CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
62. The Sabbath Commandment Against Lighting a Fire
QUESTION: The tradition concerning shabbat lists thirty-nine prohibited types of work. Most of them are derived deductively, however, the commandment against lighting a fire on the Sabbath is specific. Why is that so? (Stanley H. Levin, Pittsburgh PA)ANSWER: The commandment, which prohibits the lighting of a fire on the Sabbath (Ex 35.3), along with that against collecting mannah and the prohibition against planting, serving and harvesting represented the only specific injunctions which define work prohibited on shabbat in the Torah. The main statement which demanded rest was part of the Decalogue (Ex 20.10) and did not define work nor was a definition provided in Deuteronomy (5.14). The death penalty was specified for those who violate these ordinances (Ex 31.15; 35.2; Nu 15.32 ff). The Bible provided only a few instances of work specifically prohibited on the Sabbath. Jeremiah mentioned transporting items or “doing work” on shabbat (Jer 17.21, 22) while Amos listed trading on the Sabbath as prohibited (Amos 8.5). Nehemiah included trading conducted by non-Jews (Neh l0.32). He closed the city gates as he found people loading their asses, carrying fruit and other items as well as working in their wine presses (Neh 13.1521). The prohibition against the collection of mannah included its baking and preparation (Ex 16.22 ff). We can see from these statements that the Bible proceeded in the direction of specific prohibitions, but did not present us with a complete system as later found in the rabbinic literature. There, we find thirty-nine categories of work prohibited (M Shab 7.2; 11-24). All were associated with the construction of the desert tabernacle (Ex 35) principally because the specific Sabbath prohibition was associated with the construction of the Tabernacle (Ex 35.2, 3). Subsequently in the Talmud these categories designated as avot were further divided into toledot and so sub-categories became defined. The prohibition against lighting a fire, collecting and preparing mannah and plowing, sowing and harvesting represent the Torah’s steps toward defining work on the shabbat. It is not clear from the text why the prohibition against lighting a fire was singled out as a specific prohibited act. The commentators provide different interpretations on this. Some like Ibn Ezra indicated that it was intended to show how the Sabbath differs from other festivals like Passover. On them it is permitted to prepare foods and therefore to light a fire, but on the Sabbath this is prohibited. This had to be made clear from the outset. Others like Ramban indicated that acts, which might make the day more beautiful or comfortable like lighting a fire, were nevertheless prohibited. Both Ramban and Rashbam provided a number of other reasons from Midrashic sources. Benno Jacob in his classic commentary on Exodus cited this prohibition as one connected with the divine act of creation. As fire was part of the gift of light and so was among God’s initial acts of creation, it therefore represents the ultimate and primeval type of work. For this reason it is prohibited on the Sabbath. The last of these reasons sounds more convincing than some of the others. However, ultimately we really do not know why this prohibition was specified nor do we have a reason for the others found in the Torah or the remainder of the Bible. We may, perhaps, best say that the Bible moved slowly toward a system of specific prohibitions. As the Bible is generally not systematic, it was left to the Mishnah and Talmud to carry this to its logical conclusion.November 1987
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.