Understanding Melachot: A Comprehensive Guide to Shabbat Observance
Review of TSBP
How does one fulfill the commands of Zachor and Shamor?
Zachor can be fulfilled by reciting the Kiddush, and shamor would be refraining from doing any of the 39 Melachot.
What command is written in the Torah next to the charge to build the Mishkan?
The command not to perform any Melacha or to make a fire on Shabbat
What do Chachamim learn from this juxtaposition (the placement of the verses)?
They learn that when the Torah stated that one is not allowed to do Melacha, this refers to the same labors that were necessary for the construction of the Mishkan and its components.
Does the Torah explicitly state what constitutes a Melacha?
No, the Torah does not state all Melachot explicitly, however, one labor is stated – the making of a fire.
How many Melachot are there?
39
Define Av and Tolada & provide an example
Av – Primary Labors (Planting) Tolada– Derived Labors (Watering)
Are both equally Assur? Why?
Yes, both are equally Assur, because they both bring out the same outcome.
Why did the Chachamim categorize the Melachot into Abot and Toladot?
To determine how many Korbanot one needs to bring if he/she performs one of the 39 Melachot.
How many Korban Chatat one needs to bring if;
(a) he/she transgressed either an Av and a Tolada of the same Melacha [i.e. planting and watering at the same time] = 1 Korban
(b) if one transgressed a Av of one Melacha and a Tolada of a different Melacha [i.e. Planting, writing – not related] = 2 Korbanot
When is a person Chayav, and when is a person Patur?
Chayav: Liable, if he transgressed a biblical prohibition
Patur: exempt; but is still rabbinically forbidden
Define Shogeg and Meizid, please provide an example for both?
Shogeg – a person who performs a Melacha unintentionally– by mistake. Someone pushed you into the wall and by mistake you switched the light on.
In the above case, he must bring a Korban Chattat
Meizid – a person who performs a Melacha by purpose –
Chayav Skila – if there were two witnesses and they warned him not to perform that Melakha. If there were no witnesses he/she is liable for Karet
Define Melechet Machshevet.
Melechet Machshevet means a Torah prohibited calculated labor
Remember: Design and intent of doing it, i.e. constructing a building base on a blueprint
Define Mitasek.
An unwitting Act – when a person does an act accidently, without intention of doing the act, and without realizing that it might happen as a result of what he originally intended to do.
Provide an example for Mitasek.
Someone set out to cut a watermelon before Shabbat, that had been already picked before Shabbat, as he picks the watermelon, he trips over another watermelon and it rips out of the ground.
Define Davar She’eino Mitkaven
A permitted action where you foresee the not permitted secondary action.
Provide an example for Davar She’eino Mitkaven?
Carrying something big down a narrow alley and seeing that the big object may tear off a branch of a tree but doing it anyway.
What is the Machloket between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon?
R. Yehuda says that since the person sees that dragging the chair will make a furrow – it is forbidden
R. Shimon says that he isn’t responsible for a prohibition violated unintentionally.
Define Psik Reisha.
An inevitable consequence
For example opening the refrigerator just to get the food but it is inevitable the light will turn on.
In what case does Rabbi Shimon hold that Psik Reisha is forbidden?
In a case where the consequence is inevitable, that it would definitely happen. For example, opening the refrigerator – will result on the light turning on.
Define the terms Nichale Li/Lo Nichale Li.
Nichale Li-When the non-permitted result of a permitted action is beneficial to the person who committed it. For example turning on a light so you can see. This person is liable.
Lo Nichale Li-When the result is not beneficial to the person who committed it. He is not liable
Summary Table
An act performed in an unusual manner | Psik Reisha | A labor not needed or performed for its designed purpose | mikalkel | Davar She’eino Mitkaven | Mitasek |
With your left hand = or means instead of your dominant hand Change = Turning a light on with your elbow | Rabbi Shimon permits the consequence if it is not inevitable and is only a possibility | Extinguishing a fire In the Mishkan this was done for the purpose of making charcoal and to conserve fuel. According to Shimon the person is not liable | When something is destroyed with design and intent. You’re liable to bring a korban. When someone steps on wood and breaks it to make a house after. | When a person opens a door not foreseeing it will hit a light switch on Shabbat. | A person set cut a vegetable before Shabbat when he went to go get it on Shabbat he tripped and ripped a different vegetable out of the ground by accident. |