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When does placing objects on water constitute proper hanacha on Shabbos (שבת)? The shiur analyzes the Gemara (גמרא)'s cases (water on water, nuts on water, oil on wine) through the lens of whether hanacha requires both stability and ground connection. The Rambam (רמב"ם)'s distinction between hanacha and akira cases reveals that hanacha needs only immediate stability, while akira requires both elements.
This shiur provides a detailed analysis of Gemara (גמרא) Shabbos (שבת) 5b, focusing on the fundamental question of when placing objects on water constitutes a proper act of hanacha (placing) or akira (lifting) that would render one liable for violating Shabbos. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary on the phrase 'mayim agav mayim' (water upon water), exploring whether this refers to the top waters or bottom waters being in motion (nayid). The discussion reveals that according to Rashi, the problem is that the waters are in motion, making it unclear whether this constitutes proper placement. The Gemara's progression through various cases is analyzed: mayim agav mayim (water on water), egos agav mayim (nuts on water), and shemen agav yayin (oil on wine). Rabbi Zweig explains that the fundamental issue is determining what constitutes proper hanacha - whether the object must be stationary in relation to what it's placed upon, and whether it must also be connected to the ground (karka). According to the analysis, mayim agav mayim has both elements present (it becomes one unified substance and rests on the ground), while egos agav mayim has neither element.
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Shabbos 5b
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