Shabbos Chart #8

Chart for Shabbos Daf 46b

WHY OIL OF A LAMP IS "MUKTZAH"

(A)
REASON IT MAY NOT
BE EATEN
(B)
REASON IT MAY NOT
BE MOVED
1 OIL IN A LAMP
THAT IS LIT
-Isur of extinguishing
-Huktzah l'Mitzvaso
-Basis (1)
Basis (1)
2 OIL THAT DRIPPED
FROM A LAMP THAT
IS LIT (3)
-Huktzah l'Mitzvaso
-Muktzah Machmas Isur (2)
Muktzah Machmas Isur
3 OIL LEFT AFTER
THE LAMP WAS
EXTINGUISHED (4)
Muktzah Machmas Isur Muktzah Machmas Isur
-------------------------------------------------

==========

FOOTNOTES:

==========

(1) It is a Basis to a Davar Asur -- that is, to the flame, which is Asur to touch or handle just like sticks and stones (see Insights 47:1). In addition, it is forbidden to move the lamp in which the oil rests because it is a Basis to the oil itself, which is a Davar Asur since it is not possible to remove it the entire time that the flame is burning (because of the Isur of extinguishing). (The fact that it is Huktzah l'Mitzvaso only forbids it from being eaten, but does not forbid it from being moved. The reason for this is because moving it does not detract from the Mitzvah in any way. TOSFOS 45a, DH Ela)

(2) That is, there are two reasons to forbid it from being eaten, as we explained in detail in the Insights to Daf 45a. (The fact that it is Huktzah l'Mitzvaso does not forbid it from being moved, as we explained in footnote #1 above).

(3) In the opinion of TOSFOS, this Halachah is true according to both Rebbi Yehudah and Rebbi Shimon. Even Rebbi Shimon rules that the oil is Muktzah the entire time that the lamp is lit, because one did not have any intention to use the oil that drips from the lamp. (However, according to Rebbi Eliezer, the son of Rebbi Shimon, oil that drips from the lamp is not Muktzah. Gemara 44a) In the opinion of RASHI (44a, DH Min ha'Ner, and DH Kavah), it appears that only Rebbi Yehudah forbids oil that drips from a lit lamp, and not Rebbi Shimon. However, if the lamp is already beginning to go out, even though taking out oil is not considered extinguishing, nevertheless the oil in it is Muktzah according to Rebbi Shimon (since one did not intend to use this oil when he lit the lamp before Shabbos). Rebbi Eliezer, his son, argues and permits removing and using oil while the flame is in the process of going out. (See Maharsha and Sefas Emes on Rashi; Insights to 44:2)

(4) This oil is only forbidden according to Rebbi Yehudah (Gemara 44a). If a large bowl of oil (and not merely a small lamp) that contained enough oil to burn throughout the entire Shabbos went out on Shabbos, even Rebbi Shimon prohibits using the leftover oil because it is Muktzah Machmas Isur, since before Shabbos one did not have any intention at all to use this oil on Shabbos.

OTHER D.A.F. RESOURCES
ON THIS DAF