Monday, December 31, 2012

Shabbos 75a - When An Aveira Looks Like A Mitzva

The gemara asks שוחט משום מאי מחייב? Why is one חייב on Shabbos if he slaughters an animal?

The gemara answers "משום צובע" - Because of coloring [the gushing blood colors the flesh around the incision. Because of צובע it is also forbidden to apply makeup on Shabbos. So it emerges that according to this opinion in the gemara, putting on makeup and shechting are the same aveira on Shabbos. How interesting:)].

The Heilige Besht [בעל שם טוב עה"ת עמ' צד] understood this gemara as alluding to something deeper: The שוחט is the yetzer hara who shechts the whole world when causing them to sin [see Tosfos who explains שוחט דעלמא -  if you understand the poshut pshat in Tosfos you will appreciate that the Besht has a very original understanding of the words שוחט דעלמא]. Why is he חייב? Why is he punished at the end of days? He was just doing his job??

The gemara answers.... משום צובע. For coloring. Brits? Colouring. Same thing!

He colored the aveiros to make them look so appealing. He colored the aveiros to make them look like mitzvos!!!!! That was beyond the call of duty and hence his punishment.

Noira noiraos!!