Engaged in one precept, exempt from another

Engaged in one precept, exempt from another

The idea that someone who is engaged in the performance of one precept of the Law is exempt from another precept is a concept in rabbinical Judaism. In Hebrew this is rendered עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה, osek b'mitzvah patur min hamitzvah (lit. "engaged in a precept is exempt from a precept). The idea refers to exemption of someone from performing a religious obligation when one is already engaged in another religious obligation.[1][2][3]

Source

The B.Berakhot 11a cites Deuteronomy 6:7:

 :"...בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ..."

"...when you sit in your house and when you travel on your way..."

and infers from the reference to your way that commandments are not obligatory when one is already engaged in heavenly pursuits.[citation needed]

Extensions of the rule

The Talmud makes use of a similar concept in reference to those who are not yet actively engaged in performing a commandment but also to those who are busy preparing to perform a mitzvah,(B.Sukkah 25a) with the comment that שלוחי מצוה (shluchei mitzvah, lit. "messengers of a precept") are similarly exempt from performing other religious obligations, such as sitting in a sukkah.

Jacob Joshua Falk, 1680-1756, comments that such exemptions are valid only for positive commandments, stating that one thoroughly engaged in a positive precept (such as burying the dead or learning Torah) would certainly not enable one to violate negative precepts (such as performing adultery or consuming non-kosher food).

References

  1. ^ Martin Sicker The Moral Maxims of the Sages of Israel: Pirkei Avot Page 83 - 2004 "Indeed, it was for this reason that the sages argued that one who was engaged in the performance of one precept was exempt from performing another at the same time
  2. ^ Moses Maimonides Commentary to Mishnah Aboth 1968 "As a consequence of this principle they said: 10 One who is engaged in a precept is exempt from the [obligation to fulfill some other] precept; [this was taught in order that he proceed] without comparing the precept he is engaged in ...
  3. ^ Gerald Friedlander Laws and customs of Israel: Volume 2; 1916 "One should not perform two precepts simultaneously lest he will not be able to give the necessary attention to both, therefore, one who is engaged in the performance of one precept is exempt (then) from the fulfilment of another.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • MEDICINE AND LAW — This article is arranged according to the following outline: introduction Judicial Decision – A Value Determination the values of a jewish and democratic state in the image of god PHYSICIAN S DUTIES AND PATIENTS RIGHTS the physician and the judge …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • PUBLIC AUTHORITY — PUBLIC AUTHORITY, in the context of this article, a term referring to an authoritative body composed of representatives of the public – whether appointed or elected by the latter – and entrusted with the duty and power to arrange various matters… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • education — /ej oo kay sheuhn/, n. 1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. 2. the act or process of… …   Universalium

  • France — /frans, frahns/; Fr. /frddahonns/, n. 1. Anatole /ann nann tawl /, (Jacques Anatole Thibault), 1844 1924, French novelist and essayist: Nobel prize 1921. 2. a republic in W Europe. 58,470,421; 212,736 sq. mi. (550,985 sq. km). Cap.: Paris. 3.… …   Universalium

  • Religious Life — • Overview and evangelical ideas on what makes up religious life Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Religious Life     Religious Life      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Germany — /jerr meuh nee/, n. a republic in central Europe: after World War II divided into four zones, British, French, U.S., and Soviet, and in 1949 into East Germany and West Germany; East and West Germany were reunited in 1990. 84,068,216; 137,852 sq.… …   Universalium

  • Spain — /spayn/, n. a kingdom in SW Europe. Including the Balearic and Canary islands, 39,244,195; 194,988 sq. mi. (505,019 sq. km). Cap.: Madrid. Spanish, España. * * * Spain Introduction Spain Background: Spain s powerful world empire of the 16th and… …   Universalium

  • Schools — • History and development of education as related to the church Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Schools     Schools     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • biblical literature — Introduction       four bodies of written works: the Old Testament writings according to the Hebrew canon; intertestamental works, including the Old Testament Apocrypha; the New Testament writings; and the New Testament Apocrypha.       The Old… …   Universalium

  • Mexico — • Situated at the extreme point of the North American continent, bounded on the north by the United States, on the east by the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, British Honduras, and Guatemala, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean… …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”