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Week 7 - Tuesday - 11 Jan. 2000

SHABBAT: CHAPTER 12: MISHNA 6

If one writes two letters in two states of unawareness, one in the morning and one in the afternoon -Rabban Gamliel declares him liable, but the Sages exempt.

Kehati

If one writes - on Shabbat, two letters in two states of unawareness - After he had written one letter unintentionally, it became known to him that he had sinned. He then again forgot and unintentionally wrote the second letter, alongside the first ("in two states of unawareness" means that twice he was unaware of the prohibition), one in the morning and one in the afternoon - Alternatively, if he wrote one letter on Shabbat morning and one letter in the afternoon, and since he had a great deal of time between the two writings to learn of his sin, it is as if he wrote in two states of unawareness; this is the interpretation of Rashi. Tosafot, however, query this interpretation, and interpret this clause as being the continuation of the preceding clause: "If one writes two letters in two states of unawareness," and even "one in the morning and one in the afternoon," i.e., there is a lengthy interruption between them,

Rabban Gamliel declares him liable - for he holds "There is no knowledge for a half measure," i.e., becoming aware between one letter and the next that he had sinned, is not considered to be "knowledge," for it was in relation to a half measure of an activity; therefore, he is considered to have written two letters in one state of unawareness, for which he is liable to bring a sin-offering, but the Sages exempt - For they hold, "There is knowledge for a half measure," i.e., what became known to him between one letter and the next is divided between them, and this is an instance of two states of unawareness; since he had done only one half the measure in each state of unawareness, he therefore is exempt from bringing a sin-offering.

SHABBAT: CHAPTER 13: MISHNA 1

Rabbi Eliezer says, One who weaves three threads at the beginning and one on the web is liable. But the Sages say. Whether at the beginning or at the end, its measure is two threads.

Kehati

This chapter deals with the main categories of activity in the preparation of clothes, such as weaving, sewing, and the works involved in the preparation of wool, as well as the work of trapping. This mishnah discusses the measure of weaving which incurs liability. Although it has already been taught, "weaving two threads" (7:2, above), not all Tannaim accept this measure.

Rabbi Eliezer says: One who weaves - on Shabbat - three threads at the beginning and one on the web is liable - I.e., when one begins to weave a garment he is liable only if he weaves at least three threads. However, "on the web", i.e., when he adds to what has already been woven, he is liable even for the weaving of one thread, because he adds this thread to the rest.

But the Sages say, Whether at the beginning - of the weaving, or at the end if he adds to an existing web, its measure - for establishing liability on Shabbat, is two threads - Some authorities note that the wording used by the Sages, "or at the end," does not refer to the conclusion of the weaving of the garment, for in this case even the Sages agree that he is liable for even one thread, since with this he completes the garment (Shab. 104b). Rather, they refer to the middle of the weaving of the garment: even though he adds to the garment, he is liable only if he weaves two threads, i.e., he inserts on Shabbat two wefts in and out of the warp threads. The halakhah follows the Sages.

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