SATURDAY PRAYER: BINAH -YESHIVAT HAVERIM יְשִׁיבָה חברים – BABYLONIAN TALMUD p129

READING: BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN OF SATURDAY

Another objection was raised from a Mishna farther on: “Forty less one are the principal acts of
labor.” And deliberating for what purpose the number is taught, said R. Johanan: For that, if one
performed them all through forgetfulness, he is liable for each of them. How is such a thing (as
utter forgetfulness) to be imagined? We must assume that although cognizant of the (day being)
Sabbath, one forgot which acts of labor (were prohibited). And this is correct only in accordance
with R. Johanan, who holds: “If one is ignorant of what acts of labor constitute (sin punishable
with) Karath (being ‘cut off’), and commits one of those acts even intentionally, he is bound to
bring a sin-offering only.” And such an instance can be found in case one knows that those acts
of labor were prohibited, at the same time being ignorant of that punishment which is Karath.
But according to R. Simeon b. Lakish, who holds that one must be totally ignorant of both the
punishment of Karath and what acts are prohibited on Sabbath, how can the above case be
found? He was aware that Sabbath must be kept. But what was he aware of in the observance of
Sabbath? He only knew of the law governing the going outside of the boundaries of the city.
But who is the Tana of the following Boraitha? The scriptural passage, “Him that acteth through
ignorance,” refers to one who was ignorant both of the (principle of) Sabbath and the prohibition
of the acts of labor. One who was cognizant of both is referred to by the Scriptures as “the
person that doeth aught with a high hand.” If one, however, was cognizant of the (principle of)
Sabbath, but not of the prohibition of the acts of labor, or vice versa, or even if he knew that the
acts of labor were prohibited, but did not know that they involved culpability requiring a sinoffering
(while he is not the scriptural man “that acteth through ignorance”), still he is culpable
of a transgression requiring a sin-offering? It is Munbaz mentioned above.
R. Huna said: One who has been travelling in a desert and does not know what day is Sabbath,
must count six days from the day (on which he realizes) that he has missed the Sabbath,