Mishnah 1
Hear the Mishnah

1)

(a)What does the Mishnah say about someone who, having forgotten that Melachos on Shabbos are prohibited, performs many Melachos on a number of Shabbasos? How many Chata'os is he obligated to bring?

(b)What if he once knew about Shabbos, but it completely slipped his mind?

(c)What is the reason for this ruling?

(d)How do we learn it from the Pasuk in Ki Sissa "es Shabsosai Tishmoru"?

1)

(a)The Mishnah rules that someone who, having forgotten that Melachos on Shabbos are prohibited, performs many Melachos on a number of Shabbasos, is obligated to bring - one Chatas ...

(b)... even if he once knew about Shabbos, but it completely slipped his min ...

(c)... bcause it is all one Shegagah (he forgot about Shabbos, period).

(d)We learn it from the Pasuk in Ki Sissa "es Shabsosai Tishmoru" - which implies 'one Shemirah for many Shabbsos'.

2)

(a)How many Chata'os will one someone have to bring if he knew that Melachos are prohibited on Shabbos, but he performed them each week because he forgot that it was Shabbos?

(b)What is the reason for this ruling?

(c)How do we learn it from the Pasuk there "Veshamru B'nei Yisrael es ha'Shabbos"?

(d)Bearing in mind that he did not recall in between that it was Shabbos, why do we not say that it is all one forgetting (He'elam Echad) and that he is therefore Chayav to bring only one Chatas?

2)

(a)If someone knew that Melachos are prohibited on Shabbos, but he performed them each week because he forgot that it was Shabbos - he is obligated to bring a Chatas for Shabbos that he contravened ...

(b)... since each Shabbos is an independent Shegagah.

(c)And we learn it from the Pasuk there "Veshamru B'nei Yisrael es ha'Shabbos" - which implies 'a Shemirah for each Shabbos'.

(d)Despite the fact that he did not recall in between that it was Shabbos, we do not say that it is all one forgetting (He'elam Echad) and that he is therefore Chayav to bring only one Chatas - because it is impossible that he was not made aware of Shabbos from one Shabbos to the next, only by the time the next Shabbos arrived, he forgot again.

3)

(a)What does the Mishnah now rule about someone who knows that it is Shabbos, and he performed many Melachos on a number of Shabbasos, not knowing (or having forgotten) that these Melachos are forbidden?

(b)Why do we not say here too, that he is also Chayav for each Shabbos, just like we said in the previous case?

(c)What if he performed ...

1. ... an Av Melachah together with its Toldah?

2. ... a number of Toldos pertaining to the same Av Melachah?

(d)In introducing these Halachos, how does the Tana refer to them?

3)

(a)The Mishnah now rules that someone who knows that it is Shabbos, and he performed many Melachos on a number of Shabbasos, not knowing (or having forgotten) that these Melachos are forbidden - is Chayav one Chatas for each Av Melachah that he transgressed.

(b)We do not say here too, that he is also Chayav for each Shabbos, just like we said in the previous case - because if it is inevitable not to hear that it is Shabbos, one will only know the Halachos from one Shabbos to the next, if one actually learns them.

(c)If he performed ...

1. ... an Av Melachah together with its Toldah - he is only Chayav for the Av Melachah.

2. ... a number of Toldos pertaining to the same Av Melachah - he is only Chayav one Chatas.

(d)In introducing these Halachos, the Tana refers to them as - 'K'lal Gadol'.

Mishnah 2
Hear the Mishnah

4)

(a)The Mishnah now proceeds to list the thirty-nine Avos Melachos (which are sub-divided into four lists). How does the Tana present the number thirty-nine (See Tos. Yom-Tov)?

(b)What is strange about the first two Melachos 'Zore'a' and 'Choresh' (seeding and plowing)?

(c)Why does the Tana switch the order of the way they are generally performed?

(d)The next four are 'Kotzer', 'Me'amer', Dash', 'Zoreh' and 'Borer' (reaping, piling up, threshing, winnowing and selecting). What is the significance of 'Melaket' in this context?

4)

(a)The Mishnah now proceeds to list the thirty-nine Avos Melachos (which are sub-divided into four lists), which the Tana presents as forty minus one (See Tos. Yom-Tov)

(b)What is strange about the first two Melachos 'Zore'a' and 'Choresh' (seeding and plowing) is - that they are normally performed in the reverse order.

(c)The Tana switches the order of the way they are generally performed - to teach us that if, due to the harness of the ground, it is necessary to plow it again after seeding, one is nevertheless Chayav if one does so on Shabbos.

(d)The next five are 'Kotzer', 'Me'amer', Dash', 'Zoreh' and 'Borer' (reaping, piling up, threshing, winnowing and selecting). 'Melaket' (picking the fruit) by a tree is the equivalent to Kotzer by grain.

5)

(a)What is ...

1. ... 'Me'amer'?

2. ... 'Zoreh'?

3. ... 'Borer'?

(b)The next two are 'Tochen' and 'Meraked' (grinding and sifting). What is the difference between 'Borer' and 'Meraked'?

(c)What is strange about the fact that the Tana includes Zoreh, Borer and Meraked in the list?

(d)One reason that the Tana reckons them as three Avos Melachos is because they were all performed for the construction of the Mishkan. What is the other reason?

5)

(a)The definition of ...

1. ... 'Me'amer' is - gathering detached grain and the like and placing it in piles.

2. ... 'Zoreh' is - throwing up the grain from a board, so that the wind will blow away the chaff.

3. ... 'Borer' - selecting the bad from the good using either one's hands or a sieve.

(b)The next two are 'Tochen' and 'Meraked' (grinding and sifting). 'Borer' refers to selecting or sifting grain, whereas 'Meraked' refers to sifting flour.

(c)What is strange about the fact that the Tana includes Zoreh, Borer and Meraked in the list - is the fact that all three serve the same purpose, and ought to be listed as one Av Melachah.

(d)One reason that the Tana reckons them as three Avos Melachos is because they were all performed in connection with the construction of the Mishkan. The other reason is - because they all take place at different stages.

6)

(a)Next on the list is 'Ofeh' (baking). Why should the Tana rather have said 'Mevashel' (cooking)?

(b)Then why did he say 'Ofeh'?

(c)What if someone stirs the pot whilst it is on the stove, or places the lid on it?

(d)What is the significance (vis-a-vis the Mishkan) of ...

1. ... the above eleven Melachos?

2. ... the list that follows (shearing wool, bleaching it and beating it ... )?

6)

(a)Next on the list is 'Ofeh' (baking). The Tana should rather have said 'Mevashel' (cooking) - since it was performed in the Mishkan (whereas baking was not).

(b)And the reason that he said 'Ofeh' - is because he is presenting all this set of Melachos as stages of baking bread.

(c)If someone stirs the pot whilst it is on the stove, or places the lid on it - he is Chayav because of 'Mevashel'.

(d)The significance of ...

1. ... the above eleven Melachos - is that they were all performed in connection with preparing the dyes with which they dyed the wool curtains and Bigdei Kehunah.

2. ... the list that follows (shearing wool, bleaching it and beating it ... ) - is that they were all performed in connection with obtaining and preparing the Techeiles with which some of above were dyed.

7)

(a)The next list begins with 'Gozez' (Tzemer), 'Melaben', 'Menapetz' and 'Tzov'ea (shearing, bleaching, beating and dyeing. What else might 'Menapetz' mean?

(b)And the Mishnah continues with 'Toveh', 'Meisech' and 'Oseh Sh'nei Batei Nirin'. Toveh means spinning. What is the meaning of ...

1. ... 'Meisech'?

2. ... 'Oseh Sh'nei Batei Nirin'?

(c)The next four on the list are 'Oreg Sh'nei Chutin', 'Potze'a Sh'nei Chutin', 'Kosher' and 'Matir' (untying). Oreg ... means weaving two threads. What does 'Potze'a Sh'nei Chutin' mean?

(d)If Kosher was performed in the Mishkan to make nets to catch the Chilazon, when did they perform 'Matir'?

7)

(a)The next list begins with 'Gozez' (es ha'Tzemer), 'Melaben', 'Menapetz' and 'Tzov'ea (shearing, bleaching, beating - or combing and dyeing).

(b)And the Mishnah continues with 'Toveh', 'Meisech' and 'Oseh Sh'nei Batei Nirin'. Toveh means spinning ...

1. ... 'Meisech' - stretching the threads on to the weaving-loom ...

2. ... 'Oseh Sh'nei Batei Nirin' - to make two leashes or thrums on the weaving-loom, to which the threads of the warp are fastened.

(c)The next four on the list are 'Oreg Sh'nei Chutin', 'Potze'a Sh'nei Chutin', 'Kosher' and 'Matir'. Oreg ... means weaving two threads. What does 'Potze'a Sh'nei Chutin' - to remove two threads of the woof from the warp (or vice-versa) in order to improve the weaving.

(d)Kosher was performed in the Mishkan to make nets to catch the Chilazon fish (from which they extracted Techeiles), whereas 'Matir' they performed - when they needed to remove threads from one net to tie on to another one.

8)

(a)The last two on this list are 'Tofer Sh'tei Tefiros' and Kore'a al-M'nas Litefor Sh'tei Tefiros'. On what grounds is someone who performs it Chayav two Chata'os?

(b)Why is the knot crucial?

(c)In what connection in the Mishkan did they perform 'Kore'a'?

8)

(a)The last two on this list are 'Tofer Sh'tei Tefiros' and Kore'a al-M'nas Litefor Sh'tei Tefiros'. Someone who performs it is Chayav two Chata'os - since, in order to complete the Melachah, he needs to tie a knot ...

(b)... otherwise - the stitches will simply come undone.

(c)In the Mishkan, they performed 'Kore'a' - when moths ate holes in the curtains, and they needed to tear both ends of the holes, in order to re-stitch the torn curtains.

9)

(a)The third sub-division of Melachos begins with 'Tzad Tz'vi', 'Shochto', 'Mafshito', 'Molcho' and 'Me'abdo'. What do they mean?

(b)What purpose did this and the subsequent two Melachos serve for the construction of the Mishkan?

(c)What problem does the Gemarta have with the Tana's insertion of both Moleach and Me'abed?

(d)How do we solve the problem? What is 'Mesartet'?

(e)The last two Melachos in this list are 'Memachek' and 'Mechatech'. What do they mean?

9)

(a)The third sub-division of Melachos begins with 'Tzad Tz'vi', 'Shochto', 'Mafshito', 'Molcho' and 'Me'abdo' - (trapping a deer, Shechting it, skinning it and salting it, respectively).

(b)These and the subsequent two Melachos - were performed in connecting with preparing the Tachash skins that were used in the construction of the Mishkan.

(c)The problem with the Tana's insertion of both Mole'ach and Me'abed is - that since they both achieve the same end (preservation), they are really one and the same Melachah.

(d)We solve the problem - by replacing one of them with 'Measartet' (marking the skins for cutting).

(e)The last two Melachos in this list are 'Memachek' and 'Mechatech' - (scraping off the hair and cutting the skin into strips for manufacturing laces and shoes.

10)

(a)The last sub-division (comprising mostly unconnected pairs of Melachos), contains 'Kosev Sh'tei Osiyos', 'Boneh' and 'Mechabeh'. What is the opposite Melachah that pairs with ...

1. ... 'Kosev Sh'tei Osiyos'?

2. ... 'Boneh'?

3. ... 'Mechabeh' (extinguishing a fire)?

(b)What purpose did ...

1. ... Koseiv and Mochek, respectively, serve in the construction of the Mishkan?

2. ... Mav'ir and Mechabeh serve?

10)

(a)The last sub-division (comprising mostly unconnected pairs of Melachos), contains 'Kosev Sh'tei Osiyos', 'Boneh' and 'Mechabeh'. The opposite Melachah that pairs with ...

1. ... 'Kosev Sh'tei Osiyos' is - 'Mochek (erasing) al-M'nas Lichetov Sh'tei Osiyos'.

2. ... 'Boneh' is - Soser (demolishing [see Tos. Yom-Tov]).

3. ... 'Mechabeh' (extinguishing a fire [see previous Tos. Yom-Tov]) is - 'Mav'ir (lighting a fire).

(b)The purpose served with regard to the construction of the Mishkan by ...

1. ... Koseiv and Mochek, respectively, was - to mark the planks (which had to be erected in their designated location, and to erase any erroneous markings (see previous Tos. Yom-Tov).

2. ... Mav'ir and Mechabeh, was - when boiling the various dyes that were needed for the hangings and the Bigdei Kehunah.

11)

(a)The thirty-eighth Melachah is 'Makeh ba'Patish'. What is the definition of Makeh ba'Patish'?

(b)What is the thirty-ninth Melachah?

(c)Why does the Tana begin the Mishnah with 'Avos Melachos Arba'im Chaser Achas', seeing as he lists all thirty-nine Melachos and we can count them ourselves?

(d)Why is that?

11)

(a)The thirty-eighth Melachah is 'Makeh ba'Patish' - (completing a Melachah, because, upon completing his work, a laborer tends to bang his hammer on the anvil to keep it smooth).

(b)The thirty-ninth Melachah is - carrying from one domain to the other.

(c)Despite the fact that the Tana lists all thirty-nine Melachos and we can count them ourselves, he begins the Mishnah with 'Avos Melachos Arba'im Chaser Achas' - to teach us that no matter how many types of Melachah one performs on Shabbos, he cannot be Chayav more than thirty-nine Chata'os (see Tos. Yom-Tov) ...

(d)... since every other Melachah must be a Toldah of one of the thirty-nine, and someone who performs an Av together with its Toldah is only Chayav one Chatas, as we learned earlier.

Mishnah 3
Hear the Mishnah

12)

(a)The Mishnah now presents a second K'lal, which begins 'Kol ha'Kasher Lehatzni'o, u'Matzni'in Kamohu ... '. What is the meaning of ...

1. ... 'Kol ha'Kasher Lehatzni'o, ve'Hotzi'o'?

2. ... 'u'Matzni'in Kamohu'?

(b)What does the Tana say about ...

1. ... someone who carries it out on Shabbos?

2. ... something that is not 'Kasher Lehatzni'o', or that 'Ein Matzni'in Kamohu'?

12)

(a)The Mishnah now presents a second K'lal, which begins 'Kol ha'Kasher Lehatzni'o, u'Matzni'in Kamohu ... '. The meaning of ...

1. ... 'Kol ha'Kasher Lehatzni'o, ve'Hotzi'o' is - Anything which is useful and that one might therefore store away.

2. ... 'u'Matzni'in Kamohu' is - that it has the Shi'ur that one would store away.

(b)The Tana rules that ...

1. ... someone who carries it out on Shabbos is Chayav a Chatas'.

2. ... if one carries out something that is not 'Kasher Lehatzni'o', or that is 'Ein Matzni'in Kamohu' - one is Patur.

Mishnah 4
Hear the Mishnah

13)

(a)The Tana discusses the Shi'ur for carrying into the street regular straw and Atzah, grass, garlic and onion leaves. What is 'Atzah'?

(b)If the Shi'ur for carrying out straw is the mouthful of a cow, what is the Shi'ur for carrying out Atzah?

(c)Why is one not Chayav for carrying out a mouthful of a camel of straw?

(d)What if one carries out a mouthful of a cow of Atzah?

13)

(a)The Tana discusses the Shi'ur for carrying into the street regular straw and Atzah - (straw of legumes), grass, garlic and onion leaves.

(b)The Shi'ur for carrying out straw is the mouthful of a cow, for carrying out Atzah - the mouthful of a camel.

(c)One is not Chayav for carrying out a mouthful of a camel of straw - because the mouth of a camel is smaller than that of a cow, in which case it falls under the category of 'Ein Matzni'in Kamohu'.

(d)If on the other hand, one carries out a mouthful of a cow of Atzah - one is Chayav, because it is more than the minimum Shi'ur.

14)

(a)Next the Tana discusses the Shi'ur for Amir and grass. What is 'Amir'?

(b)If the Shi'ur for carrying out 'Amir' is the mouthful of a lamb, what is the Shi'ur for carrying out grass?

(c)Why is one ...

1. ... not Chayav for carrying out a mouthful of a kid-goat of Amir?

2. ... Chayav for carrying a mouthful of a kid-goat of grass?

14)

(a)Next the Tana discusses the Shi'ur for Amir - (the stubble of stalks of grain) and grass (see Tif'eres Yisrael).

(b)The Shi'ur for carrying out 'Amir' is the mouthful of a lamb, for carrying out grass - the mouthful of a kid-goat.

(c)One is ...

1. ... not Chayav for carrying out a mouthful of a kid-goat of Amir - because kid-goats do not Amir.

2. ... however, Chayav for carrying a mouthful of a kid-goat of grass - because kid-goats, as well as lambs, eat grass.

15)

(a)If the Shi'ur for carrying out dry garlic and onion leaves is the mouthful of a kid-goat, what is the Shi'ur for carrying them out when they are wet?

(b)Why is that?

(c)What will be the Din if one carries out a combination of half the Shi'ur of dry onion or garlic leaves and half the Shi'ur of wet ones?

(d)What is the Shi'ur for carrying out food?

15)

(a)The Shi'ur for carrying out dry garlic and onion leaves is the mouthful of a kid-goat, the Shi'ur for carrying them out when they are wet is - a ki'Gerogeres (a dried fig) ...

(b)... because it is fit to be eaten as it is, and the Shi'ur of all food is a ki'Gerogeres.

(c)If one carries out a combination of half the Shi'ur of dry onion or garlic leaves and half the Shi'ur of wet ones - one is Patur, because items with different Shi'urim do not combine to form a Shi'ur (see Tiferes Yisrael).

(d)The Shi'ur for carrying out food is a ki'Gerogeres (as we just learned).

16)

(a)What does the Mishnah say about someone who carries out a ki'Gerogeres comprising a variety of different foods?

(b)What does the Tana Kama say about the ...

1. ... (inedible) peels and the pits?

2. ... stalks, the Subin and the Mursan?

(c)What is the definition of ...

1. ... 'Subin'?

2. ... 'Mursan'?

(d)What does the Rambam say about this?

(e)What is his reason?

16)

(a)The Mishnah rules that if someone who carries out a ki'Gerogeres comprising a variety of different foods - they all combine to make up the Shi'ur ki'Gerogeres.

(b)According to the Tana Kama, this does not incorporate the ...

1. ... (inedible) peels and the pits, or the ...

2. ... stalks, the Subin and the Mursan.

(c)The definition of ...

1. ... 'Subin' is - the outer husk of wheat that falls off when the grain is pounded.

2. ... 'Mursan' - is the coarse bran that remains in the sieve after the grains have fallen through.

(d)The Rambam reverses the two definitions ...

(e)... because he claims - that Mursan is thicker than Subin and is inferior to it.

17)

(a)In which point does Rebbi Yehudah disagree with the Tana Kama? What is the exception with regard to peels/pods?

(b)What does 'ha'Misbashlos Imahen' come to exclude?

(c)What does Rebbi Yehudah hold with regard to the peels of beans? On what condition are they included in the Shi'ur?

(d)Why are dry ones not included?

(e)Like whom is the Halachah?

17)

(a)Rebbi Yehudah disagrees with the Tana Kama with regard to - lentil pods that are cooked together with them (the lentils ['ha'Misbashlos Imahen']), which he includes in the Shi'ur ki'Gerog'ros of the lentils.

(b)'ha'Misbashlos Imahen' comes to exclude - the outer shells, which are not included, since they come off when the lentils are threshed.

(c)Rebbi Yehudah - also includes the peels of beans in the Shi'ur, provided they are still moist, but not if they have dried ...

(d)... and are therefore no longer edible.

(e)The Halachah is - like the Tana Kama.

D.A.F. TALMUD RESOURCES
FOR MASECHES SHABBOS