General rule of derivative labors on Shabbat
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Question
Introduction to the questions:
“Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish
were engaged with this chapter for three years and disputed with one another.
They derived from it thirty‑nine derivative categories for each one of them.
What they found a basis on which to rely — they relied on it,
and what they did not find a basis on which to rely — they made it prohibited because of ‘makeh bepatish’ (the final hammer blow).”.
[From: Talmud Yerushalmi, tractate Shabbat, chapter 7, halacha 2, folio 44a].
Thirty‑nine derivative categories for each of the thirty‑nine primary labors —
that is, 1521 derivatives.
The questions:
1. Are the 39 derivatives for each of the 39 primary labors
a finite and absolute number of all possible derivatives,
or is it possible that the advance of science and technology
has led (or could lead) to the discovery of new derivatives?
2. Where is there a single list of all these 1521 derivatives?
3. If the list of these 1521 derivatives
is accessible only in Gan Eden,
where is the list with the greatest number of derivatives
that is nevertheless accessible in the practical, physical world?
4. If there is no such unified consolidated list,
is the best way to create such a list
to summarize from the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam,
Book of Zmanim, the Laws of Shabbat?
Or is there a book in which more derivatives are recorded?
5. Where is there a single list of all rabbinic decrees (derabbanan)
specifically related to the 39 primary labors
and all their derivatives?
6. If there is no such unified consolidated list,
is the best way to create such a list
to summarize from the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam,
Book of Zmanim, the Laws of Shabbat?
Or is there a book in which more rabbinic decrees are recorded
specifically on the subject of the 39 primary labors
and all their derivatives?
Bli neder (without a vow),
thank you.
“Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish
were engaged with this chapter for three years and disputed with one another.
They derived from it thirty‑nine derivative categories for each one of them.
What they found a basis on which to rely — they relied on it,
and what they did not find a basis on which to rely — they made it prohibited because of ‘makeh bepatish’ (the final hammer blow).”.
[From: Talmud Yerushalmi, tractate Shabbat, chapter 7, halacha 2, folio 44a].
Thirty‑nine derivative categories for each of the thirty‑nine primary labors —
that is, 1521 derivatives.
The questions:
1. Are the 39 derivatives for each of the 39 primary labors
a finite and absolute number of all possible derivatives,
or is it possible that the advance of science and technology
has led (or could lead) to the discovery of new derivatives?
2. Where is there a single list of all these 1521 derivatives?
3. If the list of these 1521 derivatives
is accessible only in Gan Eden,
where is the list with the greatest number of derivatives
that is nevertheless accessible in the practical, physical world?
4. If there is no such unified consolidated list,
is the best way to create such a list
to summarize from the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam,
Book of Zmanim, the Laws of Shabbat?
Or is there a book in which more derivatives are recorded?
5. Where is there a single list of all rabbinic decrees (derabbanan)
specifically related to the 39 primary labors
and all their derivatives?
6. If there is no such unified consolidated list,
is the best way to create such a list
to summarize from the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam,
Book of Zmanim, the Laws of Shabbat?
Or is there a book in which more rabbinic decrees are recorded
specifically on the subject of the 39 primary labors
and all their derivatives?
Bli neder (without a vow),
thank you.
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
We have no knowledge of which derivative labors they actually derived, and therefore everything I will write is conjecture and not certain knowledge.
1. It appears that the derivatives as well are “general categories” and not “particular details,” and consequently all inventions will fall under these general categories.
2. There is none.
3. I am not aware of any.
4. The Gemara, the Rambam, and the Shulchan Aruch.
5. There is no complete list.
6. Rambam, Hilchot Shabbat, chapters 21–22.
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