What is Talmud Tweets?

What is Talmud Tweets? A short, personal take on a page of Talmud - every day!

For several years now, I have been following the tradition of "Daf Yomi" - reading a set page of Talmud daily. With the start of a new 7 1/2 year cycle, I thought I would share a taste of what the Talmud offers, with a bit of personal commentary included. The idea is not to give a scholarly explanation. Rather, it is for those new to Talmud to give a little taste - a tweet, as it were - of the richness of this text and dialogue it contains. The Talmud is a window into a style of thinking as well as the world as it changed over the centuries of its compilation.

These are not literal "tweets" - I don't limit myself to 140 characters. Rather, these are intended to be short, quick takes - focusing in on one part of a much richer discussion. Hopefully, I will pique your interest. As Hillel says: "Go and study it!" (Shabbat 31a)

Monday, January 28, 2013

Shabbat 117 – Saving Shabbat

We’ve discussed saving sacred writings, now on to more practical things.

The Mishnah states that if a fire breaks out on Shabbat, one is permitted to save enough food for three meals – that is, three human meals and meals for the animals.

That is conditional, however, on the time of day. This is – how many meals are left before the end of Shabbat. For example, if it is Shabbat evening before the meal – three meals worth of food may be saved. In the morning, two and the afternoon only one. (R. Jose disagrees and allows three meals at all times).

The rabbis discuss this and wonder why there are even any restrictions. After all, food can be carried on the Shabbat and if it is brought out into a permitted area (an eruv) why limit? It is a preventative measure:

Said Raba: Since a man is excited over his property, if you permit him [to save more], he may come to extinguish [the fire].

Similarly:
Our Rabbis taught: If one forgets a loaf in an oven, and the day becomes holy upon him, food for three meals may be saved, and he may say to others, 'Come and save for yourselves.'

That is – 3 meals for himself and 3 meals for anyone else who wants to take.

And when he removes [the bread], he must not remove it with a baker’s shovel (mardeh) but with a knife.

As much as is possible to vary (it) we do so.

We make Shabbat special – even in rescue!

No comments:

Post a Comment