1.A few days ago in the daf it seemed to me that according to Rashi the argument between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon with regard to a melacha sheana tzricha legufa is on the biblical level(rabbi shimon would agree that is rabbinically prohibited) but their argument with regard to davar sheano mitchaven is on the rabbinic level. Is this correct.
2.Also it seemed from todays daf that felt pillows were considered a Kli but a wooden block was not. How exactly is it determined what is a kli and what would be muktzeh Machmot gufo.
Mitchell, New York, NY
1. This is correct, and is the general approach to this argument.
2. The basic guidelines for determining a Kli regarding Muktzah Machmas Gufo is whether or not the item is designated for purposeful use on Shabbos. As long as the item has such a use, whether it is by special designation (where even a rock can be designated as a door holder before Shabbos, whereas that same rock is Muktzah Machmas Gufo if not designated before Shabbos) or by its already having a specific function in which capacity it can be used on Shabbos (such as a felt pillow), it avoids being labeled Muktzah Machmas Gufo.
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose
If this is the case, then why is it that the gemara proves from the case of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel with the date palms that are used for sitting that he does not require an item to be a kli in order for it to be moved in contrast to Rabbi Yochanan. The palms are being set aside for something purposeful -- in order to sit on them. One answer I heard is that since they are flat wooden utensils and cannot become tamei they are not a utensil. However, does every Kli have to mekabel tumah?
There is an argument among the Rishonim regarding the opinion of Rebbi Yochanan in the Gemara which you quoted (126b). The most simple explanation is the opinion of most Rishonim, voiced by Rabeinu Tam (Tosfos DH "v'Chi Teima"), that when Rebbi Yochanan says that items must have a Toras Kli to avoid being Muktzah Machmas Gofu, he means that the item needs to be more apparently set aside to be used on Shabbos for its permitted purpose (see also Ran 49b in Dafei ha'Rif).
The answer you heard is indeed incorrect. We find throughout the Misnayos in Taharos that many kinds of Keilim are not Mekabel Tumah, though they are called Keilim (i.e. Keilim made out of fertilizer).
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose