Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
This chapter of Hilchos Shabbos focuses on the Rabbinic and Torah prohibitions associated with the melacha of Makeh B'patish (dealing the final hammer blow), specifically regarding the creation, widening, or closing of holes in vessels, and the breaking of containers to access food. It outlines the parameters of what constitutes fashioning a utensil and what is permitted for immediate food consumption.
Additionally, the chapter addresses the scope of completing the fashioning of an object. This includes the Rabbinic decrees enacted to prevent the repair of musical instruments, which forbid producing musical tones or rhythmic sounds on Shabbos.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת נֶקֶב בְּשַׁבָּת מִשּׁוּם מַכֶּה בְּפַטִּישׁHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Making a Hole on Shabbos Under the Category of a Final Hammer Blow
הָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesנֶקֶבa holeשֶׁהוּאthat isעָשׂוּיmadeלְהַכְנִיסto bring inוּלְהוֹצִיאand to bring outכְּגוֹןfor exampleנֶקֶבa holeשֶׁבְּלוּלthat is in a coop ofהַתַּרְנְגוֹלִיןthe chickensשֶׁהוּאthat isעָשׂוּיmadeלְהַכְנִיסto bring inהָאוֹרָהthe lightוּלְהוֹצִיאand to bring outהַהֶבֶלthe foul airהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמַכֶּהstrikingבְּפַטִּישׁ.with a hammerלְפִיכָךְThereforeגָּזְרוּthey decreedעַלagainstכָּלanyנֶקֶבholeאֲפִלּוּeven ifהָיָהit wasעָשׂוּיmadeלְהוֹצִיאto bring outבִּלְבַדaloneאוֹorלְהַכְנִיסto bring inבִּלְבַדaloneשֶׁמָּאlestיָבוֹאhe will comeלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeנֶקֶבa holeשֶׁחַיָּבִיןthat one is liableעָלָיו.for itוּמִפְּנֵיAnd because ofזֶהthisאֵיןwe do notנוֹקְבִיןpierceבְּחָבִיתin a barrelנֶקֶבa holeחָדָשׁnewוְאֵיןand we do notמוֹסִיפִיןaddבּוֹ.to itאֲבָלButפּוֹתְחִיןwe may openנֶקֶבa holeיָשָׁן.oldוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאprovided thatיִהְיֶהwill not beהַנֶּקֶבthe holeלְמַטָּהbelowמִןfromהַשְּׁמָרִיםthe dregsשֶׁאִםfor ifהָיָהit wasלְמַטָּהbelowמִןfromהַשְּׁמָרִיםthe dregsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisעָשׂוּיis madeלְחַזֵּקto strengthenוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלְפָתְחוֹ:to open it
This halacha discusses the prohibition of making or widening holes in vessels on Shabbos, distinguishing between functional openings and merely reopening old ones.
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פְּתִיחַת חָבִית וּמְגוּפָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · Opening a Barrel and its Seal on Shabbos
נוֹקְבִיןOne may pierceמְגוּפָהthe sealשֶׁלofחָבִיתa barrelלְהוֹצִיאto extractמִמֶּנָּהfrom itיַיִןwineוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁיְּנַקְּבֶנָּהּthat he pierces itמִלְּמַעְלָהfrom aboveאֲבָלbutמִצִּדָּהּfrom its sideאָסוּרit is forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאit isכִּמְתַקֵּןlike preparingכְּלִי.a vesselשׁוֹבֵרOne may breakאָדָםa personאֶת—הֶחָבִיתthe barrelלֶאֱכלto eatמִמֶּנָּהfrom itגְּרוֹגָרוֹתdried figsוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendsלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeכְּלִי.a vesselוּמֵבִיאAnd one may bringאָדָםa personחָבִיתa barrelשֶׁלofיַיִןwineוּמַתִּיזand chop offאֶת—רֹאשָׁהּits topבְּסַיִףwith a swordלִפְנֵיbeforeהָאוֹרְחִיןthe guestsוְאֵינוֹand he does notחוֹשֵׁשׁ.worryשֶׁאֵיןfor notכַּוָּנָתוֹhis intention isאֶלָּאexceptלְהַרְאוֹתto showנְדִיבַתthe generosity ofלִבּוֹ:his heart
This halacha discusses the permissible ways to open a barrel or pierce its seal on Shabbos without violating the prohibition of making a vessel.
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אִסּוּר סְתִימַת נֶקֶב בְּשַׁבָּת וְהַעֲרָמָה בְּמַאֲכָלHalacha 3 · The Prohibition of Closing a Hole on Shabbos and Using Guile with Food
וּכְשֵׁםAnd just asשֶׁאָסוּרthat it is forbiddenלִפְתֹּחַto openכָּלanyנֶקֶבholeכָּךְsoאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִסְתֹּםto closeכָּלanyנֶקֶב.holeלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִסְתֹּםto closeנֶקֶבa hole ofהֶחָבִיתthe barrelוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּדָבָרwith a thingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notמִתְמָרֵחַspreadableוְאֵינוֹand does notבָּאcomeלִידֵיto the state ofסְחִיטָהsqueezingכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁיִּסְתֹּםthat he closesבְּקֵיסָםwith a splinterאוֹorבִּצְרוֹרwith a pebbleקָטָן.smallאֲבָלbutאִםifהִנִּיחַhe placedשָׁםthereאֹכֶלfoodכְּדֵיin orderלְהַצְנִיעוֹto store itוְנִמְצָאand it turns outהַנֶּקֶבthe holeנִסְתָּםis closedמֻתָּר.it is permittedוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְהַעֲרִיםto act with guileבְּדָבָרin thisזֶה:matter
This halacha establishes that closing any hole is forbidden on Shabbos, even with non-spreadable items, but permits storing food in the opening even if it incidentally plugs the hole.
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אִסּוּר הַשְׁמָעַת קוֹל שִׁיר וּמַכֶּה בְּפַטִּישׁ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 4 · The Prohibition of Making Musical Sounds and the Melacha of Striking a Final Blow on Shabbos
כָּלAnyדָּבָרthingשֶׁהוּאthat isגְּמַרthe completion ofמְלָאכָהmelachaחַיָּבone is liableעָלָיוfor itמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמַכֶּהstrikingבְּפַטִּישׁ.with a hammerוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofזֶהthisהַגּוֹרֵרone who filesכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountאוֹorהַמְתַקֵּןone who repairsכְּלִיa vesselבְּאֵיזֶהwith anyדָּבָרthingשֶׁיְּתַקֵּןthat he repairsחַיָּב.is liableלְפִיכָךְThereforeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהַשְׁמִיעַto make heardקוֹלa soundשֶׁלofשִׁירsongבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבֵּיןwhetherבִּכְלֵיwith instruments ofשִׁירsongכְּגוֹןsuch asכִּנּוֹרוֹתharpsוּנְבָלִיםand lyresבֵּיןwhetherבִּשְׁאָרwith otherדְּבָרִים.thingsאֲפִלּוּevenלְהַכּוֹתto strikeבְּאֶצְבַּעwith a fingerעַלonהַקַּרְקַעthe groundאוֹorעַלonהַלּוּחַthe boardאוֹorאַחַתoneכְּנֶגֶדagainstאַחַתanotherכְּדֶרֶךְin the manner ofהַמְשׁוֹרְרִיםthe singersאוֹorלְקַשְׁקֵשׁto rattleאֶת—הָאֱגוֹזthe nutלְתִינוֹקfor a childאוֹorלְשַׂחֵקto playבּוֹwith itבְּזוֹגwith a bellכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּשְׁתֹּקthat he will be quietכָּלall ofזֶהthisוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itאָסוּרis forbiddenגְּזֵרָהas a decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיְתַקֵּןhe will repairכְּלֵיan instrument ofשִׁיר:song
This halacha defines the melacha of striking a final blow (makeh b'patish) and explains the Rabbinic decree against making musical sounds on Shabbos to prevent repairing instruments.
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אִסּוּר סִפּוּק וְרִקּוּד וּשְׂחִיָּה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · Prohibitions of Clapping, Dancing, and Swimming on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notמְסַפְּקִיןclap handsוְלֹאand notמְרַקְּדִיןdanceוְאֵיןand we do notמְטַפְּחִיןslap thighsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיְתַקֵּןone will repairכְּלֵיinstruments ofשִׁיר.songוּלְסַפֵּקAnd to clapכִּלְאַחַרback ofיָדhandמֻתָּר.is permittedאֵיןWe do notשָׁטִיןswimעַלuponפְּנֵיthe surface ofהַמַּיִםthe waterגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיְתַקֵּןone will makeחָבִיתa barrelשֶׁלofשַׁיָּטִין.swimmersבְּרֵכָהA poolשֶׁבֶּחָצֵרthat is in a courtyardמֻתָּרit is permittedלָשׁוּטto swimבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itשֶׁאֵינוֹsince he does notבָּאcomeלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeחָבִיתa barrelשֶׁלofשַׁיָּטִיןswimmersוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיִּהְיֶהprovided that there isלָהּfor itשָׂפָהa rimמֻקֶּפֶתsurroundingשֶׁלֹּאso that notיֵעָקֵרwill overflowמִמֶּנָּהfrom itהַמַּיִם.the waterכְּדֵיsoשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there will beהֶכֵּרa recognitionוְהֶפְרֵשׁand a distinctionבֵּינָהּbetween itוּבֵיןand betweenהַיָּם:the sea
The Sages prohibited clapping, dancing, and swimming on Shabbos due to decrees lest one repair a musical instrument or construct a swimmer's float.
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אִסּוּר תִּקּוּן כְּלִי בְּשַׁבָּת וַעֲשִׂיַּת מַרְזֵבHalacha 6 · The Prohibition of Preparing a Utensil and Making a Faucet on Shabbos
אֵיןOne may notחוֹתְכִיןcutשְׁפוֹפֶרֶתa tubeשֶׁלofקָנֶהa reedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכִּמְתַקֵּןlike preparingכְּלִי.a utensilהָיְתָהIf it wasחֲתוּכָהcutאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינָהּthat it is notמְתֻקֶּנֶתadjustedמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהַכְנִיסָהּto insert itבְּנֶקֶבinto the hole ofהֶחָבִיתthe barrelבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלְהוֹצִיאto extractמִמֶּנָּהfrom itיַיִןwineוְאֵיןand we do notחוֹשְׁשִׁיןconcern ourselvesשֶׁמָּאlestיְתַקֵּן.he will adjust itוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלְהַנִּיחַTo placeעָלֶהa leafשֶׁלofהֲדַסmyrtleוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itבְּתוֹךְinsideהַנֶּקֶבthe holeשֶׁלofחָבִיתa barrelכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּקַלֵּחַthat it will flowאֶת—הַיַּיִןthe wineמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכְּעוֹשֶׂהlike makingמַרְזֵבa gutterבְּשַׁבָּת.on ShabbosוְאֵיןAnd one may notשׁוֹבְרִיןbreakאֶת—הַחֶרֶסa shardוְאֵיןand one may notקוֹרְעִיןtearאֶת—הַנְּיָרpaperמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכִּמְתַקֵּןlike preparingכְּלִי:a utensil
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic prohibitions against cutting reeds, placing leaves to direct wine flow, and tearing paper, all of which resemble the melacha of making or preparing a utensil.
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טִלְטוּל זְמוֹרָה, צִחְצוּחַ כֵּלִים, הֲדָחַת קְעָרוֹת וְהַצָּעַת מִטּוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 7 · Drawing Water with a Branch, Polishing Silverware, Washing Dishes, and Making Beds on Shabbos
זְמוֹרָהA branchשֶׁהִיאthat isקְשׁוּרָהtiedבְּטָפִיחַto a pitcherמְמַלְּאִיןwe may draw waterבָּהּwith itבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְאִםand ifאֵינָהּit is notקְשׁוּרָהtiedאֵיןwe may notמְמַלְּאִיןdraw waterבָּהּwith itגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִקְטֹםone trimאוֹתָהּitוְיִתְקָעָהּ.and insert itאָסוּרIt is forbiddenלָחֹףto polishכְּלֵיvessels ofכֶּסֶףsilverבְּגַרְתָּקוֹןwith greitikonמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itמְלַבְּנָןwhitens themכְּדֶרֶךְlike the wayשֶׁהָאֻמָּנִיןthat the craftsmenעוֹשִׂיןdoוְנִמְצָאand it turns outכִּמְתַקֵּןlike one who repairsכְּלִיa vesselוְגוֹמֵרand completesמְלַאכְתּוֹhis workבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosאֲבָלbutחוֹפְפִיןwe may polishאוֹתוֹitבְּחוֹלwith sandוּבְנֶתֶר.and with neterוְכֵןand soכָּלallהַכֵּלִיםthe vesselsחוֹפְפִיןwe may polishאוֹתָןthemבְּכָלwith anyדָּבָר.substanceוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלְהָדִיחַto washקְעָרוֹתplatesוְאִלְפָּסִיןand stew potsוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכִּמְתַקֵּןlike one who repairsאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הֱדִיחָןone washed themלֶאֱכלto eatבָּהֶןwith themסְעֻדָּהa mealאַחֶרֶתanotherבְּאוֹתָהּon thatשַׁבָּת.Shabbosאֲבָלbutכְּלֵיvessels ofשְׁתִיָּהdrinkingכְּגוֹןsuch asכּוֹסוֹתcupsוְקִיתוֹנוֹתand pitchersמֻתָּרit is permittedלַהֲדִיחָןto wash themבְּכָלat anyעֵתtimeשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noקֶבַעfixed timeלִשְׁתִיָּה.for drinkingוְאֵיןAnd we do notמַצִּיעִיןmakeאֶת—הַמִּטּוֹתthe bedsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּדֵיin orderלִישֹׁןto sleepעֲלֵיהֶןon themלְמוֹצָאֵיfor the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosאֲבָלbutמַצִּיעִיןwe may make themמִלֵּילֵיfrom the night ofשַׁבָּתShabbosלְשַׁבָּת:for Shabbos
This halacha details various Rabbinic restrictions on Shabbos, including drawing water, polishing utensils, washing dishes, and preparing beds for after Shabbos.
הל׳ ח
אִסּוּר הַטְבָּלַת כֵּלִים וְהַטְבָּלַת אָדָם וּמַיִם בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · The Prohibition of Immersing Utensils and the Permission for People and Water on Shabbos
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלְהַטְבִּילto immerseכֵּלִיםutensilsטְמֵאִיןimpureבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itכִּמְתַקֵּןis like repairingכְּלִי.a utensilאֲבָלbutאָדָםa personטָמֵאimpureמֻתָּרis permittedלִטְבּלto immerseמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנִּרְאֶהthat it appearsכְּמֵיקֵר.like cooling offוְאֵיןand we do notמַזִּיןsprinkleעָלָיוupon himבְּשַׁבָּת.on ShabbosהַמַּטְבִּילOne who immersesכֵּלִיםutensilsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבְּשׁוֹגֵגunintentionallyיִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁmay useבָּהֶן.themבְּמֵזִידintentionallyלֹאnotיִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁshall useבָּהֶןthemעַדuntilלְמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְהַטְבִּילto immerseאֶת—הַמַּיִםthe waterהַטְּמֵאִיםthe impureבְּשַׁבָּת.on ShabbosכֵּיצַדHowיַעֲשֶׂה.shall he doנוֹתְנָןHe places themבִּכְלִיin a vesselשֶׁאֵינוֹthat does notמְקַבֵּלreceiveטֻמְאָהimpurityכְּגוֹןsuch asכְּלֵיvessels ofאֲבָנִיםstoneוּמַטְבִּילand immersesהַכֵּלִיםthe vesselבַּמִּקְוֶהin the mikvehעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲלֶהthat there risesמֵיthe water ofהַמִּקְוֶהthe mikvehעֲלֵיהֶןupon themוְיִטְהָרוּ:and they become pure
This halacha details the Rabbinic prohibition against purifying impure utensils on Shabbos due to its resemblance to repairing an object, while contrasting this with the permission granted for people and impure water.
הל׳ ט
אִסּוּר הַפְרָשַׁת תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 9 · The Prohibition of Separating Terumos and Tithes on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notמַגְבִּיהִיןseparateתְּרוּמוֹתterumosוּמַעַשְׂרוֹתand tithesבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנִּרְאֶהthat it appearsכִּמְתַקֵּןlike one who repairsדָּבָרa thingשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיָהwasמְתֻקָּן:repaired
Separating tithes on Shabbos is forbidden by Rabbinic decree because it resembles fixing an unusable item and making it fit for consumption.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר עִבּוּד עוֹר בְּשֶׁמֶן בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 10 · The Prohibition of Processing Leather with Oil on Shabbos
מְעַבֵּדProcessing leatherמֵאֲבוֹתfrom the primary categories ofמְלָאכוֹתlaborsהוּא.it isוְהַמְרַכֵּךְand one who softensעוֹרleatherבְּשֶׁמֶןwith oilכְּדֶרֶךְlike the mannerשֶׁהָעַבְּדָנִיםthat the leather-workersעוֹשִׂיםdoהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמְעַבֵּדis processing leatherוְחַיָּב.and is liableלְפִיכָךְthereforeלֹאnotיָסוּךְshall anointאָדָםa personרַגְלוֹhis footבְּשֶׁמֶןwith oilוְהוּאand it isבְּתוֹךְinsideהַמִּנְעָלthe shoeאוֹorבְּתוֹךְinsideהַסַּנְדָּלthe sandalהַחֲדָשִׁים.the new onesאֲבָלbutסָךְanointsהוּאheאֶת—רַגְלוֹhis footשֶׁמֶןwith oilוְלוֹבֵשׁand wearsמִנְעָלוֹhis shoeאוֹorסַנְדָּלוֹhis sandalאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֵןthat they areחֲדָשִׁים.newוְסָךְand he may anointכָּלall ofגּוּפוֹhis bodyשֶׁמֶןwith oilוּמִתְעַגֵּלand rollעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofקַטַּבְלִיָאa leather coverחֲדָשָׁהnewוְאֵינוֹand he need notחוֹשֵׁשׁ.be concernedבַּמֶּהin whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidכְּשֶׁהָיָהwhen wasהַשֶּׁמֶןthe oilמֻעָטminimalכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּצַחְצֵחַthat it will polishהָעוֹרthe leatherבִּלְבַדonlyאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהthere wasבִּבְשָׂרוֹon his fleshשֶׁמֶןoilהַרְבֵּהabundantכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּרַכֵּךְthat it will softenהָעוֹרthe leatherהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכִּמְעַבְּדוֹ.like processing itוְהַכּלand all of thisבַּחֲדָשִׁיםis with new onesאֲבָלbutבִּישָׁנִיםwith old onesמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha discusses the forbidden labor of processing leather on Shabbos, specifically regarding the softening of new leather shoes or covers with oil.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר מְמָרֵחַ בְּשַׁבָּת וּסְתִימַת נֶקֶבHalacha 11 · The Prohibition of Smoothing on Shabbos and Plugging a Hole
הַמְמָרֵחַOne who spreadsרְטִיָּהa plasterבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמוֹחֵקsmoothingאֶת—הָעוֹר.the hideלְפִיכָךְThereforeאֵיןwe do notסוֹתְמִיןplugנֶקֶבa holeבְּשַׁעֲוָהwith waxוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהּto itשֶׁמָּאlestיְמָרֵחַhe will spreadוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּשֻׁמָּןwith fatאֵיןwe do notסוֹתְמִיןplugאֶת—הַנֶּקֶבthe holeגְּזֵרָהa decreeמִשּׁוּםbecause ofשַׁעֲוָה:wax
Spreading a plaster or wax on Shabbos is a derivative of the forbidden labor of smoothing a hide.
הל׳ יב
אִסּוּר כְּתִיבָה וּגְזֵרוֹת מִקָּח וּמִמְכָּר וּשְׂכִירוּת פּוֹעֲלִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 12 · The Prohibition of Writing and Decrees Against Commerce and Hiring Workers on Shabbos
כּוֹתֵבWritingמֵאֲבוֹתis from the primary categories ofמְלָאכוֹת.melachosלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִכְחלto paint the eyeבַּפּוּךְwith blue eye-paintוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itכְּכוֹתֵב.is like writingוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלִלְווֹתto borrowוּלְהַלְווֹתand to lendגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִכְתֹּב.one will writeוְכֵןand soאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִקְנוֹתto buyוְלִמְכֹּרand to sellוְלִשְׂכֹּרand to rentוּלְהַשְׂכִּירand to lease outגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִכְתֹּב.one will writeלֹאnotיִשְׂכֹּרshall hireאָדָםa personפּוֹעֲלִיםworkersבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְלֹאand notיֹאמַרshall he sayלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowלִשְׂכֹּרto hireלוֹfor himפּוֹעֲלִין.workersאֲבָלbutלִשְׁאלto borrowוּלְהַשְׁאִילand to lendמֻתָּר.is permittedשׁוֹאֵלborrowsאָדָםa personמֵחֲבֵרוֹfrom his fellowכַּדֵּיjugs ofיַיִןwineוְכַדֵּיand jugs ofשֶׁמֶןoilוּבִלְבַדand onlyשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֵאָמֵרhe shall sayלוֹto himהַלְוֵינִי:lend me
This halacha details the Rabbinic prohibitions enacted to prevent a person from writing on Shabbos, including business transactions, hiring workers, and formal loans.
הל׳ יג
אִסּוּר מִקָּח וּמִמְכָּר וּמְדִידָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · The Prohibition of Buying, Selling, and Measuring on Shabbos
אֶחָדWhetherהַמּוֹכֵרone who sellsבַּפֶּהby mouthאוֹorבִּמְסִירָהby deliveryאָסוּר.it is forbiddenוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלִשְׁקלto weighבֵּיןwhetherבְּמֹאזְנַיִםwith scalesבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלֹּאnotבְּמֹאזְנַיִם.with scalesוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁאָסוּרthat it is forbiddenלִשְׁקלto weighכָּךְsoאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִמְנוֹתto countוְלִמְדֹּדand to measureבֵּיןwhetherבִּכְלִיwith a vessel ofמִדָּהmeasurementבֵּיןwhetherבַּיָּדby handבֵּיןwhetherבְּחֶבֶל:with a rope
This halacha details the Rabbinic prohibition against conducting business transactions, weighing, counting, or measuring items on Shabbos.
הל׳ יד
אִסּוּר דִּין וְקִדּוּשִׁין וְהַפְרָשַׁת תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 14 · Prohibition of Convening Court, Betrothal, and Separating Tithes on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notדָּנִיןjudgeבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְלֹאand notחוֹלְצִיןdo we perform chalitzahוְלֹאand notמְיַבְּמִיןdo we perform yibbumוְלֹאand notמְקַדְּשִׁיןdo we betrothגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִכְתֹּב.one will writeוְאֵיןand we do notמַקְדִּישִׁיןconsecrateוְלֹאand notמַעֲרִיכִיןdo we make endowment evaluationsוְלֹאand notמַחְרִימִיןdo we declare property heremמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itכְּמִקָּחis like buyingוּמִמְכָּר.and sellingוְאֵיןand we do notמַגְבִּיהִיןseparateתְּרוּמוֹתterumosוּמַעַשְׂרוֹתand tithesשֶׁזֶּהfor thisדּוֹמֶהis similarלְמַקְדִּישׁto consecratingאוֹתָןthemפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsשֶׁהִפְרִישׁ.that he separatedוְעוֹדand furthermoreמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat heכִּמְתַקֵּןis like fixingאוֹתָןthemבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְאֵיןand we do notמְעַשְּׂרִיןtitheאֶת—הַבְּהֵמָהthe animalגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִרְשֹׁםone will markבְּסִיקְרָא.with red paintוּמַקְדִּישׁbut consecratesאָדָםa personפִּסְחוֹhis Pesach offeringבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוַחֲגִיגָתוֹand his festive offeringבְּיוֹםon a festivalטוֹבdayשֶׁזּוֹfor thisמִצְוַתis the mitzvah ofהַיּוֹםthe dayהִיא.itוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁאֵיןthat we do notמַקְדִּישִׁיןconsecrateכָּךְsoאֵיןwe do notמְקַדְּשִׁיןsanctifyמֵיthe waters ofחַטָּאת:purification
This halacha details Rabbinic prohibitions enacted on Shabbos to prevent writing, commercial transactions, or fixing items for use.
הל׳ טו
דִּין הַמַּפְרִישׁ תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת וְהַמַּקְדִּישׁ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 15 · The Validity of Separating Tithes, Consecrating Objects, and Making Transactions on Shabbos
הַמַּגְבִּיהַּOne who separatesתְּרוּמוֹתterumosוּמַעַשְׂרוֹתand tithesבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאוֹorבְּיוֹםon YomטוֹבTovבְּשׁוֹגֵגunintentionallyיֹאכַלmay eatמִמַּהfrom thatשֶּׁהִתְקִין.which he preparedבְּמֵזִידintentionallyלֹאhe may notיֹאכַלeatעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוּבֵיןand whetherכָּךְsoוּבֵיןand whetherכָּךְsoתִּקֵּןhe has preparedאֶת—הַפֵּרוֹת.the produceוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמַּקְדִּישׁone who consecratesאוֹorהַמַּעֲרִיךְone who makes an evaluationאוֹorהַמַּחֲרִיםone who declares heremבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבֵּיןwhetherבְּשׁוֹגֵגunintentionallyבֵּיןwhetherבְּמֵזִידintentionallyמַהwhatשֶּׁעָשָׂהhe didעָשׂוּיis doneוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayבְּיוֹםon Yomטוֹב.TovוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמַּקְנֶהone who transfers ownershipלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosקָנָה.he has acquiredמְעַשְּׂרִיןWe may titheאֶת—הַדְּמַאיdemaiבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsאֲבָלbutלֹאnotאֶת—הַוַּדַּאי:certain untithed produce
This halacha discusses the post-facto validity of separating tithes, consecrating property, or making transactions on Shabbos, and the permissibility of tithing demai during twilight.
הל׳ טז
אִסּוּר נְתִינַת תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 16 · The Prohibition of Giving Terumos and Ma'asros on Shabbos
מִיOneשֶׁקָּרָאwho designatedשֵׁםa nameלִתְרוּמַתfor terumasמַעֲשֵׂרma'aserשֶׁלofדְּמַאיdemaiאוֹorלְמַעֲשַׂרfor ma'aserעָנִיof the poorשֶׁלofוַדַּאיcertaintyלֹאshould notיִטְלֵםtake themבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיְּיַחֵדhe designatedמְקוֹמָןtheir placeמִקֹּדֶםfrom beforeהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosוַהֲרֵיand beholdהֵןtheyיְדוּעִיןare knownוּמֻנָּחִיןand placedבְּצַדat the side ofהַפֵּרוֹת.the fruitsוְאִםand ifהָיָהthere wasכֹּהֵןa kohenאוֹorעָנִיa poor personלְמוּדִיםaccustomedלֶאֱכלto eatאֶצְלוֹwith himיָבוֹאוּthey may comeוְיֹאכְלוּ.and eatוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁיּוֹדִיעַthat he informsלַכֹּהֵןthe kohenשֶׁזּוֹthat thisשֶׁאֲנִיwhich Iמַאֲכִילְךָam feeding youתְּרוּמַתis terumasמַעֲשֵׂרma'aserוְיוֹדִיעַand he informsלֶעָנִיthe poor personשֶׁזּוֹthat thisשֶׁאֲנִיwhich Iמַאֲכִילְךָam feeding youמַעֲשַׂרis ma'aserעָנִי:of the poor
This halacha discusses the prohibition of separating and giving tithes on Shabbos, and the specific leniency when hosting a kohen or a poor person.
הל׳ יז
אִסּוּר הֲטָלַת גּוֹרָל וּשְׂחוֹק בְּקֻבִּיָּא בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 17 · Prohibition of Casting Lots and Playing Dice on Shabbos
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלְהָפִיסto draw lotsוּלְשַׂחֵקand to playבְּקֻבִּיָּאwith diceבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכְּמִקָּחlike buyingוּמִמְכָּר.and sellingוּמֵפִיסbut may draw lotsאָדָםa personעִםwithבָּנָיוhis childrenוְעִםand withבְּנֵיthe members ofבֵּיתוֹhis householdעַלoverמָנָהa portionגְּדוֹלָהlargeכְּנֶגֶדagainstמָנָהa portionקְטַנָּהsmallמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat they do notמַקְפִּידִין:mind
This halacha explains that casting lots and playing dice are forbidden on Shabbos as they resemble commercial transactions, except when done within one's household where there is no competition.
הל׳ יח
אִסּוּר חִשּׁוּב חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת וְהַתְּנָאִים לְכָךְHalacha 18 · The Prohibition of Calculating Accounts on Shabbos and the Exceptions
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלְחַשֵּׁבto calculateחֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹתaccountsשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלָהֶןthemבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁעָבַרthat passedבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁעָתִידthat is destinedלִהְיוֹתto beגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִכְתֹּב.he will writeלְפִיכָךְThereforeחֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹתcalculationsשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהֶןin themצֹרֶךְneedמֻתָּרit is permittedלְחַשְּׁבָן.to calculate themכֵּיצַד.How soכַּמָּהHow manyסְאִיןse'ahתְּבוּאָהof grainהָיָהwasלָנוּto usבְּשָׁנָהin yearפְּלוֹנִית,such and suchכַּמָּהhow manyדִּינָרִיןdinarimהוֹצִיאhe spentבְּחַתְנוּתon the wedding ofבְּנוֹ,his sonוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבְּאֵלּוּto theseשֶׁהֵןwhich theyבִּכְלַלin the category ofשִׂיחָהconversationבְּטֵלָהidleשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהֶןin themצֹרֶךְneedכְּלָל,at allהַמְחַשֵּׁבone who calculatesאוֹתָןthemבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכִּמְחַשֵּׁבis like one who calculatesבְּחל:on a weekday
The Sages prohibited calculating necessary financial accounts on Shabbos to prevent writing, but permitted idle calculations of no practical consequence.
הל׳ יט
אִסּוּר קְרִיאַת שִׁטְרֵי הֶדְיוֹטוֹת וּכְתָבִים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 19 · Prohibition of Reading Mundane Documents and Sacred Writings During Study Hours on Shabbos
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלִקְרוֹתto readבְּשִׁטְרֵיin documents ofהֶדְיוֹטוֹתordinary mattersבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁלֹּאso that notיְהֵאit will beכְּדֶרֶךְlike the way ofחֹלweekdayוְיָבֹאand he will comeלִמְחֹק.to eraseמוֹנֶהCountsאָדָםa personפַּרְפְּרוֹתָיוhis dessertsוְאֶתand —אוֹרְחָיוhis guestsמִפִּיוfrom his mouthאֲבָלbutלֹאnotמִןfromהַכְּתָבthe writingכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִקְרָאhe will readבְּשִׁטְרֵיin documents ofהֶדְיוֹטוֹת.ordinary mattersלְפִיכָךְThereforeאִםifהָיוּwereהַשֵּׁמוֹתthe namesחֲקוּקִיןengravedעַלuponהַטַּבְלָהthe tabletאוֹorעַלuponהַכֹּתֶלthe wallמֻתָּרit is permittedלִקְרוֹתָןto read themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵינוֹthat it is notמִתְחַלֵּףinterchangedבִּשְׁטָר.with a documentוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלִקְרוֹתto readבִּכְתָבin writingהַמְהַלֵּךְthat runsתַּחַתunderהַצּוּרָהthe figureוְתַחַתand underהַדְּיוּקְנִיthe imageבְּשַׁבָּת.on ShabbosאַףEvenלִקְרוֹתto readבַּכְּתוּבִיםin the Sacred Writingsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofבֵּיתthe House ofהַמִּדְרָשׁStudyאָסוּרis forbiddenגְּזֵרָהa decreeמִשּׁוּםbecause ofבִּטּוּלneglect ofבֵּיתthe House ofהַמִּדְרָשׁStudyשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִהְיֶהthere will beכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneיוֹשֵׁבsittingבְּבֵיתוֹin his houseוְקוֹרֵאand readingוְיִמָּנַעand be withheldמִבֵּיתfrom the House ofהַמִּדְרָשׁ:Study
This halacha details the Rabbinic prohibitions against reading weekday documents, captions under images, and even Sacred Writings during the hours of public Torah study on Shabbos.
הל׳ כ
הַצָּלַת מָזוֹן וְכֵלִים מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 20 · Saving Food and Utensils from a Fire on Shabbos
נָפְלָהfellדְּלֵקָהa fireבֶּחָצֵרin a courtyardבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֵינוֹhe does notמַצִּילsaveכָּלallמַהthatשֶּׁיֵּשׁthere isבֶּחָצֵרin the courtyardלְחָצֵרto a courtyardאַחֶרֶתanotherשֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹthat is in thatהַמָּבוֹיalleywayאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁעֵרְבוּthey made an eruvגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיְכַבֶּהhe will extinguishהַדְּלֵקָהthe fireכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיַּצִּילthat he will saveמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאָדָםthat a personבָּהוּלis panickedעַלoverמָמוֹנוֹ.his propertyלְפִיכָךְthereforeגָּזְרוּthey decreedשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַצִּילhe shall saveאֶלָּאexceptמָזוֹןfoodשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלוֹ·לְאוֹתוֹfor thatשַׁבָּתShabbosוְכֵלִיםand utensilsשֶׁצָּרִיךְthat he needsלְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁto useבָּהֶןthemבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוּבְגָדִיםand clothesשֶׁיָּכוֹלthat he canלִלְבּשׁ.wearשֶׁנִּמְצָאso that he is foundמִתְיָאֵשׁdespairingמִןofהַכּלeverythingוְאֵינוֹand he does notבָּאcomeלִידֵיto the hands ofכִּבּוּי.extinguishingוְאִםand ifלֹאnotעֵרְבוּthey made an eruvאַףevenמְזוֹנוֹhis foodוְכֵלָיוand his utensilsאֵינוֹhe does notמַצִּיל:save
This halacha details the Rabbinic decree restricting what one may salvage from a fire on Shabbos to prevent him from extinguishing it.
הל׳ כא
הַצָּלַת מָזוֹן מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 21 · Saving Food from a Fire on Shabbos
וּמַהAnd whatהוּאdoes heמַצִּילsaveלִמְזוֹנוֹ.for his foodאִםIfנָפְלָהthere fellדְּלֵקָהa fireבְּלֵילֵיon the nights ofשַׁבָּתShabbosמַצִּילִיןwe saveמְזוֹןfood ofשָׁלֹשׁthreeסְעֻדּוֹת.mealsהָרָאוּיthat which is fitלְאָדָםfor a humanלְאָדָםfor a humanוְהָרָאוּיand that which is fitלִבְהֵמָהfor an animalלִבְהֵמָה.for an animalנָפְלָהIf it fellבְּשַׁחֲרִיתin the morningמַצִּילִיןwe saveמְזוֹןfood ofשְׁתֵּיtwoסְעֻדּוֹת.mealsבְּמִנְחָהin the afternoonמַצִּילִיןwe saveמְזוֹןfood ofסְעֻדָּהmealאַחַת:one
One may only rescue the amount of food needed for the remaining meals of that Shabbos to prevent unnecessary exertion.
הל׳ כב
הַצָּלַת מָזוֹן מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה בִּכְלִי אֶחָדHalacha 22 · Saving Food from a Fire on Shabbos in a Single Container
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּמַצִּילregarding one who savesבְּכֵלִיםin vesselsהַרְבֵּהmanyאוֹorשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasמְמַלֵּאfillingכְּלִיa vesselוּמוֹצִיאוֹand bringing it outוּמְעָרֶהand emptying itוְחוֹזֵרand returningוּמְמַלֵּאand fillingאוֹתוֹitשֵׁנִיתa second timeהוּאitשֶׁאֵיןis that he does notמַצִּילsaveאֶלָּאexceptמַהwhatשֶּׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלוֹ.for himselfאֲבָלbutאִםifהוֹצִיאhe brought outכְּלִיvesselאֶחָדoneבְּהוֹצָאָהin a bringing outאַחַתsingleאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבּוֹin itכַּמָּהseveralסְעֻדּוֹתmealsמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha clarifies that the restriction on saving only enough food for immediate Shabbos meals applies when using multiple vessels or multiple trips, but a single large vessel may be filled and saved all at once.
הל׳ כג
הַצָּלַת מָזוֹן מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 23 · Saving Food from a Fire on Shabbos in a Single Vessel
כֵּיצַד.Howמַצִּילdoes one saveסַלa basketמָלֵאfilled withכִּכָּרוֹתloaves of breadאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבּוֹin itכַּמָּהseveralסְעֻדּוֹת.mealsוְעִגּוּלand a cakeשֶׁלofדְּבֵלָהdried figsוְחָבִיתand a caskשֶׁלofיַיִן.wineוְכֵןand so tooאִםifפָּרַשׂhe spread outטַלִּיתוֹhis garmentוְקִבֵּץand gatheredבָּהּin itכָּלallמַהthatשֶּׁיָּכוֹלhe is ableלְהוֹצִיאto removeוְהוֹצִיאָהּand he removed itמְלֵאָהfilledבְּבַתat oneאַחַתtimeמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha teaches that one may save a large quantity of food from a fire on Shabbos as long as it is carried out in a single vessel or garment at one time.
הל׳ כד
הַצָּלַת מָזוֹן מִדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּת עַל יְדֵי אֲחֵרִיםHalacha 24 · Saving Food from a Fire on Shabbos Through Others
וְאוֹמֵרAnd he saysלַאֲחֵרִיםto othersבּוֹאוּcomeוְהַצִּילוּand saveלָכֶםfor yourselvesוְכָלand eachאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneמַצִּילsavesמָזוֹןfoodשֶׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלוֹfor himselfאוֹorכְּלִיvesselאֶחָדoneשֶׁמַּחֲזִיקthat holdsאֲפִלּוּevenדָּבָרa thingגָּדוֹלlargeוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאitשֶׁלbelongs toמַצִּיל.the saverוְאִםand ifלֹאnotרָצָהwantedהַמַּצִּילthe saverלְקַחְתּוֹto take itוּנְתָנוֹand he gave itלִבְעָלָיוto its ownerמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himלִטּלto takeמִמֶּנּוּfrom himאַחַרafterהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosשְׂכַרpayment forעֲמָלוֹhis effortוְאֵיןand notזֶהthisשְׂכַרpayment forשַׁבָּתShabbosשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceאֵיןthere is notשָׁםthereמְלָאכָהmelachaוְלֹאand notאִסּוּרa prohibitionשֶׁלֹּאfor notהוֹצִיאוֹdid he carry it outאֶלָּאexceptבְּמָקוֹםin a placeמְעֹרָב:with an eruv
This halacha discusses the permission to invite others to save food from a fire on Shabbos and the status of the saved items and their compensation.
הל׳ כה
הַצָּלַת מַאֲכָלִים וּבְגָדִים מִדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּת וּבְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִיםHalacha 25 · Saving Food and Clothing from a Fire on Shabbos and Yom Kippur
הִצִּילHe savedפַּתa loaf ofנְקִיָּהfine flourאֵינוֹhe does notחוֹזֵרreturnוּמַצִּילand saveפַּתa loafשֶׁאֵינָהּthat is notנְקִיָּה.fine flourאֲבָלbutאִםifהִצִּילhe savedפַּתa loafשֶׁאֵינָהּthat is notנְקִיָּהfine flourחוֹזֵרhe returnsוּמַצִּילand savesפַּתa loaf ofנְקִיָּה.fine flourוּמַצִּילand one may saveבְּיוֹםon YomהַכִּפּוּרִיםKippurמַהwhatשֶּׁהוּאthat heצָרִיךְneedsלְשַׁבָּתfor ShabbosאִםifהָיָהwasיוֹםYomהַכִּפּוּרִיםKippurבְּעֶרֶבon the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosאֲבָלbutאֵינוֹone may notמַצִּילsaveבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלְיוֹםfor Yomהַכִּפּוּרִים.Kippurוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayלְיוֹםfor Yomטוֹב.Tovוְלֹאand notמִשַּׁבָּתfrom Shabbosזוֹthisלְשַׁבָּתfor Shabbosהַבָּאָה.the comingוּמַהand whatשֶּׁהוּאthat heמַצִּילsavesלִלְבּשׁ.to wearלוֹבֵשׁhe wearsכָּלallמַהwhatשֶּׁהוּאthat heיָכוֹלis ableלִלְבּשׁto wearוְעוֹטֵףand wraps himself inכָּלallמַהwhatשֶּׁהוּאthat heיָכוֹלis ableלַעֲטֹףto wrapוּמוֹצִיאand takes outוְאוֹמֵרand he saysלַאֲחֵרִיםto othersבּוֹאוּcomeוְהַצִּילוּand saveלָכֶם.for yourselvesוְכָלand everyאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneלוֹבֵשׁwearsוּמִתְעַטֵּףand wraps himselfבְּכֵלָיוin his garmentsוּמוֹצִיא.and takes outוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאitשֶׁלּוֹis hisכְּמוֹlikeהַמַּאֲכָלthe foodשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdמִןfromהַהֶפְקֵרthe ownerless propertyהֵןtheyזוֹכִין:acquire
This halacha details the specific rules of what foods and clothing may be saved from a fire on Shabbos and Yom Kippur, and how they are acquired from the ownerless state.
הל׳ כו
הַצָּלַת כִּתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 26 · Saving Sacred Writings from a Fire on Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלְהַצִּילto saveכָּלallכִּתְבֵיwritings ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holinessשֶׁיֵּשׁthat areבֶּחָצֵרin a courtyardלְחָצֵרto a courtyardאַחֶרֶתanotherשֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹthat is in thatהַמָּבוֹיalleywayוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthey did notעֵרְבוּ.make an eruvוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there isלַמָּבוֹיfor the alleywayשָׁלֹשׁthreeמְחִצּוֹתwallsוְלֶחִיand a postאֶחָד.oneוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they areכְּתוּבִיןwrittenאַשּׁוּרִיתin Assyrian scriptוּבִלְשׁוֹןand in the tongue ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holinessאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהthey wereכְּתוּבִיןwrittenבְּכָלin anyלָשׁוֹןlanguageאוֹorבִּכְתָבin scriptאַחֵרotherאֵיןwe do notמַצִּילִיןsaveאוֹתָןthemאֲפִלּוּeven ifהָיָהthere wasשָׁםthereעֵרוּב.an eruvוּבְחלand on a weekdayאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִקְרוֹתto readבָּהֶםfrom themאֶלָּאratherמַנִּיחָןone leaves themבִּמְקוֹםin a place ofהַתֹּרֶףneglectוְהֵןand theyמִתְאַבְּדִיןbecome destroyedמֵאֲלֵיהֶן:by themselves
This halacha outlines the conditions under which holy texts may be saved from a fire on Shabbos, depending on their script and language.
הל׳ כז
הַצָּלַת כִּתְבֵי קֹדֶשׁ וְגִלְיוֹנוֹת מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָהHalacha 27 · Saving Sacred Writings and Blank Margins from a Fire on Shabbos
הָיוּIf they wereכְּתוּבִיןwrittenבְּסַםwith paintוּבְסִיקְרָאand with red inkאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹit is notכְּתַבwritingשֶׁלofקַיָּמָאpermanenceהוֹאִילsinceוְהֵןtheyכְּתוּבִיןare writtenאַשּׁוּרִיתin Assyrian scriptוּבִלְשׁוֹןand in the tongueקֹדֶשׁof holinessמַצִּילִיןwe saveאוֹתָן.themגִּלָּיוֹןThe blank marginsשֶׁלofסְפָרִיםscrollsשֶׁלְּמַעְלָהthat are aboveוְשֶׁלְּמַטָּהand that are belowוְשֶׁבֵּיןand that are betweenפָּרָשָׁהparshaלְפָרָשָׁהto parshaוְשֶׁבֵּיןand that are betweenדַּףcolumnלְדַףto columnוְשֶׁבִּתְחִלַּתand that are at the beginning ofהַסֵּפֶרthe scrollוְשֶׁבְּסוֹףand that are at the end ofהַסֵּפֶרthe scrollאֵיןwe do notמַצִּילִיןsaveאוֹתָן.themהַבְּרָכוֹתBlessingsוְהַקְּמֵעִיןand amuletsאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיֵּשׁthere areבָּהֶןin themאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersשֶׁלofשֵׁםthe Nameוּמֵעִנְיָנוֹתand mattersהַרְבֵּהmanyשֶׁלofתּוֹרָהTorahאֵיןwe do notמַצִּילִיןsaveאוֹתָןthemמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeהַדְּלֵקָה:the fire
This halacha details which sacred texts, scripts, and margins may or may not be saved from a fire on Shabbos.
הל׳ כח
הַצָּלַת סִפְרֵי קֹדֶשׁ וְתִיקֵיהֶם מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 28 · Saving Holy Scrolls and Their Cases from Fire on Shabbos
סֵפֶרA scroll ofתּוֹרָהTorahשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itלְלַקֵּטto gatherשְׁמוֹנִיםeightyוְחָמֵשׁand fiveאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersמִתּוֹךְfrom withinתֵּבוֹתwordsשְׁלֵמוֹתcompleteוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבִּכְלָלָןincludingבראשיתBereishisלאnoמז47"יְגַרYegarשָׂהֲדוּתָא".Sahadusaוְכֵןand soאִםifהָיְתָהthere wasבָּהּin itפָּרָשָׁהa passageשֶׁאֵיןthat does notבָּהּhave in itשְׁמוֹנִיםeightyוְחָמֵשׁand fiveאוֹתִיּוֹתlettersוְיֵשׁbut there areבָּהּin itהַזְכָּרוֹתDivine Namesכְּגוֹןsuch asבמדברBamidbarי10לה35"וַיְהִיAnd it wasבִּנְסֹעַwhen the Arkהָאָרֹן".traveledמַצִּילִיןwe saveאוֹתָןthemמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeהַדְּלֵקָה.the fireוּמַצִּילִיןand we saveתִּיקthe case ofהַסֵּפֶרthe scrollעִםwithהַסֵּפֶרthe scrollוְתִיקand the case ofתְּפִלִּיןtefillinעִםwithהַתְּפִלִּיןthe tefillinאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיֵּשׁthere isבְּתוֹכָןinside themמָעוֹת:money
This halacha defines the minimum textual requirements for saving a worn Torah scroll from a fire on Shabbos, and permits saving its case even if it contains money.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by explaining that making a functional hole for inlet and outlet is a Torah violation of Makeh B'patish, leading to a Rabbinic decree against opening or widening any hole in a cask, except under specific conditions such as opening an existing plugged hole above the dregs. It is permitted to break a barrel or slash its top to access food like dried figs or wine for guests, provided there is no intent to fashion a utensil. Conversely, closing a hole in a barrel with wood or stone is forbidden, though one may stop it up by storing food there. Finally, the Rambam rules that completing any object's fashioning violates Makeh B'patish, which forms the basis for the Rabbinic decree forbidding the sounding of musical tones, rhythmic tapping, snapping, or ringing bells, lest one come to repair a musical instrument.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah teaches us that Shabbos is not merely a day of rest, but a day of complete, holy cessation from creation. In this chapter, we learn about the prohibition of Makeh B'Patish, the final hammer blow that completes a vessel, and the Rabbinic fences built around it. When we refrain from making a new hole in a barrel, from fixing a musical instrument, or even from washing dishes that we do not need for another meal on Shabbos, we are practicing a profound form of self-discipline. We are declaring that on this day, the world is already complete. We do not need to fix, adjust, or improve our physical surroundings.
This halachah contains a beautiful lesson for our inner avodah. So often in life, we are driven by a restless urge to constantly fix, tweak, and control everything around us. We want to make that final adjustment to our circumstances, to force a situation to go our way, or to constantly manipulate our environment. Shabbos comes and tells us: stop. Let go of the hammer. Hashem is the One Who completes the vessel, not you. True peace of mind, or menuchas hanefesh, comes when we can step back and trust that Hashem's world is running perfectly without our constant intervention.
This Shabbos, when you feel the urge to fuss over a minor physical detail, to organize something for after Shabbos, or to try to control a situation that is out of your hands, consciously stop yourself. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that the world is complete, and leave the final hammer blow to Hashem.