Kindling A Fire

There is some questioning as to the reason why the Melacha of kindling a fire, was written separately from the other thirty-eight constructive acts that were forbidden on Shabbat.

It seems that it was almost prophetic as to why kindling a fire was taught separately in the Torah. Perhaps Hashem foresaw that there might be some misunderstanding in interpreting this law.

This began to be a bigger issue with the discovery of electricity. It continues to be an area needing clarification in our technological world where e-mails and texting has become part of our every day life.

The debate centers around the question as to whether the use of electricity or our cel-phones constitutes an aspect of “kindling a fire,” on our holiest day of the week.

The accepted opinion of our credible modern day rabbinic authorities is that it is absolutely forbidden and this prohibition would be a Torah prohibition, that carries with it severe consequences.

My approach in trying to give a reasonable explanation, has to do with a second aspect of Shabbat. The first aspect would be that we define all prohibitions under the heading of “the thirty-nine Melachot” if Shabbat.

The second aspect of Shabbat comes from the Prophet Isaiah who tells us how to make the Sabbath day, “Oneg,” or a delight.

Our whole demeanor on this day is meant to be different from the other days of the week. Our speech is different as is the way we walk, and carry ourselves. A verbal business transaction is not a Melacha, but it is not in the spirit spoken of by Isaiah.

This also explains why the Rabbis coined the phrase, עובדא דחול, that it is a daily activity. We are to cherish this special gift of Shabbat. We need to make this day special. Refraining from the use of our computers, cel-phones, and electricity, adds to the holiness of the day. Using these things diminishes this holiness.

We see the wisdom of the Torah in singling out the kindling of a fire. Hashem understood that this would one day need clarification. That one day, is now!