A balance of values TB Shabbat 54

In today’s daf TB Shabbat 54 discusses what things animals should not wear and go out on Shabbat. There are several different underpinning reasons why certain things were forbidden depending on the animal. For example a calf may not go out with a “training yolk” because that would be a burden. Another reason falls under the category of marit ayin (מראית עין) literally “the appearance of the eye.” The concept of marit ayin encourages us to live a life beyond reproach. We should not appear to do something wrong. The Gemara gives two examples.

“We learned in the mishna: And one may not tie camels one to the other and pull the lead camel, thereby pulling the others after it. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for this? Rav Ashi said: Because he appears like one going to the market [ḥinga] to sell merchandise or to deliver a caravan of camels. In deference to Shabbat, one may not create that impression…

“We also learned in the mishna: A donkey may not go out with a bell even if it is plugged to prevent it from ringing. The reason is that the animal’s owner appears like one going to the market, who adorns his donkey with bells in honor of market day.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Obviously no commerce is permitted on Shabbat. A caravan of camels or a donkey with a bell gives the false impression that the owners are going to go to the marketplace and violate Shabbat.

Nevertheless, there are limitations to marit ayin. Bet Hillel believes that marit ayin doesn’t apply in private. (TB Betzah 9a) Times and perceptions change effect our behavior. At first when almond milk and margarine first came into them market, rabbinic authorities said some type of physical sign was needed to publicize that you were mixing milk and meat. “Rama: we make milk from almonds and place bird meat in it, since (milk and bird meat) is only rabbinically (forbidden). But with meat from a domesticated animal, place almonds next to the milk, so that people don’t misunderstand. This is what we said above in chapter 66.” (Shulcha Aruch, Yoereh De’ah 87:6) (Sefariah.org translation) Today nondairy milk substitutes and margarine are so common no kind of physical sign is needed at all.

There is a competing Jewish value, giving one the benefit of the doubt or in Hebrew דן את האדם בכף זכות. (Avot 1:6) We should not jump to conclusions because when we do most often we end up being just plain wrong.

This is how I feel we should balance these two value concepts. We should live our lives above reproach, but give the next person the benefit of doubt.