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How can the chachamim cancel Torah (תורה) obligations like lulav on Sukkos (סוכות) when Shabbos (שבת) intervenes? The Ramban (רמב"ן) and Rabbeinu Yonah establish that chachamim can nullify mitzvos entirely, but only when there's no other halachic category available or when it serves the mitzvah (מצוה)'s proper fulfillment. This principle explains key differences between shofar and lulav restrictions on Shabbos.
This shiur presents a comprehensive analysis of a foundational question in Jewish law regarding the scope of rabbinic authority over biblical commandments. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining contradictions in the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s rulings about reading Shema after chatzos (midnight) and the laws of lulav on Shabbos (שבת), noting apparent inconsistencies in when mitzvos can be performed outside their proper time. The central issue emerges through Rabbeinu Yonah's pointed question: How can the chachamim (Sages) exempt someone from a Torah (תורה) obligation? This leads to two fundamentally different approaches to understanding rabbinic authority. The first approach, advocated by Rabbeinu Yonah in his first answer, suggests that when chachamim prohibit certain mitzvos (like taking lulav on Shabbos), they only exempt from the blessings, not from the basic obligation to read or perform the mitzvah (מצוה).
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Berachos 2a
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