We learned yesterday
that any preparation
needed for the sake of the brit milah overrides the Sabbath according to Rabbi
Eliezer. For example, one may even fashion a knife from a raw piece of metal.
Although the halakha does not follow him, today’s daf TB Shabbat 131 investigates
what other mitzvot and their preparations override the Sabbath according to
Rabbi Eliezer.
“Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said:
Rabbi Eliezer did not say with regard to all mitzvot that actions
that facilitate performance of a mitzva override Shabbat. This is
not a fixed principle with regard to preparations for all mitzvot. Rather, each
case must be considered on its own merits, and proof must be cited that this
principle applies to a specific mitzvah.” (Sefaria.org translation)
After proving that all
the preparation of the two loaves of bread offer up on the holiday of Shavuot overrides
the Sabbath based on a gezera shava[i],
the Gemara teaches us that all the preparation the lulav, the building of a
sukkah, matza, and shofar overrides the Sabbath. We cannot use each one of
these mitzvot to learn a general principle. Each one is unique and scriptural
proof is needed to support Rabbi Eliezer’s position. The two loaves of bread
are unique because they are a sacrifice offered up to God. The lulav is unique
because it contains the four species. The sukkah is unique because it applies
both to day and night. Matza is unique because it applies both to women and men
equally. The shofar blasts are unique because the Torah emphasizes “on that day”
teaching not only blowing the blasts, but also all the preparation of making a
shofar. If you are interested, go to our daf for all the specific proof texts
for each mitzvah.
So if Rabbi Eliezer is
not providing us with a general rule, what mitzvot’s preparation doesn’t
override the Sabbath? “Rav Adda bar Ahava said: The statement of Rabbi
Yoḥanan comes to exclude attaching ritual fringes to his garment and
affixing a mezuza to the doorway, which do not override Shabbat.
The Gemara notes that that was also taught in a baraita: And
they, Rabbi Eliezer and the Rabbis, agree that if one attached ritual
fringes to his garment on Shabbat, and similarly, if one affixed
a mezuza to his doorway on Shabbat, that he is liable.”
Why does the Gemara
spend so much real estate explaining in detail Rabbi Eliezer’s position? I
think the Gemara wants to teach us to respect other people’s well-thought-out
and reasoned positions even though we do not agree with them. I believe this is
a lesson that both the right and the left of our political spectrum needs to
learn. Instead of name-calling and labeling the other side without any other further
arguments, each side should provide its reasons for its position and be ready
to defend them. Only that way we voters
can make intelligent decisions in November.
[i] For
a definition of a gezara shava see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmudical_hermeneutics#Gezerah_shavah_(%D7%92%D7%96%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%94_%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%94)
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