Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
This chapter introduces the Rabbinic prohibitions derived from the words of the prophet Isaiah, which require a person to honor the Shabbos by refraining from mundane pursuits, ordinary weekday travel, and weekday speech. These laws, known as Shvus, restrict activities that do not necessarily resemble forbidden melacha but are prohibited to preserve the sanctity and rest of the holy day.
Specifically, the chapter outlines the restrictions against discussing business transactions, inspecting fields to assess their needs, and walking to the edge of the Shabbos boundary to wait for nightfall to perform a weekday task. It also addresses physical conduct on Shabbos, such as the prohibition against running, jumping, or engaging in excessive idle chatter.
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 הֲלִיכָה וְדִבּוּר בְּחֶפְצֵי חֹל בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Pursuing and Discussing Mundane Affairs on Shabbos
יֵשׁThere areדְּבָרִיםthingsשֶׁהֵןthat they areאֲסוּרִיןforbiddenבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינָםthat they do notדּוֹמִיןresembleלִמְלָאכָהmelachaוְאֵינָםand they do notמְבִיאִיןleadלִידֵיtoמְלָאכָה.melachaוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatנֶאֶסְרוּwere they forbiddenמִשּׁוּםbecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidישעיהYeshayahuנח58יג13"אִםIfתָּשִׁיבyou restrainמִשַּׁבָּתfrom Shabbosרַגְלֶךָyour footעֲשׂוֹתfrom pursuingחֲפָצֶיךָyour desiresבְּיוֹםon day ofקָדְשִׁי"My holy dayוְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidישעיהYeshayahuנח58יג13"וְכִבַּדְתּוֹand you shall honor itמֵעֲשׂוֹתfrom followingדְּרָכֶיךָyour waysמִמְּצוֹאfrom findingחֶפְצְךָyour desireוְדַבֵּרand speakingדָּבָר".a wordלְפִיכָךְThereforeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְאָדָםfor a personלְהַלֵּךְto walkבַּחֲפָצָיוfor his desiresבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלְדַבֵּרto speakבָּהֶןabout themכְּגוֹןsuch asשֶׁיְּדַבֵּרthat he speaksעִםwithשֻׁתָּפוֹhis partnerמַהwhatיִּמְכֹּרhe will sellלְמָחָרtomorrowאוֹorמַהwhatיִּקְנֶהhe will buyאוֹorהֵיאַךְhowיִבְנֶהhe will buildבַּיִתhouseזֶהthisוּבְאֵיand with whichזֶהthisסְחוֹרָהmerchandiseיֵלֵךְhe will goלְמָקוֹםto placeפְּלוֹנִי.certainכָּלall ofזֶהthisוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itאָסוּרis forbiddenשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְדַבֵּרand speakingדָּבָרa wordדִּבּוּרspeechאָסוּרis forbiddenהִרְהוּרthinkingמֻתָּר:is permitted
This halacha establishes that while thinking about mundane business is permitted on Shabbos, actively speaking about or traveling for weekday affairs is strictly forbidden.
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אִסּוּר הִלּוּךְ בְּשַׁבָּת לְצֹרֶךְ חֲפָצָיו בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · Prohibition of Walking on Shabbos to Prepare for Weekday Activities
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלְאָדָםfor a personלִפְקֹדto inspectגִּנּוֹתָיוhis gardensוּשְׂדוֹתָיוand his fieldsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּדֵיin orderלִרְאוֹתto seeמַהwhatהֵןtheyצְרִיכִיןneedאוֹorהֵיאַךְhowהֵןareפֵּרוֹתֵיהֶן.their fruitsשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdזֶהthisמְהַלֵּךְis walkingלַעֲשׂוֹתto doחֶפְצוֹ.his desireוְכֵןAnd likewiseאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְאָדָםfor a personשֶׁיֵּצֵאthat he go outבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosעַדuntilסוֹףthe end ofהַתְּחוּםthe boundaryוְיֵשֵׁבand sitשָׁםthereעַדuntilשֶׁתֶּחְשַׁךְit grows darkכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat he will beקָרוֹבcloseלַעֲשׂוֹתto doחֲפָצָיוhis desiresבְּמוֹצָאֵיon the departure ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdנִמְצָאit turns outהִלּוּכוֹhis walkingבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלַעֲשׂוֹתis to doחֲפָצָיו:his desires
The Sages prohibited walking on Shabbos to inspect one's fields or waiting at the Shabbos boundary to gain a head start on Saturday night, as this violates the prohibition of pursuing weekday desires on Shabbos.
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הַמְתָּנָה עַל הַתְּחוּם בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת לְצֹרֶךְ מְלָאכָהHalacha 3 · Waiting at the Shabbos Boundary at Nightfall for Permitted and Forbidden Activities
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּשֶׁהֶחְשִׁיךְwhen he waits for nightfallעַלonהַתְּחוּםthe boundaryלַעֲשׂוֹתto doדָּבָרa matterשֶׁאָסוּרthat is forbiddenבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ.to do itאֲבָלbutאִםifהֶחְשִׁיךְhe waited for nightfallלַעֲשׂוֹתto doדָּבָרa matterשֶׁמֻּתָּרthat is permittedלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹto do itבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּר.is permittedכֵּיצַד.how soאֵיןwe do notמַחְשִׁיכִיןwait for nightfallעַלonהַתְּחוּםthe boundaryלְהָבִיאto bringפֵּרוֹתproduceמְחֻבָּרִיןattachedאוֹorלִשְׂכֹּרto hireפּוֹעֲלִין.workersאֲבָלbutמַחְשִׁיךְwaits for nightfallהוּאheלִשְׁמֹרto guardפֵּרוֹתproduceשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceמֻתָּרit is permittedלִשְׁמֹרto guardבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוּמַחְשִׁיךְand he waits for nightfallלְהָבִיאto bringבְּהֵמָהan animalאוֹorפֵּרוֹתproduceתְּלוּשִׁין.detachedשֶׁהַבְּהֵמָהfor the animalקוֹרֵאhe callsלָהּto herוְהִיאand sheבָּאָהcomesאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִיאshe isחוּץoutsideלַתְּחוּם.the boundaryוּפֵרוֹתand produceתְּלוּשִׁיןdetachedאִלּוּifהָיוּthere wereשָׁםthereמְחִצּוֹתpartitionsהָיָהit would beמֻתָּרpermittedלַהֲבִיאָןto bring themבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְכֵןand soאוֹמֵרsaysאָדָםa personלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowלִכְרַךְto the cityפְּלוֹנִיof so-and-soאֲנִיIהוֹלֵךְam goingלְמָחָרtomorrowשֶׁאִםfor ifהָיוּthere wereשָׁםthereבּוּרְגָנִיםhutsהָיָהhe wouldהוֹלֵךְgoלְשָׁםthereבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha defines when one is permitted to wait at the techum boundary at nightfall, distinguishing between preparations for forbidden versus permitted Shabbos activities.
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דִּבּוּר וְהִלּוּךְ הַמֻּתָּר וְהָאָסוּר בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 4 · Permitted and Forbidden Speech and Walking on Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלְאָדָםfor a personלוֹמַרto sayלְפוֹעֵלto a workerהַנִּרְאֶהwho is seenשֶׁתַּעֲמֹדthat you shall standעִמִּיwith meלָעֶרֶב.for the eveningאֲבָלbutלֹאnotיֹאמַרshall he sayלוֹto himהֱיֵהbeנָכוֹןpreparedלִיfor meלָעֶרֶבfor the eveningשֶׁנִּמְצָאsince he is foundעוֹשֶׂהdoingחֶפְצוֹhis desireבְּשַׁבָּת.on ShabbosוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלָרוּץto runוּלְדַלֵּגand to leapבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuנח58יג13"מֵעֲשׂוֹתfrom doingדְּרָכֶיךָ"your waysשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאshall beהִלּוּכְךָyour walkingשֶׁלofשַׁבָּתShabbosכְּהִלּוּכְךָlike your walkingשֶׁלofחֹל.weekdayוְיוֹרֵדAnd descendsאָדָםa personלְבוֹרinto a pitוְשִׁיחַand a ditchוּמְעָרָהand a caveאֲפִלּוּeven ifהֵןthey areמֵאָהone hundredאַמָּהcubitsוּמְטַפֵּסand climbs downוְיוֹרֵדand descendsוְשׁוֹתֶהand drinksוּמְטַפֵּסand climbs upוְעוֹלֶה.and ascendsוְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלְהַרְבּוֹתto increaseבְּשִׂיחָהin conversationבְּטֵלָהidleשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuנח58יג13"וְדַבֵּרand speakingדָּבָר"a wordשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאshall beדִּבּוּרְךָyour speakingשֶׁלofשַׁבָּתShabbosכְּדִבּוּרְךָlike your speakingשֶׁלofחל:weekday
This halacha details the restrictions on weekday-like speech, running, and idle chatter on Shabbos, derived from the words of the prophet Yeshayahu.
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מֻתָּר לַעֲשׂוֹת צָרְכֵי מִצְוָה וְצָרְכֵי רַבִּים בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · Permitted Activities on Shabbos for the Sake of a Mitzvah and Public Needs
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלָרוּץto runבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלִדְבַרfor a matter ofמִצְוָהa mitzvahכְּגוֹןsuch asשֶׁיָּרוּץthat he runsלְבֵיתto the house ofהַכְּנֶסֶתthe assemblyאוֹorלְבֵיתto the house ofהַמִּדְרָשׁ.the studyוּמְחַשְּׁבִיןand we calculateחֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹתaccountsשֶׁלofמִצְוָהa mitzvahוּמוֹדְדִיןand we measureמְדִידָהa measurementשֶׁלofמִצְוָהa mitzvahכְּגוֹןsuch asמִקְוֶהa mikvehלֵידַעto knowאִםifיֵשׁthere isכַּשִּׁעוּרlike the required measureאוֹorבֶּגֶדa garmentלֵידַעto knowאִםifמְקַבֵּלit receivesטֻמְאָה.impurityוּפוֹסְקִיןand we pledgeצְדָקָהcharityלָעֲנִיִּים.for the poorוְהוֹלְכִיןand we goלְבָתֵּיto houses ofכְּנֵסִיּוֹתassembliesוּלְבָתֵּיand to houses ofמִדְרָשׁוֹתstudiesוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלְטַרְטֵיאוֹתto theatersוּטְרַקְלִיןand hallsשֶׁלofכּוּתִיםnon-Jewsלְפַקֵּחַto superviseעַלoverעִסְקֵיaffairs ofרַבִּיםthe publicבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוּמְשַׁדְּכִיןand we arrange matchesעַלforהַתִּינוֹקֶתthe young girlלֵיאָרֵסto be betrothedוְעַלand forהַתִּינוֹקthe young boyלְלַמְּדוֹto teach himסֵפֶרbookוּלְלַמְּדוֹand to teach himאֻמָּנוּת.a tradeוּמְבַקְּרִיןand we visitחוֹלִיןthe sickוּמְנַחֲמִיםand we comfortאֲבֵלִים.mournersוְהַנִּכְנָסand he who entersלְבַקֵּרto visitאֶת—הַחוֹלֶהthe sick personאוֹמֵרsaysשַׁבָּתShabbosהִיאitמִלִּזְעֹקis from crying outוּרְפוּאָהand healingקְרוֹבָהis nearלָבוֹא.to comeוּמַחְשִׁיכִיןand we wait until darkעַלatהַתְּחוּםthe Shabbos boundaryלְפַקֵּחַto superviseעַלoverעִסְקֵיaffairs ofכַּלָּהa brideוְעַלand overעִסְקֵיaffairs ofהַמֵּתthe deceasedלְהָבִיאto bringלוֹfor himאָרוֹןa coffinוְתַכְרִיכִין.and shroudsוְאוֹמֵרand he saysלוֹto himלֵךְgoלְמָקוֹםto placeפְּלוֹנִיsuch-and-suchלֹאnotמָצָאתָdid you findשָׁםthereהָבֵאbringמִמָּקוֹםfrom placeפְּלוֹנִיsuch-and-suchלֹאnotמָצָאתָdid you findבְּמָנֶהfor a manehהָבֵאbringבְּמָאתַיִם.for two hundredוּבִלְבַדand onlyשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִזְכֹּרhe mentionsלוֹto himסְכוּםa sum ofמִקָּח.purchaseשֶׁכָּלfor allאֵלּוּtheseוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themמִצְוָהa mitzvahהֵןtheyוְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidישעיהYeshayahuנח58יג13"עֲשׂוֹתdoingחֲפָצֶיךָ"your desiresוְכוּ'etc.חֲפָצֶךָyour desiresאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenחֶפְצֵיdesires ofשָׁמַיִםHeavenמֻתָּרִין:are permitted
This halacha outlines the various activities, such as running, measuring, and planning, that are permitted on Shabbos because they serve a mitzvah or public need.
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הַפְלָגָה בַּיָּם וְהַתָּרַת נְדָרִים בְּשַׁבָּת לְצֹרֶךְ מִצְוָהHalacha 6 · Setting Sail and Nullifying Vows on Shabbos for the Sake of a Mitzvah
מַפְלִיגִיןWe may set sailבַּיָּםon the seaהַגָּדוֹלthe greatבְּעֶרֶבon the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosלִדְבַרfor a matter ofמִצְוָהa mitzvahוּפוֹסֵקand he stipulatesעִמּוֹwith himלִשְׁבֹּתto restוְאֵינוֹand he does notשׁוֹבֵת.restוּמְפִירִיןand we may nullifyנְדָרִיםvowsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבֵּיןwhetherלְצֹרֶךְfor the need ofשַׁבָּתShabbosבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלֹּאnotלְצֹרֶךְfor the need ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוְנִשְׁאָלִיןand we may askלְחָכָםa wise manעַלconcerningהַנְּדָרִיםthe vowsשֶׁהֵןthat they areלְצֹרֶךְfor the need ofהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosוּמַתִּירִיןand we may release themאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהָיָהthere wasלָהֶןfor themפְּנַאיtimeלְהַתִּירָןto release themקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosשֶׁדְּבָרִיםbecause mattersאֵלּוּtheseמִצְוָהa mitzvahהֵן:they are
This halacha outlines the permissibility of embarking on a sea voyage on Friday and resolving vows on Shabbos when done for the sake of a mitzvah.
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אִסּוּר עֲנִישַׁת בֵּית דִּין בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 7 · The Prohibition Against Administering Court Punishments on Shabbos
אֵיןWe do notעוֹנְשִׁיןpunishבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהָעֹנֶשׁthat the punishmentמִצְוַתis a commandment ofעֲשֵׂהto doאֵינָהּit does notדּוֹחָהsupersedeשַׁבָּת.Shabbosכֵּיצַד.How soהֲרֵיBeholdשֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּבone who became obligatedבְּבֵיתin a house ofדִּיןlawמַלְקוֹתlashesאוֹorמִיתָהdeathאֵיןwe do notמַלְקִיןlashאוֹתוֹhimוְאֵיןand we do notמְמִיתִיןexecuteאוֹתוֹhimבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosלה35ג3"לֹא"Do notתְבַעֲרוּkindleאֵשׁfireבְּכלin all ofמשְׁבֹתֵיכֶםyour dwellingsבְּיוֹםon the day ofהַשַּׁבָּת"the Shabbos"זוֹthisאַזְהָרָהis a warningלְבֵיתto the house ofדִּיןlawשֶׁלֹּאthat they should notיִשְׂרְפוּburnבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִיoneשֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּבwho became obligatedשְׂרֵפָהburningוְהוּאand itהַדִּיןis the lawלִשְׁאָרfor otherעֳנָשִׁין:punishments
This halacha establishes that court-ordered punishments, such as lashes or executions, may not be carried out on Shabbos, derived from the prohibition of kindling fire.
הל׳ ח
הַתָּרַת שְׁמִירַת מָמוֹן וּפֵרוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · Permissibility of Guarding One's Existing Property and Produce on Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלְאָדָםfor a personלִשְׁמֹרto guardפֵּרוֹתָיוhis fruitsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבֵּיןwhetherתְּלוּשִׁיםdetachedבֵּיןwhetherמְחֻבָּרִין.attachedוְאִםand ifבָּאcomesאָדָםa personלִטּלto takeמֵהֶןfrom themאוֹorבְּהֵמָהa domestic animalוְחַיָּהand a wild animalלֶאֱכלto eatמֵהֶןfrom themגּוֹעֵרhe shoutsבָּהֶןat themוּמַכֶּהand strikesבָּהֶםthemוּמַרְחִיקָן.and distances themוַהֲלֹאand is notדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisמֵחֲפָצָיוfrom his affairsהוּאitוְלָמָּהand whyהוּאitמֻתָּר.is permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notנֶאֱסַרwas forbiddenאֶלָּאexceptלְהַקְנוֹתto acquireלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfחֲפָצִיםobjectsשֶׁאֵינָןthat are notעַתָּהnowמְצוּיִיםpresentאוֹorלְהִשְׂתַּכֵּרto earn a wageוּלְהַרְוִיחַand to profitוּלְהִטָּפֵלand to busy oneselfבַּהֲנָאָהwith benefitשֶׁתָּבוֹאthat will comeלְיָדוֹ.to his handאֲבָלbutלִשְׁמֹרto guardמָמוֹנוֹhis moneyשֶׁכְּבָרthat alreadyבָּאcameלְיָדוֹto his handעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדthat it standsכְּמוֹתasשֶׁהוּאit isמֻתָּר.is permittedהָאthisלְמָהto whatזֶהthisדּוֹמֶהis comparableלְנוֹעֵלto one who locksבֵּיתוֹhis houseמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַגַּנָּבִים:the thieves
This halacha explains that while pursuing new business or profits is forbidden on Shabbos, guarding existing property from loss or theft is fully permitted.
הל׳ ט
אִסּוּר סִפּוּק וְרִקּוּד לְשׁוֹמֵר שָׂדֶה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 9 · Prohibition of Clapping and Dancing for a Field Guard on Shabbos
הַמְשַׁמֵּרOne who guardsזְרָעָיוhis seedsמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeהָעוֹפוֹתthe birdsוּמִקְשָׁאָיוand his cucumber fieldsוּמִדְלָעָיוand his squash fieldsמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeהַחַיָּהthe wild animalלֹאnotיְסַפֵּקshall clapוְלֹאand notיְרַקֵּדshall danceכְּדֶרֶךְlike the wayשֶׁעוֹשֶׂהthat he doesבְּחֹלon a weekdayגְּזֵרָהa decreeשֶׁמָּאlestיִטּלhe will takeצְרוֹרa pebbleוְיִזְרֹקand throwאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּים:the many
The Sages prohibited clapping and dancing while guarding crops on Shabbos to prevent one from throwing a pebble in the public domain.
הל׳ י
הֶתֵּר שְׁבוּת בְּבֵין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת לְצֹרֶךְ מִצְוָה אוֹ דֹּחַקHalacha 10 · Leniency of Rabbinic Sh'vut Prohibitions During Twilight for a Mitzvah or Urgent Need
כָּלAllהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsשֶׁהֵןthat areאֲסוּרִיןforbiddenמִשּׁוּםbecause ofשְׁבוּתsh'vutלֹאnotגָּזְרוּdid they decreeעֲלֵיהֶןagainst themבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsאֶלָּאexceptבְּעַצְמוֹon the actualשֶׁלofיוֹםdayהוּאit isשֶׁהֵןthat they areאֲסוּרִיןforbiddenאֲבָלbutבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsמֻתָּרִין.they are permittedוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there isשָׁםthereדְּבַרa matter ofמִצְוָהmitzvahאוֹorדֹּחַק.urgencyכֵּיצַד.How soמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsלַעֲלוֹתto climbבָּאִילָןon a treeאוֹorלָשׁוּטto swimעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמַּיִםthe waterלְהָבִיאto bringלוּלָבa lulavאוֹorשׁוֹפָר.a shofarוְכֵןand likewiseמוֹרִידone may bring downמִןfromהָאִילָןthe treeאוֹorמוֹצִיאbring outמִןfromהַכַּרְמְלִיתthe carmelitעֵרוּבan eruvשֶׁעָשָׂה.that he madeוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifהָיָהhe wasטָרוּדanxiousוְנֶחְפָּזand rushedוְנִצְרָךְand in needלְדָבָרfor a matterשֶׁהוּאthat isמִשּׁוּםbecause ofשְׁבוּתsh'vutבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּר.is permittedאֲבָלbutאִםifלֹאnotהָיָהthere wasשָׁםthereדֹּחַקurgencyוְלֹאand notדְּבַרa matter ofמִצְוָהmitzvahאָסוּר.it is forbiddenלְפִיכָךְThereforeאֵיןwe do notמְעַשְּׂרִיןtitheאֶת—הַוַּדַּאיdefinite untithed produceבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתthe sunsאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאִסּוּרthe prohibition ofהַפְרָשַׁתseparatingהַמַּעֲשֵׂרthe titheבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִשּׁוּםis because ofשְׁבוּת.sh'vutאֲבָלbutמְעַשְּׂרִיםwe may titheאֶת—הַדְּמַאי:doubtfully untithed produce
This halacha explains that Rabbinic prohibitions (sh'vut) are permitted during the twilight period (beyn hash'mashot) if there is a mitzvah or an urgent need involved.
הל׳ יא
מְנִיעַת קָטָן מֵאִסּוּרֵי שְׁבוּת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 11 · Restraining a Minor from Rabbinic Shabbos Violations
קָטָןA minorשֶׁעָשָׂהwho performedבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosדָּבָרan actionשֶׁהוּאthat isמִשּׁוּםbecause ofשְׁבוּתshevutכְּגוֹןsuch asשֶׁתָּלַשׁwho pluckedמֵעָצִיץfrom a flowerpotשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notנָקוּבperforatedאוֹorטִלְטֵלcarriedבְּכַרְמְלִיתin a carmelitאֵיןnotבֵּיתthe courtדִּין·מְצֻוִּיןare commandedלְהַפְרִישׁוֹ.to separate himוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifהִנִּיחוֹallowed himאָבִיוhis fatherאֵיןwe do notמְמַחִיןprotestבְּיָדוֹ:against him
This halacha discusses whether the court or the father must prevent a minor from violating Rabbinic prohibitions on Shabbos.
הל׳ יב
טַעַם אִסּוּר טִלְטוּל מוּקְצֶה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 12 · The Reason for the Rabbinic Prohibition of Carrying Muktzeh on Shabbos
אָסְרוּforbadeחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesלְטַלְטֵלto carryמִקְצָתsomeדְּבָרִיםobjectsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּדֶרֶךְlike the mannerשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹשֶׂהdoesבְּחֹל.on a weekdayוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatנָגְעוּdid they touchבְּאִסּוּרupon prohibitionזֶה.thisאָמְרוּthey saidוּמָהand whatאִםifהִזְהִירוּwarnedנְבִיאִיםprophetsוְצִוּוּand commandedשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִהְיֶהshall beהִלּוּכְךָyour walkingבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּהִלּוּכְךָlike your walkingבְּחֹלon a weekdayוְלֹאand notשִׂיחַתthe conversation ofהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכְּשִׂיחַתlike the conversation ofהחֹלthe weekdayשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuנח58יג13"וְדַבֵּרand speakingדָּבָר"a wordקַלlightוָחֹמֶרand heavyשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִהְיֶהshall beטִלְטוּלcarryingבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosכְּטִלְטוּלlike carryingבְּחֹלon a weekdayכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִהְיֶהit shall beכְּיוֹםlike a day ofחֹלweekdayבְּעֵינָיוin his eyesוְיָבוֹאand he will comeלְהַגְבִּיהַּto liftוּלְתַקֵּןand to arrangeכֵּלִיםvesselsמִפִּנָּהfrom cornerלְפִנָּהto cornerאוֹorמִבַּיִתfrom houseלְבַיִתto houseאוֹorלְהַצְנִיעַto set asideאֲבָנִיםstonesוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןwith themשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהוּאheבָּטֵלis idleוְיוֹשֵׁבand sittingבְּבֵיתוֹin his houseוִיבַקֵּשׁand he will seekדָּבָרa thingשֶׁיִּתְעַסֵּקthat he may occupy himselfבּוֹwith itוְנִמְצָאand it is foundשֶׁלֹּאthat notשָׁבַתhe restedוּבִטֵּלand he nullifiedהַטַּעַםthe reasonשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidבְּתוֹרָהin the TorahשמותShemosכב22יב12דבריםDevarimה5יג13"לְמַעַןin order thatיָנוּחַ":he shall rest
The Rambam explains the underlying reason why the Sages prohibited carrying certain objects on Shabbos, deriving it from the prophetic exhortation to keep Shabbos distinct from weekdays.
הל׳ יג
טַעַם אִסּוּר טִלְטוּל מוּקְצֶה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · The Reasons for the Rabbinic Prohibition of Carrying Muktzeh on Shabbos
וְעוֹדAnd furthermoreכְּשֶׁיְּבַקֵּרwhen he searchesוִיטַלְטֵלand carriesכֵּלִיםvesselsשֶׁמְּלַאכְתָּןwhose workלְאִסּוּרis for prohibitionאֶפְשָׁרit is possibleשֶׁיִּתְעַסֵּקthat he will occupy himselfבָּהֶןwith themמְעַטa littleוְיָבֹאand comeלִידֵיtoמְלָאכָה.melachaוְעוֹדAnd furthermoreמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁמִּקְצָתsome ofהָעָםthe peopleאֵינָםare notבַּעֲלֵיmasters ofאֻמָּנֻיּוֹתcraftsאֶלָּאbutבְּטֵלִיןidleכָּלallיְמֵיהֶןtheir daysכְּגוֹןsuch asהַטַּיָּלִיןthe touristsוְיוֹשְׁבֵיand those who sit onקְרָנוֹתcornersשֶׁכָּלfor allיְמֵיהֶןtheir daysהֵןtheyשׁוֹבְתִיםrestמִמְּלָאכָהfrom melachaוְאִםand ifיִהְיֶהit will beמֻתָּרpermittedלְהַלֵּךְto walkוּלְדַבֵּרand to speakוּלְטַלְטֵלand to carryכִּשְׁאָרlike the rest ofהַיָּמִיםthe daysנִמְצָאit turns outשֶׁלֹּאthat he did notשָׁבַתrestשְׁבִיתָהa restingהַנִּכֶּרֶת.that is recognizableלְפִיכָךְThereforeשְׁבִיתָהrestingמִדְּבָרִיםfrom mattersאֵלּוּtheseהִיאisשְׁבִיתָהa restingהַשָּׁוָהequalבְּכָלfor everyאָדָם.manוּמִפְּנֵיAnd because ofדְּבָרִיםmattersאֵלּוּtheseנָגְעוּthey touched uponבְּאִסּוּרthe prohibition ofהַטִּלְטוּל.carryingוְאָסְרוּand they forbadeשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְטַלְטֵלshall carryאָדָםa manבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֶלָּאexceptכֵּלִיםvesselsהַצָּרִיךְthat are neededלָהֶםfor themכְּמוֹasשֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר:will be explained
The Rambam explains the underlying reasons why the Sages prohibited carrying certain vessels on Shabbos, ensuring that even idle people experience a recognizable day of rest.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The Rambam details the parameters of these Rabbinic restrictions, distinguishing between forbidden weekday activities and permitted actions. While one may not speak of business or wait at the Shabbos boundary to perform a task that is forbidden on Shabbos, it is permitted to wait at the boundary for a task that could theoretically be done on Shabbos, such as guarding produce or bringing detached fruit. Furthermore, while running for mundane purposes or speaking of weekday plans is forbidden, running for the sake of a mitzvah is explicitly permitted, and one may ask a worker to stand nearby in the evening as long as explicit weekday labor is not discussed.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
Shabbos is not merely a day of physical rest from creative labor; it is a sanctuary of the mind and heart. The Navi Yeshayahu teaches us that we must honor the day by refraining from pursuing our own mundane affairs, which includes how we speak and even how we walk. When we spend Shabbos discussing our business plans, checking our fields, or pacing around to prepare for Saturday night's work, we drag the stress and noise of the workweek into Hashem's holy day.
True rest means letting go of the urge to constantly produce and acquire. While we are permitted to protect what we already have, Shabbos is the time to shift our focus entirely. The only running we should do is toward a mitzvah, and the only planning we should engage in is for holy purposes, like helping a bride, arranging Torah study for a child, or visiting the sick. When we speak and walk differently on Shabbos, we show that our emunah is complete, trusting that our livelihood is entirely in Hashem's hands.
Today, when Shabbos arrives, make a conscious decision to leave your weekday worries behind. When speaking with family or friends, gently steer the conversation away from business, finances, or upcoming weekday chores, and instead speak words of Torah, gratitude, or peace.