Chapter 29
Laws Derived from Isaiah: Running, Walking, Commerce, Measuring, Reading, Speaking
SCRIPTURAL SOURCE OF THE PROHIBITIONS
2.a. The above verses have been expounded by the Rabbis in the following manner.
interpreta
1) “Call Shabbath a joy”-there is a positive commandment to enjoy the Shabbath, to sanctify
it and to honor it
2) “(Call) God’s sanctified day] honored”-just as there is a commandment to honor and enjoy Shabbath, so is there a commandment to honor and enjoy Yom Tov.
3) “(Call) God’s sanctified (day) honored”-on You Kippur, since one cannot honor the day with food and drink, one is commanded to honor it by wearing clean clothes, spreading a cloth on the table and kindling lights in the synagogue and the house of learning.
4) “And respect it by not following your (usuall) ways”-your manner of walking on Shabbah should not be the same as on other days of the week.*
5) “And respect it by not following your (usual) ways” -your ways are forbidden, but the ways of Heaven are permitted.
6) “And respect it by not following your (usual) ways by not pursuing your business”-you should not make your way on Shabbath to a place where you will pursue your business.
7) “Not pursuing your business”-your business is forbidden; a person should not pursue his everyday affairs on Shabbath.
8) “Not pursuing your business”-your business is forbidden, but the business of Heaven is permitted.
9) “And (by not) speaking about (forbidden) matters your conversation on Shabbath should not be the same as on other days of the week.
10) “And (by not) speaking about (forbidden) matters”-speech about forbidden matters is prohibited, whereas thought is permitted.
2.b. 1) The laws flowing from the first three interpretations above are dealt with in detail in later chapters.
2) The laws flowing from the last seven interpretations above are dealt with in detail in the following paragraphs of this chapter.
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*Another interpretation will be mentioned in Chapter 42 paragraph 56.
