Shuir: Your Mindset Matters: Kavana in Hilchos Shabbos

What is a Melacha? Does our mindset and intention impact the Melacha? Fundamental questions arise around the philosophy of transgression. Whether you're a beginner looking to develop your learning skills or eager to further your depth of knowledge in Gemora and Rishonim, this week's Shiur will challenge you to rethink conventional borders.   This week, Reb Asaf Aharon Prisman gave a Shiur at Kollel Beis Hillel on Maseches Shabbos, examining what defines a Melacha that is prohibited on Shabbos versus a mundane weekly act.   How integral is our Kavana (intention) to the definition of a prohibited Melacha? We try to define what a Melacha is and what makes the prohibitions unique - actually destroying something rather than creating (Mochek, Soser, Korea, etc'). Understanding these intricate details will help address an incredible question posed by Rabbi Akiva Eiger on the Tosfos.   All this is based on an innocent statement in Gemora Shabbos 73B where Rav Kahana mentions that a person cutting branches is liable for Planning and Zomer, but only if he actually wants the branches for firewood. Tosfos clarifies that this is even in Rav Yehuda's view that any time a person does a dry action resulting in a prohibition, it is always "over" the prohibition no matter the intention.   We will address Rabbi Akiva Eiger's question on the Tosfos, despite it remaining largely unresolved.