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Shabbos 150b

שבת ק״נ ע״ב

Shabbat 150b

Learn Shabbos 150b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Calculations on שבת, the משנה of אין מחשיכין, רב יהודה's rule about speaking of plans that have a permitted version, working before הבדלה, and אבא שאול's general rule

Overview

This amud finishes a ברייתא about calculations on שבת and settles a contradiction with a second ברייתא. Counting past expenses is forbidden only when wages are still owed, because then the counting has a practical use. The גמרא then turns to the משנה of אין מחשיכין. It tells the story of a חסיד who would not fix his fence because he had thought about fixing it on שבת, and a caper bush grew in the gap and supported his family. רב יהודה in the name of שמואל rules that you may speak on שבת about a trip planned for after שבת, because with בורגנין the walk itself would be permitted. The גמרא tests this rule against the משנה, a ברייתא of רבי אושעיא, and a ברייתא about a bride and a dead person. Each time it answers that the case has no permitted version on שבת: attached fruit, rotten hay, and cutting myrtle or cloth. Next the גמרא asks how one may guard his field at nightfall before הבדלה. It answers either that he stands among winepresses where wine is available, or that saying 'המבדיל בין קודש לחול' is enough to begin work. Finally, the גמרא begins to ask which clause of the משנה אבא שאול's general rule refers to, and this question continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְשֶׁל מַה בְּכָךְ —

And those of 'what does it matter' (no practical significance)

מוּתָּר לְחַשְּׁבָן.

are permitted to calculate them.

וּרְמִינְהוּ: חוֹשְׁבִין חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת שֶׁאֵינָן צְרִיכִין,

And they contradicted it: One may calculate calculations that are not needed,

וְאֵין מְחַשְּׁבִין חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת שֶׁצְּרִיכִין, בְּשַׁבָּת.

but one may not calculate calculations that are needed, on Shabbat.

The steps (24)

  1. StatementPointless calculations are allowed on שבת
  2. ChallengeA second ברייתא allows counting past expenses
  3. ChallengeThe first ברייתא already contradicts itself
  4. ResolutionIt depends on whether wages are still owed
  5. StatementA pious man refuses to fix his fence
  6. StatementA miracle rewards the pious man
  7. StatementYou may talk about a trip that could have been allowed
  8. ChallengeChallenge from the משנה about bringing fruit
  9. ResolutionThe משנה means fruit still attached to the tree
  10. ChallengeChallenge from רבי אושעיא about hay
  11. ResolutionThe hay is rotten and therefore מוקצה
  12. ChallengeNew challenge: waiting is allowed only for a bride or the dead
  13. ChallengeWhy the ברייתא allows things for a dead person but not for others
  14. ChallengePartitions should make it allowed for anyone
  15. ResolutionThe dead-person case means cutting cloth for shrouds
  16. ChallengeHow can he work before making הבדלה?
  17. Rejectionהבדלה in prayer alone is not enough
  18. RejectionThere is no cup of wine in the field
  19. ResolutionThe משנה is about a field among winepresses
  20. ResolutionIn ארץ ישראל a short blessing is enough to start working
  21. Proofרב כהנא's household did the same
  22. StatementQuoting אבא שאול's general rule from the משנה
  23. QuestionWhich clause does אבא שאול's rule refer to?
  24. ResponseTesting the first option: the clause about hiring workers