Study Shabbat folio 123A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Using an object whose primary function is for a prohibited use, for the purpose of utilizing the object itself to perform a permitted action, is permitted.
Abaye raised an objection to the opinion of Rabba from the Tosefta: A mortar, if it still has garlic in it, one may move it on Shabbat, and if not, one may not move it. Apparently, under no circumstances may a mortar be used, even for an action that is generally permitted on Shabbat, because the mo
Rabba said to him: In accordance with whose opinion is this baraita? It is the opinion of R' Neḥemya, who says: A vessel may not be moved on Shabbat except for the purpose of its designated use.
Abaye raised another objection to Rabba’s opinion. We learned in a Mishnah that Beit Shammai say: One may not take a large pestle from a mortar, which is typically used for a prohibited action, in order to cut meat on it for the purpose of a Festival. And Beit Hillel permit doing so due to the mitzv
Initially, Rabba thought to respond to Abaye’s objection by saying that this Mishnah, too, is in accordance with the opinion of R' Neḥemya, that a vessel may only be moved on Shabbat for the purpose of its designated use. However, he changed his mind once he heard that which Rav Ḥinana bar Shelemya