shabbat 149

writing on the wall isn't a business document.
but that doesn't mean it doesn't have something serious to say.

(the prohibition of using written lists as reminders for guest and food, as may come to erase details. debated if this applies to writing on the wall. the discussion about meals leads to prohibition of using lots to divide portions when eating with non-family members. which leads to a story of Nebuchanezzer, who would use lots to determine which exiled royal leader he would sodomise next. the drawing is from a photo of some graffiti that appeared in Jerusalem around the time of Pride 2008. for english translation of this page, see here)

shabbat shalom from NYC
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shabbat 148

using something that belongs to someone else on shabbat. borrowing or loaning?

what makes it formal? writing it down, or standing up in court?

(the prohibition of commercial activities on shabbat. can borrow something but not take out a loan. defining the difference. for english translation of this talmud page, see here)

apologies for the picture quality, these are photographed rather than scanned. I am in new york for the week, and may have sporadic internet access while I am here. I will still be drawing, just might not be able to upload them everyday.

shabbat 115

 it is better for an amulet to be destroyed in fire than dissolved in water.

(in discussion about rescuing sacred scrolls from a fire on shabbat, the text quotes a baraita that rules that one does not rescue amulets, even those with God's name written on them. This leads to those who write amulets being seen as burners of Torah scrolls. R. Yishmael was informed of someone who was writing amulets, he investigated and the scribe destroyed the amulets in water. actively destroying God's name. for english translation of this talmud page, see here)

shabbat 103

when is writing considered writing and not just mark making?

letters that fade
letter combinations that don't make a word
but what of letters that are easily confused?

and if writing = 2 letters
what if you use 2 letters to form 1 letter?

for english translation of this talmud page, see here