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When two people collaborate on one melacha, why isn't each person liable for their part of the action? The shiur distinguishes between liability for performing forbidden work versus liability for causing chilul Shabbos (שבת) itself. Only one person can bear responsibility for the result of desecrating Shabbos, parallel to kofer payments where only one payment covers one victim.
This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Masechta Shabbos (שבת) 3a, focusing on the complex sugya of two people performing one melacha on Shabbos. The Gemara (גמרא) begins with the Mishna's case of shnayim she'asu (two who performed together), examining why there are specifically twelve cases mentioned rather than more. The core discussion centers on understanding what makes someone liable when two people collaborate on a single melacha. The Gemara initially suggests that the one who "crosses the line" (oser de'chiyuv chatas) is counted in the Mishna, while the one who doesn't cross this line (lo oser de'chiyuv chatas) is not counted. Tosfos explains this refers to the person who performs the hotza'ah (carrying out), which is considered the primary component of the melacha.
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Shabbos 3a
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