Reflections (הרהורים) are permitted TB Shabbat 150

Today’s daf TB Shabbat 150 makes the prohibition of conducting business clear. “MISHNA: A person may not hire workers on Shabbat to work for him after Shabbat because even speaking about weekday matters is prohibited on Shabbat. Similarly, a person may not tell another on Shabbat to hire workers for him. One may not even wait for nightfall at the edge of the Shabbat boundary in order to leave the boundary immediately after Shabbat to hire workers for himself or to bring produce from his field” (Sefaria.org translation)

 The Gemara makes a distinction between speaking and contemplating (הרהורים) where speaking is forbidden and just thinking about a prohibited action is permitted. “Rabbi Yoḥanan said: What is the reason for Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa’s ruling? As it is written in the verse from which we derive the prohibition to speak on Shabbat about activities that one may not perform on that day: “And you shall honor it by not doing your ways, nor pursuing your business, nor speaking of it” (Isaiah 58:13). We derive from this verse that speaking is prohibited, but merely contemplating these matters is permitted. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: What is the reason for Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa’s ruling? As it is written in the verse from which we derive the prohibition to speak on Shabbat about activities that one may not perform on that day: “And you shall honor it by not doing your ways, nor pursuing your business, nor speaking of it” (Isaiah 58:13). We derive from this verse that speaking is prohibited, but merely contemplating these matters is permitted.” (Sefaria.org translation)

 I am reminded of an old joke. A rabbi from the pulpit announces the topic of the following week’s sermon. He says, “Next week my topic will be Sex Appeal.” One of his parishioners groans and complains, “Oh no, not another appeal!” Synagogues have regularly have had appeals on Shabbat and other holy days. I have participated in Yizkor appeals, oil appeals (money to keep the old Broadway synagogue warm during the winter), and an appeal to repair flood damage. One might think that this type of business is forbidden and has no place in the synagogue. One would be wrong because for the sake of a mitzvah a person is allowed to speak and make calculations. 

“But Rav Ḥisda and Rav Hamnuna both said: It is permitted to make calculations pertaining to a mitzva on Shabbat, and Rabbi Elazar said that this means that one may apportion charity for the poor on Shabbat. And Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One may attend to activities necessary for saving a life or for communal needs on Shabbat, and one may go to a synagogue to attend to communal affairs on Shabbat.

 “And Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One may go to theaters [tarteiot], and circus performances [kirkesaot], and courthouses [basilkaot] to attend to communal affairs on Shabbat. (Gladiators and prisoners were tried or fought other gladiators or wild beasts in these places. The public could weigh in decide the fate of these people. As depicted in the movies thumbs-up or thumbs down to determine whether the prisoner lived or died. The rabbis permitted attending and voting in order to save Jewish lives-gg) And one of the Sages in the school of Menashe taught: One may make the necessary arrangements to pair off children so that they will be betrothed on Shabbat, and one may likewise make arrangements for a child by finding someone to teach him how to read books and to teach him a craft. If speaking about monetary matters is prohibited on Shabbat, how is it possible to participate in all these activities? The Gemara answers that although speaking about similar things is generally prohibited on Shabbat, it is permitted in these cases because the verse said: “Nor pursuing your business, nor speaking of it” (Isaiah 58:13), which indicates that your business matters are prohibited to speak of on Shabbat, but the business of Heaven, matters which have religious significance, is permitted to speak of.” (Sefaria.org translation)

 Today’s daf must be the basis of the fourth stanza of the Friday song Mah Yedidut.

Your secular concerns are forbidden; so too are you calculations.

Reflections (הרהורים) are permitted, and arranging matches for girls,

In teaching a child a book, and singing songs of praise,

And meditating and fine words at every place and gathering.  (Koren Siddur, page 388)