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Is a Torah (תורה) violation that takes time to complete one extended transgression throughout its duration, or is it finished immediately upon initiation? The Riva holds that cooking on Shabbos (שבת) creates continuous liability until completion, while Tosafot Yeshanim argues the entire violation occurs when placing food in the oven. This fundamental dispute affects liability for forgetfulness, duress, and the permissibility of pre-Shabbos cooking.
This shiur explores a fundamental debate about the nature of Torah (תורה) prohibitions that take time to complete, particularly focusing on the laws of Shabbos (שבת). The central question is whether actions like cooking (bishul) that require extended time constitute one continuous transgression throughout their duration, or whether the entire violation is considered complete from the moment of initiation. The Gemara (גמרא) presents a case where someone puts food in an oven and then remembers it's Shabbos. The Riva holds that this creates an "extended action" (ma'aseh nimshach) - meaning the person is actively violating Shabbos throughout the entire cooking process. According to this view, if external circumstances prevent him from removing the food (like rabbinical decree), he becomes an "ones" (under duress) during part of his action and is therefore exempt from liability.
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Masechta Shabbos 4a
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Why does the Gemara say one Shabbos protects from Amalek while two Shabboses bring redemption? The shiur applies a principle from Kiddushin about repetition changing psychology: the first time doing anything is experimental, but the second demonstrates genuine desire. True Shabbos connection with Hashem requires moving beyond spiritual curiosity to authentic internalization.
