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When do machshirei mitzvah (מצוה) (preparatory acts for mitzvos) override Shabbos (שבת) prohibitions? The shiur develops the principle that only unavoidable mitzvos justify Shabbos violations - if one can postpone the mitzvah or exempt themselves entirely, preparation loses its overriding status. This explains why tzitzis and mezuzah making on Shabbos incurs liability despite being lemitzvah.
This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Gemara (גמרא) Shabbos (שבת) 131a, focusing on the fundamental question of when machshirei mitzvah (מצוה) (preparatory acts for mitzvos) are considered docheh Shabbos (override Shabbos prohibitions). The discussion begins with examining various scenarios where preparation for mitzvos might involve Shabbos violations, such as cutting wood to build a sukkah or preparing matzah for Pesach (פסח). A key debate emerges regarding the difference between the mitzvah itself and its preparatory requirements - while the core mitzvah obligation might justify overriding Shabbos, the question remains whether ancillary preparations share this status. The Gemara discusses specific cases involving tzitzis and mezuzah, where Rabbeinu Tam holds that one who makes these on Shabbos is chayav (liable for a korban). This raises the fundamental question of why there is no exemption based on called lemitzvah (acting for the sake of a mitzvah), which typically provides exemption from korban liability. The Maharsha's explanation distinguishes between different types of Shabbos violations done for mitzvah purposes: one who becomes so absorbed in mitzvah performance that they forget about Shabbos restrictions versus one who mistakenly believes the mitzvah permits Shabbos violations.
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Shabbos 131a
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