Electricity on Shabbat - Handout

Concepts
Melacha Machshevet

Torah Law vs Rabbinic Law (D’oraita vs D’rabbanan)

Shabbat vs Yom Tov

Beitzah 36b
Mishnah. Every act that is culpable on a sabbath as a shevut, or an optional act
reshut, or a commandment, is also culpable on a festival. The following acts are
culpable as a shevut: one may not climb a tree, nor ride a beast, nor swim in water,
nor clap the hands, nor slap the thighs, nor dance. The following are culpable as
optional secular acts: one may not judge, nor betroth a wife, nor perform halitzah,
nor perform yibbum. The following are culpable as religious acts: one may not
dedicate anything to the templ], nor vow a personal valuation, nor make a vow of
herem, nor set aside terumah or tithes. All these things they proscribed on a festival,
how much more (kal v’homer) on the sabbath. The festival differs from the Sabbath
only in respect of the preparation of food alone.

Grama

Shabbat - Mishnah 16:5

R. Simeon b. Nanas said: one may spread a goat skin over a box, chest, or trunk
which has caught fire, because he singes; and one may make a barrier with all
vessels, whether full [of water] or empty, that the fire should not travel onward. R.
Yose forbids in the case of new earthen vessels filled with water, because since they
cannot stand the heat, they will burst and extinguish the fire.

Permanence

Shabbat - Mishnah 12:1

If one performs a melacha and that melacha endures on the Shabbat, he is liable.

Destruction

Shabbat - Mishnah 12:1

If one tears something in a rage, or over his dead, or if one destroys something, he
is exempt.

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 Mishneh Torah – Shabbat, 10:15
A person who demolishes even the slightest amount is liable, provided he
demolishes with the intent to build. If his intent in demolishing is merely destructive,
he is not liable.

Muktzeh/Nolad/Molid

Beitzah 2a
Mishnah
If an egg is laid on a festival-day, Beth Shammai say: it may be eaten on the same
day, but Beth Hillel maintain: it may not be eaten until the day is over.

Gemara
What are we discussing? If one should say about a hen kept for food, what is the
reason of Beth Hillel, seeing that it is food which has been separated; and if about a
hen kept for laying eggs, what is the reason of Beth Shammai, seeing that it is
muktzeh? — But what objection is this? Perhaps Beth Shammai do not accept the
prohibition of Muktzeh? We are of the opinion that even he who permits muktzeh
forbids nolad…

Shinui

Melachot
Lighting a Fire – Mavir

Rashi (Mishnah 73a)

The case of Mavir in the Mishkan was igniting the flame under the cauldron where
the dies were prepared.

Tosafot (Shabbos 94a “Reb Shimon”)

The case of Mavir in the Mishkan was associated with the work done by the
blacksmiths (assumedly in preparing the elaborate sockets and other metal work).

Mishneh Torah, Sabbath 12:1

A person who kindles even the smallest fire is liable, provided he needs the ash that
it creates. However, should a person kindle a fire with a destructive intent, he is not
liable, for he is causing ruin.
Nevertheless, a person who sets fire to a heap of produce or a dwelling belonging to
a colleague is liable, because his intent is to take revenge on his enemies. Through
this act, he calms his feelings and vents his rage. He is comparable to a person who

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 rends his garments over a deceased person or in rage on the Sabbath, or a person
who injures a colleague in an argument. These individuals are all considered to be
performing a constructive activity, because of their evil inclinations.  Similarly, a
person who lights a candle or wood, whether to generate warmth or light, is liable.  A
person who heats iron in order to strengthen it by submerging it in water is liable for
performing a derivative of the forbidden labor of kindling.

Extinguishing a Fire – M’chabeh

Shabbat 47b
Mishnah.
A vessel, may be placed under a lamp to catch the sparks, but one must not pour
water therein, because he extinguishes them.
Gemara.
But he deprives the vessel of its readiness? — said R. Huna the son of R. Joshua:
sparks are intangible.

Cooking – Bishul

Mishneh Torah, Sabbath 9:6

A person who melts even the slightest amount of metal or who heats a piece of
metal until it glows like a coal performs a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of
cooking. Similarly, a person who melts wax, tallow, tar, brown tar, or pitch, and the
like performs a derivative [of the forbidden labor] of cooking and is liable.
Similarly, a person who heats an earthenware utensil until it becomes hard clay is
liable for cooking. The general principle is: Whether one softens a firm entity with fire
or hardens a soft entity, one is liable for cooking.

Building – Boneh

Shabbat - Mishnah 12:1

If one builds, how much must he build to be liable? If one builds the smallest
quantity, he is liable. If one chops stone, or strikes with a hammer, or uses an adze,
or bores a hole - if any of these are done in the smallest quantity, he is liable. This is
the principle: If one performs a melacha and that melacha endures on the Shabbat,
he is liable. Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel says: One is likewise liable if he strikes a
hammer on an anvil because it is like he improves the tool.

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The Final Hammer Blow – Makeh B’Patish

Mishneh Torah, Shabbat 10:16

A person who gives the final blow with a hammer is liable. Similarly, a person who
performs any activity that represents the completion of a task is liable for performing
a derivative of dealing [the final] hammer blow. What is implied? A person who blows
a glass vessel, one makes a design, or even a portion of a design, on a utensil, one
who planes the edges of a utensil, one who makes a hole of even the smallest size
in a piece of wood, a building, a piece of metal, or a utensil is liable for performing a
derivative of dealing the final hammer blow. One is not liable for making a hole
unless it can be used to bring in and bring out.

Creating Something New – Molid

Beitzah 34a
One may not produce fire either from wood, or from stones, or from earth, or from
tiles, or from water; nor may one make tiles red-hot in order to roast on them.
What is the reason? Because he is creating something new on a Festival.

Incandescent Lights on Shabbat

Incandescence: the emission of light caused by heating the filament.

Mavir

M’chabeh

Bishul

Boneh

Makeh B’Patish

Molid