Shabbat 123b
שבת קכ״ג ב — ד"ה אֲמַר אַבָּיֵי
Shabbat 123b:10
The sugya analyzes the enactment concerning kelim and the permitted movement of utensils on Shabbat, distinguishing different purposes and circumstances of moving them.
אֲמַר אַבָּיֵי: הִתִּירוּ דָּבָר שֶׁמְּלַאכְתּוֹ לְהֶיתֵּר לְצוֹרֶךְ גּוּפוֹ, וְחָזְרוּ וְהִתִּירוּ דָּבָר שֶׁמְּלַאכְתּוֹ לְהֶיתֵּר לְצוֹרֶךְ מְקוֹמוֹ, וְחָזְרוּ וְהִתִּירוּ דָּבָר שֶׁמְּלַאכְתּוֹ לְאִיסּוּר, לְצוֹרֶךְ גּוּפוֹ — אִין, לְצוֹרֶךְ מְקוֹמוֹ — לָא. וַעֲדַיִין בְּיָדוֹ אַחַת — אִין, בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדָיו — לָא, עַד שֶׁאָמְרוּ: כׇּל הַכֵּלִים נִיטָּלִין בַּשַּׁבָּת, וַאֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: מִכְּדֵי ״הִתִּירוּ״ קָתָנֵי, מַה לִּי לְצוֹרֶךְ גּוּפוֹ, מַה לִּי לְצוֹרֶךְ מְקוֹמוֹ? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: הִתִּירוּ דָּבָר שֶׁמְּלַאכְתּוֹ לְהֶיתֵּר בֵּין לְצוֹרֶךְ גּוּפוֹ וּבֵין לְצוֹרֶךְ מְקוֹמוֹ, וְחָזְרוּ וְהִתִּירוּ מֵחַמָּה לַצֵּל. וְחָזְרוּ וְהִתִּירוּ דָּבָר שֶׁמְּלַאכְתּוֹ לְאִיסּוּר, לְצוֹרֶךְ גּוּפוֹ וּלְצוֹרֶךְ מְקוֹמוֹ — אִין, מֵחַמָּה לַצֵּל — לָא. וַעֲדַיִין, בְּאָדָם אֶחָד — אִין, בִּשְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם — לָא, עַד שֶׁאָמְרוּ: כׇּל הַכֵּלִים נִיטָּלִין בַּשַּׁבָּת, אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם.
Abaye says: Initially, they permitted moving an object whose primary function is for a permitted use, for the purpose of utilizing the object itself to perform a permitted action. And then they permitted moving an object whose primary function is for a permitted use, for the purpose of sitting in or utilizing its place. And then they permitted moving an object whose primary function is for a prohibited use, for the purpose of utilizing the object itself to perform a permitted action, yes; however, for the purpose of utilizing its place, no. And still, utensils that can be held in one of his hands, yes, they may be moved; however, utensils that can only be held in his two hands, no, they may not be moved, in order to signify that there is a prohibition to move certain items. This prohibition remained intact until they said: All utensils may be moved on Shabbat, and even those that can only be held in both hands. Rava said to him: After all, it was taught in the Tosefta: They permitted, what difference is there to me if it is for the purpose of utilizing the object itself, and what difference is there to me if it is for the purpose of utilizing its place; why introduce distinctions that are not explicitly stated in the Tosefta? Rather, Rava said that it should be explained as follows: Initially, they permitted moving an object whose primary function is for a permitted use, both for the purpose of utilizing the object itself and for the purpose of sitting in or utilizing its place. And then they permitted moving that object from the sun into the shade. And then they permitted moving an object whose primary function is for a prohibited use, both for the purpose of utilizing the object itself and for the purpose of sitting in or utilizing its place, yes; however, moving that object from the sun into the shade, no, they did not permit it. And still, utensils that can be carried by one person, yes, they may be moved; however, utensils that can only be carried by two people, no, they may not be moved. This prohibition remained intact until they said: All utensils may be moved on Shabbat, and even those that can only be carried by two people.


