Shabbat 131: Denouncing Ownership, Mitzvot that Override Shabbat, Fixed Time

The rabbis consider unusual ways of denouncing ownership of homes and courtyards to permit carrying from the private to the public space on Shabbat.  Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yochanan says that actions that help us to perform mitzvot override the laws pertaining to Shabbat.  Perhaps Rabbi Eliezer used the examples of dwelling in a Sukkah, eating matza on Pesach, and blowing the Shofar on Rosh HaShana.  Rav Adda bar Ahava said that attaching ritual fringes and setting a mezuzah on a doorpost do not override Shabbat.  The rabbis consider the factor of "fixed time": if a mitzvah can be done on a day other than Shabbat, it should be done at that time.

We learn that the Master said in a baraita that the mitzva of lulav overrides Shabbat (R. Eliezer).  The rabbis argue about whether we are supposed to perform this mitzvah any time, during the day, and/or during the night.

They continue to debate what is unique about the mitzvot of lulav, matzah, and shofar.  Perhaps it is that these laws apply to women and men equally.  Perhaps these actions are skills and not labours, just like removing the two loaves of bread are skilled actions rather than labour.  

We end our daf with a discussion of the mitzvah of circumcision.  It also overrides Shabbat, as decreed by Rabbi Eliezer.  He puts it together with these other mitzvot, and nots that each of them embodies something significant.  Circumcision need not be completed on the eighth day; it can occur later than that for several reasons.  Tomorrow's daf will continue this conversation.