Shabbat 153 - August 6, 16 Av

Study Guide Shabbat 153

Today's shiur is sponsored by Ronit Shavit in memory of her beloved mother Leah ben Shoshan who dedicated her life to learning Torah and instilling a love of Torah in her children, nieces and students. 

What are indicators that one will receive a share in the world to come? According to Rabbi Eliezer, one should always feel like each day may be the last day of one's life and therefore constantly be involved in repentance. What does one do if one is on the way home carrying one's wallet and other items and Shabbat starts? What is one allowed to do to ensure that one's property gets home safely. There are a list of possibilities that the gemara offers and discusses which is preferable (non-Jew, donkey, imbecile, deaf-mute, minor). Why do the rabbis allow this? There is one option that the rabbis do not reveal as they are concerned that people will make a mistake and carry it in a prohibited manner. Is it a positive thing that the rabbis limit people from doing permitted things in order to protect the Torah or is it not a positive thing as making the laws more stringent may be something that the people cannot handle? What is the issue with not allowing one's donkey to carry on Shabbat in general and what is the punishment one would receive if one works one's donkey on Shabbat?