SCHLACH
06/04/2021 01:24:47 PM
How is it permissible?
"And they came to the Valley of the Cluster of Grapes and they cut down from there a vine with one cluster of grapes and they bore it upon a carrying-pole between two…" (13,23)
On the words "and they bore it upon a carrying-pole between two" our Sages ob'm ask: Why did the Torah write "between two"? If it says they bore it upon a carrying-pole", it's obvious that two people bore it. Our Sages ob'm answer: When the spies explored the Land of Cananan they obviously walked around on Shabbat as well, as it says "the number of the days which you explored the land forty days". The question is to be asked: Let us say that they considered it permissible to walk the forbidden distance between cities at this important time, which is only forbidden by the Oral Law; but how could they allow themselves to carry a load on Shabbat? This is forbidden by the Written Law and it is one of the primary labors forbidden on Shabbat! They answer that "they bore it upon a carrying-pole between two". The Halacha is that if two people carry together they are exempt. In the forbidden labors of Shabbat it is said that one who transgresses is punishable but two who carry together are exempt.
SHABBAT SHALOM!!