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Why does the Torah (תורה) repeat the fire prohibition in Parshas Vayakhel when it was already included in the Aseres Hadibros? The Ramban (רמב"ן)'s approach reveals that Vayakhel introduces a new dimension: Shabbos (שבת) transforms from purely kedushas zman requiring individual observance to also kedushas makom requiring communal environmental creation. This explains why even Mishkan construction cannot override Shabbos.
This shiur examines a fundamental question raised by the Ramban (רמב"ן) regarding why the Torah (תורה) repeats the prohibition of making fire on Shabbos (שבת) in Parshas Vayakhel when it was already included in the thirty-nine melachos mentioned in the Ten Commandments. The Ramban cites a Midrash from Rav Nosson suggesting that originally, under the Aseres Hadibros, one could make a fire on Shabbos if the entire body derived benefit (melacha she'kol haguf nehene), similar to ochel nefesh on Yom Tov. However, Parshas Vayakhel comes to prohibit even this type of melacha. The shiur addresses the fundamental question of what changed between these two presentations of Shabbos law. It also examines Rashi (רש"י)'s comment that this parsha occurred 'lamochoras Yom Kippur' and his observation that the juxtaposition of Shabbos laws before the Mishkan commandments teaches that Shabbos is not pushed aside for building the Mishkan, even though Shabbos violations are capital offenses.
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Masechta Shabbos, Parshas Vayakhel
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