiberias that had such a bolt. Its congregants refrained from using it on the Sabbath until Rabban Gamliel and the elders ruled that using it was permitted.
In this instance as well, the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit:1) is more stringent and requires the bolt to be tied to the door even when it has a bulb at the end. (See the following halachah and notes.)
43.For the fact that it is tied to the door clearly indicates that it has been set aside for a purpose.
44.This refers to an instance where the bolt is attached to a rope that is, in turn, attached to the door. If the bolt is removed by detaching the rope from the door and carrying the bolt and the rope together, the presence of the rope serves as an indication that the bolt has been set aside to be used for a significant purpose. Therefore, there is no prohibition involved. If, as in the following clause, the bolt is detached from the rope, there is nothing to indicate that it is a useful article. Hence, it is forbidden (Kessef Mishneh).
The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's interpretation of the Hebrew ניטל באגדו. Instead, he offers a different explanation: that the rope with which the beam is attached to the door with a knot that is strong enough to hold the beam when it is removed. This is the interpretation that Rav Yosef Karo follows in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 313:1).
45.It was permitted to use such a bolt in the Temple, because none of the Rabbinic prohibitions in the category of sh'vut were in effect there. Outside of the Temple, using such a bolt was prohibited for the reasons mentioned by the Rambam (or according to others, because this resembles building, Eruvin 102a).
46.Rav Moshe Cohen of Lunil and others question the distinction between this halachah and Chapter 22, Halachah 30, which mentions a piece of wood that is used to close a window. The Maggid Mishneh explains that in that instance, leniency was granted only when the piece of wood is prepared for that purpose. In the present halachah, by contrast, nothing has been done to indicate that the bolt is set aside for purposeful use.
It must be emphasized that the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.) takes a different perspective and maintains that the restrictions were instituted lest it appear that one is building when using such a door. According to this perspective, unless the conditions mentioned above are met, it is forbidden to use this bolt, even if it was prepared for this purpose before the Sabbath.
47.This applies even when one has not lit this candelabrum at the commencement of the particular Sabbath in question. Had the candelabrum been lit at that time, carrying it would have been forbidden, as reflected by Chapter 25, Halachah 23.
48.See Chapter 22, Halachah 26.
49.The Kessef Mishneh questions the phrase "because of its weight," for seemingly Shabbat 46a considers that as another rationale for stringency, not at all dependent on the fact that the candelabrum has grooves. Indeed, these rationales offered by two separate sages seem to be mutually exclusive. He and other commentators attempt to resolve this difficulty. Rav Kapach notes that many authoritative manuscripts of the Mishneh Torah omit this problematic phrase.
50.In the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 279:7), Rav Yosef Karo follows the reasoning he mentions in his Kessef Mishneh and forbids the use of all candelabra with grooves, whether large or small.
51.A new shoe will most likely be firmly fixed on the shoemaker's block, and removing it would necessitate moving the block. This is, nevertheless, permitted, because the shoemaker's block is considered to be a utensil that is used for a forbidden intent. Accordingly, it may be moved when one desires to use the space it takes up - in this instance, the space within the shoe where one puts one's foot [Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:14)].
52.Rashi (Shabbat 141a) explains that putting clothes in a press is forbidden, because it appears to be an activity performed for the sake of the weekdays that follow, and not for sake of the Sabbath itself.
53.Rashi (loc. cit.) offers a different rationale for this prohibition: that setting up a professional press resembles building and opening it resembles the labor of demolishing. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 302:4) quotes Rashi's view.
54.Shabbat 49a,b mentions the use of such wool for the purpose of insulating food to keep it warm.
55.Note the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 259:1), which follows the ruling of Rabbenu Asher (in his gloss on Shabbat 49a), who permits picking up such rolls if they are used as insulation, unless they are explicitly set aside for sale. Although these rolls are generally used for spinning wool, since they are not very valuable, the fact that they are employed for the purpose of insulation is sufficient for them to be considered to have been set aside for that purpose (Mishnah Berurah 259:6).
56.Note the Magen Avraham 259:2, which states that they must be set aside to be used for this purpose - e.g., insulation - forever. It is not sufficient that one decide to use them for this purpose on merely one Sabbath.
57.These are likely to be used as mats to sit on (Shabbat, loc. cit.).
58.The Ramah (Orach Chayim 308:25) mentions an opinion that states that this leniency applies only to cow hides, but not to sheep hides. The later authorities, however, do not accept this view (Mishnah Berurah 308:107).
59.It would appear that the Rambam's intent is that although these repulsive entities should be forbidden to be removed since they are not כלים, it is permitted to remove them because of the discomfort their presence causes.
60.I.e., this term is used as an idiom to describe all repulsive entities.
61.Note Chapter 11, Halachah 4, for a more specific definition of the Hebrew wording used.
62.The Ra'avad accepts the Rambam's ruling only when the warming-pan has coals that had turned to ash before the commencement of the Sabbath. The Ra'avad offers a different explanation of the leniency, stating that it is granted because the warming-pan is the base for a permitted article (the ash that existed before the commencement of the Sabbath) and a forbidden article (the remainder of the ash and the chips of wood). The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 310:8) quotes the Ra'avad's interpretation.
63.Our translation is based on the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 308:36).
64.Although the oil had not been separated before the commencement of the Sabbath, one is allowed to partake of it on the Sabbath. As mentioned previously, the Rambam follows the view of Rabbi Shimon (Shabbat 19b) who permits the use of nolad (objects that come into existence on the Sabbath).
65.In contrast to utensils that are forbidden in this instance, as mentioned in Chapter 25, Halachah 9.
66.See, however, the following halachah.
67.As examples of this principle, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 310:2) states that one may pick up seeds from the ground which fell before the Sabbath that have not become rooted or eggs that were laid before the Sabbath from beneath a chicken. (See also Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 1:18.)
68.I.e., fresh grapes and figs and dried grapes and figs are desirable foods. In the process by which these fruits dry out, they pass through a stage when they become repulsive.
69.The Shulchan Aruch (ibid.) states that there are two drawbacks to such fruit: a) it is unfit to be eaten; b) the owners intentionally set it aside, not to be used until it became dried. Therefore, the restriction is placed upon it.
70.See Hilchot Rotzeach 11:9, which explains that partaking of such foods is forbidden, because it is possible that a poisonous snake deposited venom there.
71.See Chapter 19, Halachah 14.
72.See Chapter 5, Halachah 12 and Chapter 25, Halachah 10.
73.From the use of the word "begin," the Beis Yosef (Orach Chayim 331) derives the following ruling: If one begins emptying the storehouse before the commencement of the Sabbath, one may complete the removal of its contents on the Sabbath, even if one's purpose is not directly associated with a mitzvah.
The Turei Zahav 331:1 objects to this leniency, however, for this appears to be unnecessary work that should not be permitted on the Sabbath.
74.In his Commentary on the Mishnah (Shabbat 18:1, based on Shabbat 127a), the Rambam explains the reason that this restriction was instituted. It is very likely that there are grooves or cavities in the floor of a storeroom, and a person would be tempted to level the floor if he were allowed to empty the entire room. The Turei Zahav 333:1 explains that the prohibition was instituted to prevent a person from exerting himself excessively.
Significantly, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 331:1 quotes both rationales, indicating that they are not mutually exclusive.
75.In his Commentary on the Mishnah (loc. cit.), the Rambam explains that this number is not intended as a limitation. Indeed, every person may take out as many containers as he needs at one time.
It must be emphasized that this interpretation is dependent on a version of Shabbat 126b-127a that is not accepted by many other authorities, including the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 333:1).
76.I.e., a single individual is not allowed to clear out the entire storehouse. Instead, each individual - or a substitute for him - must clear out the area he needs. Although one person may remove as many containers as he can carry at one time, he may not, however, return to take more (Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, loc. cit.). See also the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 333:3).
77.See Chapter 21, Halachah 2.
78.See the notes on Chapter 3, Halachah 12, for a more specific definition of the type of bean referred to.
79.Because they are very bitter, they are not eaten at all (Maggid Mishneh).
80.A shrub whose roots penetrate deeply into the ground.
81.The Maggid Mishneh objects to the mention of mustard seed. Although it is used as food for doves, it is also commonly used to prepare food for humans. There is a general principle that whenever a substance is considered to be food both for animals and for humans, it is considered to be set aside for use for humans and not for animals. The Kessef Mishneh, however, justifies the Rambam's ruling.
82.A person should throw the shells - and similarly, any other waste left after eating - over his shoulder so that he will not create a repulsive situation on the table before him. For, as mentioned above (Halachah 13), at the outset creating a repulsive situation is forbidden (Maggid Mishneh). Significantly, this point is not emphasized by the later authorities.
83.Or dogs (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 308:31).
84.According to most authorities, although meat must be salted to remove the blood before cooking, there is no prohibition against eating uncooked unsalted meat. (See Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 67:2.) Nevertheless, according to the Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 6:12), it is necessary to salt raw meat before one eats it. From the juxtaposition of these two rulings, Rav Kapach derives that, according to the Rambam, it is permitted to salt meat on the Sabbath to remove its blood.
85.For it is unfit for both human and animal consumption.
86.Rav Kapach explains that the intent is not that the broken glass is actually considered to be food by the ostriches. Instead, the intent is that ostriches have strong digestive organs, which will not be torn by the glass. As such, the glass will assist them in the process of digestion, because it will help shred the other food that they have consumed.
87.A wild vegetable of the onion family (Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Shabbat 18:1).
88.Nevertheless, a person who owns a species of animal that is rarely found may carry whatever food is necessary for it, even though it is not usually consumed by other animals (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 308:29).
89.Preparation is necessary, because we assume that these substances would ordinarily be used for kindling (Maggid Mishneh). Note the Magen Avraham 308:53, which states that straw is usually employed at present as a mattress or for animal fodder. Hence, it is permitted to be carried even though it was not prepared before the Sabbath.
90.At times these substances are used for kindling, at times for animal fodder, and at times for other purposes that serve humans.
91.Since these substances are less likely to be used for kindling, everything depends on the person's intent when he brought them home. Note the Magen Avraham 321:1, which states that if one brings them home without any specific intent, they are considered to be animal fodder. (See also Chapter 21, Halachah 19.)
92.This is forbidden, lest one follow the same practice in an earthen feeding trough.
93.Note the Mishneh Berurah 324:41, which gives another reason for the prohibition against shifting food to the side: Some of the straw has surely become repulsive and is no longer fit to be carried.
94.For an ox will not hesitate to eat food from before a donkey.
95.Because oxen chew their cud.
96.The Mishnah Berurah 324:37 emphasizes that the intent is that an animal of another species will not eat food that is soiled with the spittle of an ox. One ox will, however, eat food that is soiled with the spittle of another ox.
97.The Maggid Mishneh explains that, in contrast to a meat hook, a fish hook is not a proper utensil and will be discarded after use. Hence, it may not be carried on the Sabbath. Rav Kapach objects to this interpretation, noting that if this explanation were correct, it would have been more appropriate to state this halachah in Chapter 25, which differentiates between entities that are considered utensils and those that are not.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 310:1) states that it is permitted to carry a fish hook, because it is not considered too repulsive to move.
98.All the leniencies mentioned in this halachah are intended to inhibit the process of the corpse's decomposition.
99.Moving the pillow, and not the corpse, by hand. Although the corpse will also be moved, this is of no consequence.
100.If a corpse is covered by blankets or sheets, it is possible that they will serve as insulator and keep heat from diffusing, thus causing the corpse to decompose more quickly.
101.For this would involve moving a limb (Rashi, Shabbat 151b).
102.Shulchan Aruch HaRav 311:13 and the Mishnah Berurah 311:22 relate that, based on the Zohar, it has become customary to close a corpse's eyes and straighten its limbs on the Sabbath, for the failure to do so will lead to danger.
103.Note the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 311:4), which mentions an opinion that allows a corpse to be carried if it is dressed in the clothes it wore while it was alive. Shulchan Aruch HaRav 311:10 accepts this ruling; the Mishnah Berurah 311:16, by contrast, does not.
104.Thus, it is as if the corpse were merely a medium to enable one to carry the bread or the baby.
105.This refers to carrying a corpse within a private domain. (See also Halachah 23 and notes.)
106.If a baby or a loaf of bread is not available, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 311:1) allows one to move a corpse by shifting it from one bed to another. The Ramah (loc. cit.:2) offers another alternative - to have a gentile carry the corpse.
107.Spreading the mats constitutes the construction of a temporary tent. This is permitted only because of the discomfort suffered by a living person, and not for the sake of preserving the corpse. Therefore, it is necessary to undertake all the stages in this process, so that it will not be obvious that this is being done for the sake of the corpse (Kessef Mishneh; Shulchan Aruch HaRav 311:11; Mishnah Berurah 311:19).
108.Or will shortly reach that state (Ramah, Orach Chayim 311:2).
109.The Maggid Mishneh notes that the Rambam does not mention carrying the corpse with a baby or a loaf of bread on it, as in Halachah 21. The commentaries differ on whether this is necessary. The Rashba maintains that it is desirable to place another article on the corpse, so that one will be carrying the corpse for the sake of a permitted article.
The Ramban, by contrast, explains that since one is carrying the corpse into a carmelit and violating a Rabbinic prohibition associated with a forbidden labor, it is preferable to minimize the violation of that prohibition by not carrying another article. Although the prohibition against carrying an entity (the corpse) that is muktzeh will be violated in a more serious way, it is preferable to violate that prohibition (which is associated with a sh'vut) than the prohibition against carrying into a carmelit, which has its source in the forbidden labor of transferring articles.
Although the Rashba's view is accepted by the later authorities (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 311:2; Mishnah Berurah 311:9), one may rely on the Ramban's view if there is not another useful article available, and carry the corpse out without anything else.
110.The corpse may be carried into a carmelit, but not into a public domain (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 311:5; Mishnah Berurah 311:10).
The Tur allows carrying a corpse even into the public domain; since one does not intend to use the corpse, carrying it is a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה, and the prohibition against performing such an activity is waived in this instance. The Rambam would surely not accept this premise, for he maintains that one is liable according to the Torah for performing a מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה. Even the later Ashkenazic authorities who accept the basic principle of the Tur do not accept this leniency.
111.See Hilchot Mamrim 1:2, which interprets this as a commandment prohibiting us from transgressing a directive instituted by the Rabbis. All the Rabbinic commandments have their source in this mitzvah from the Torah. See also Hilchot Kilayim 10:29.
112.The commentaries emphasize that this ruling indicates that according to the Rambam, the main source for leniency is the regard for the honor of the living, that they are forced to remain in a house permeated by the odor of a decaying corpse.
[It is possible to explain that according to the view of the Ramah cited in Note 106, the honor of the corpse is also considered, and removing it is allowed even if the people in the home have an alternative place to spend the Sabbath (Mishnah Berurah 311:7)].
Hayom Yom:• English Text | Video ClassFriday, Cheshvan 21, 5778 · 10 November 2017
"Today's Day"
Friday, Cheshvan 21, 5704
Torah Lesson: Chumash: Chayei Sara, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 104-105.
Tanya: This is the (p. 581) ...ch. 38, see there. (p. 583).
It is the avoda of davening which brings the comprehension of the brain into the emotional sensitivity of the heart - and (also brings) both of them together into the practical avoda of performing mitzvot with fear-of-Heaven and acquiring fine character-traits.
Daily Thought:
Learn Together
Every couple must have a set time to study Torah together.
What should they study? Something that interests both of them—such as the Torah portion of that week, or something about the Torah seasons approaching. (From a letter, published in Hitkashrut, no. 70.)
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