Shabbos 18a

שבת י״ח ע״א

Shabbat 18a

Learn Shabbos 18a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

End of the משנה on starting work before שבת, the ink-soaking (לש) question, and the debate over why a water mill may not run on שבת, including שביתת כלים

Overview

This amud opens with the last lines of the משנה. בית הלל allow starting these processes on Friday 'while the sun is still shining.' רבן שמעון בן גמליאל adds that his family was stricter: they gave white clothes to a non-Jewish launderer three days before שבת. Both בית שמאי and בית הלל agree that one may load the olive press and wine press before שבת. The גמרא first asks which תנא holds that just adding water to ink counts as kneading (לש). רב יוסף says it is רבי, but אביי suggests it could fit רבי יוסי too, and the proof from ashes is pushed aside. Next, a ברייתא lists processes that may keep going on שבת, except a water mill. רבה says the mill is forbidden because of its noise, and רב יוסף says it is because of שביתת כלים. The גמרא then explains that only a utensil that actively works is a problem. Finally, רב אושעיא teaches that only בית שמאי hold שביתת כלים, which sets up a challenge that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. StatementEnd of בית הלל's ruling ('while the sun is still shining') and רבן שמעון בן גמליאל's family custom
2. StatementBoth schools agree about loading the olive press and wine press
3. QuestionWho holds that adding water to ink counts as soaking it
4. Responseרב יוסף says it is רבי, proven from the flour-and-water case
5. Rejectionאביי: maybe רבי יוסי agrees in the case of ink
6. ProofProof from the ashes case: real kneading is required even for something that cannot be kneaded
7. RejectionMaybe 'ashes' really means soil, which can be kneaded
8. ProofBoth versions exist: one says ashes, another says soil
9. RejectionThe two versions were not taught side by side
10. StatementProcesses started before שבת may continue on שבת, except a water mill
11. QuestionWhy is the water mill different?
12. Responseרבה: the mill makes noise
13. Challengeרב יוסף: why not say it is because utensils must rest?
14. Responseרב יוסף's own reason: utensils must rest
15. ChallengeThen why are sulfur and incense allowed?
16. ResolutionThe utensil is not doing any action
17. QuestionWhy are bundles of flax in the oven allowed?
18. ResponseThe oven just sits still
19. ChallengeBut traps do perform an action
20. ResolutionThe permitted traps are hooks and nets that do not move
21. Statementרב אושעיא: only בית שמאי hold utensils must rest
22. ChallengeSetting up a challenge to בית שמאי's view