Shabbat 43: Moving a Corpse on Shabbat

In daf 42, we were introduced to two Mishnayot.  The first instructs us regarding placing spices in a bowl that once contained vinegar or fish brine. The second Mishna discusses items that are muktze, set aside, on Shabbat.  We cannot place a vessel beneath an oil lamp on Shabbat but we may do so on the Friday before Shabbat.  Regardless we cannot use oil on Shabbat if it was not prepared specifically to be used on Shabbat.  

The rabbis ask about several circumstances, including moving items to prepare for a possible fire before Shabbat and preparing tithed produce before Shabbat.  They consider placing a vessel under a ceiling leak on Shabbat if the water is used for drinking.  What about an egg laid on Shabbat or a Festival.  Can we move it for any reason?  One of the more interesting questions involves moving a mat to cover a bee hive.  The purpose must be to save the honey, however.

The Gemara moves into a discussion about moving things with regard to corpses.  If a corpse is laid out in the sun on Shabbat, two people should sit beside it until they feel heat beneath them.  At that point they are permitted to carry beds to sit on.  When they feel heat from above, they may bring mats to cover them; the beds may be stood up and mats may be laid across them so that each person may take breaks.  Another conversation teaches that in the sun, the corpse may be turned over from bed to bed until it reaches the shade.  Alternatively, one may carry the corpse if a loaf of bread or an infant are placed upon the corpse.  Because it is permitted to move food and babies, the corpse is thought of only as a base for those permitted objects.

We are reminded by Rav that moving an object in an atypical manner is considered to be a true act of moving.  Shmuel states that moving an object in an atypical manner is not considered to be moving at all.  Why would the rabbis even consider such examples?  Who would want to eat a loaf of bread that was sitting on a corpse?  Who would put an infant on a corpse when a corpse is a first degree source of ritual impurity?  And how could we disrespect a corpse by treating it with such indifference?  Clearly, this particular conversation is an argument for the sake of argument; an exaggeration.  At least we can hope so.