Thursday, May 8, 2014

Talmud Bavli Shabbat on the 39 Forbidden Labors and the Construction of the Mishkan

"Rabbi Yosanan ben Achinai, Rabbi Yosanan ben Elazar, and Rabbi Chanina bar Chama sat and pondered the following: Regarding that which we learned in a Mishnah: 'The primary labors (melachot) are forty minus one' ─ to what do they correspond? R. Chanina bar Chama said: 'They correspond to the labors (avodot) of the construction of the Mishkan, [of which there are also thirty-nine]."

-- Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 49b

This passage contains a secret formula. Why are the labors forbidden on Shabbat called "melachot", while the labors in the construction of the Mishkan are called "avodot"?

מלאכות = "melachot"

עבודות = "avodot"

 

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