In the Daf this response is brought as proof from the Ma'aseh of R. Shimon ben Gamliel suggesting that his family action was more compelling a proof then the mesorah of the halacha earlier in the sugya. Could the Kollel explain the contradition between this answer of the Gemara and the text I have seen elsewhere which suggests that we don't learn halacha from a Ma'aseh
Michael Goldrich, East Brunswick, USA
Spot on!
There is a Machlokes in Bava Basra 130b whether we say 'Ma'aseh Rav' (because once an Amora actually issues a ruling like one opinion, he really holds like that) or 'Halachah Adifah' (because one may have misunderstood the reason behind the ruling).
The Gemara in Shabbos holds like the first opinion (and that is how we normally take on).
Kol Tuv,
R. Eliezer Chrysler