Sukkah, Daf Nun, Part 4

 

Introduction

Today’s section begins to discuss whether one is allowed to play the flute on Shabbat or on Yom Tov (the first day of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret) in the Temple. As we shall see, there is some debate over which flute is referred to in the baraita.

 

תנו רבנן: החליל דוחה את השבת, דברי רבי יוסי בר יהודה, וחכמים אומרים: אף יום טוב אינו דוחה.

 

Our Rabbis taught: The [playing of the] flute overrides the Shabbat, the words of R. Yose bar Judah. But the Sages say: It does not override even the Festival.

 

According to R. Yose bar Judah one is allowed to play the flute in the Temple on Shabbat and certainly on Yom Tov. But the sages rule much more strictly not only can the flute not be played on Shabbat, but even on Yom Tov it cannot be played.

אמר רב יוסף: מחלוקת בשיר של קרבן, דרבי יוסי סבר: עיקר שירה בכלי, ועבודה היא, ודוחה את השבת. ורבנן סברי: עיקר שירה בפה, ולאו עבודה היא, ואינה דוחה את השבת.

 

R. Yoseph said: The dispute concerns only the song that accompanied the sacrifices, since R. Yose holds that the essential feature of the [Temple] music is with an instrument, so it is considered Temple service and it overrides the Shabbat, whereas the Rabbis hold that the essential feature of the [Temple] music is the singing by voice, so the [playing of the instruments] is not considered Temple service and does not, therefore, override Shabbat.

 

According to R. Yoseph, the tannaim in the above baraita debate the playing of the flute that accompanies regular sacrifices. R. Yose bar Judah who allows this, holds that the main form of music in the Temple was that performed by musical instrument. Therefore, playing the flute overrides the Shabbat.

But the sages hold that the main aspect of music in the Temple was singing by voice. The flute is just for accompaniment. Therefore, it does not override the rules of Shabbat.

 

אבל שיר של שואבה – דברי הכל שמחה היא ואינה דוחה את השבת.

 

But with regard to the singing at the Festival of Water-Drawing, all agree that it is a just an expression of rejoicing and does not, therefore, override the Sabbath.

 

But according to R. Yoseph, all tannaim agree that the flute that is used during the Simhat Bet Hashoevah does not override Shabbat, for it is not really a "mitzvah" or even an aspect of a mitzvah. It is simply an aspect of rejoicing and therefore is not done on Shabbat or Yom Tov.