Shabbat shalom TB Shabbat 157

 With daf TB Shabbat 157 we conclude our massekhet. The penultimate Mishnah of the tractate on TB Shabbat 156b and the discussion that follows on to today’s daf allows us to review the basic disagreement between Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Yehuda concerning mukzeh. “…And likewise one may cut an animal carcass before the dogs on Shabbat. Rabbi Yehuda says: If it was not already a carcass, i.e., it was not dead, prior to Shabbat, it is prohibited to cut it or even move it on Shabbat because it is not prepared for use on Shabbat.” (Sefaria.org translation)

 According to Rabbi Shimon the default position on what is mukzeh is limited. Anything (usually a tool) that I can benefit from on Shabbat whether or not I designated it for a specific purpose for that Shabbat, isn’t considered mukzeh and can be used on Shabbat. Rabbi Yehuda’s default position on mukzeh is much more expensive. If a person doesn’t designate the item before Shabbat for use on Shabbat, it is mukzeh and we are forbidden to move it. The Mishnah makes Rabbi Yehuda’s position clear and understandable why a person may not cut a carcass for animal food when it died on Shabbat.

 Three Amoraim, Ulla, Rav, and Levi say that the halakhah is according to Rabbi Yehuda and three Amoraim, Shmuel, Ze’eri, and Rabbi Yokhanan say the halakhah is according to Rabbi Shimon. The Gemara concludes, “Rav Aḥa and Ravina disputed this matter. One said: In all of the halakhot of Shabbat in which there is a tannaitic dispute involving Rabbi Shimon, the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, except for the case of an item set aside due to repulsiveness. And what is that case? It is the case of an old oil lamp, which may not be moved on Shabbat, contrary to Rabbi Shimon’s opinion. And one said: In the case of an item set aside due to repulsiveness, the halakha is also in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon except for the case of set aside due to prohibition. And what is that case? It is the case of moving an oil lamp that one kindled for that very Shabbat (The oil lamp is lit with a wick. The lamp becomes a base for something that is prohibited. The fear is the moving of the lamp would extinguish the flame which is one of the 39 prohibited laborers.-gg). However, with regard to an item set aside due to monetary loss, even Rabbi Shimon concedes that it is prohibited to move that item, as we learned in a mishna according to his position: All vessels may be moved on Shabbat except for a large saw and the blade of a plow, both of which are prohibited. Due to their significance, their owners make certain that they will not be damaged.” (Sefaria.org translation)

 Ultimately as you can see, the Gemara favors Rabbi Shimon’s position on mukzeh which is good to remember now that we have finished massekhet Shabbat. Tomorrow we shall start massekhet Eiruvin. So we say:

 “חדרן עליך-We will return to you tractate Shabbat…May it be your will, Lord my God, just as you have helped me to complete tractate Shabbat, so too may you help me to start other tractates and books, and to complete them, to learn and to teach, to observe and to enact and to fulfill all the words of the teaching of your Torah with love.” (Sefaria.org translation) In other words, Shabbat shalom!