Shabbat

He raised an objection: A dish may be overturned above a lamp, that the beams should not catch [fire]? This refers to houses with low ceilings, for it is a common thing for them to catch fire. [He raised a further objection:] And likewise, if a beam is broken, it may be supported by a bench or bed staves? — This refers to new planks, for it is a common thing for them to split. [Another objection:] A utensil may be placed under a leak [in the roof] on the Sabbath? — This refers to new houses, where leaking is common. R. Joseph said: This is R. Hisda's reason, [viz.,] because he deprives the vessel of its readiness [for use].  Abaye objected to him: if a barrel [of tebel] is broken, another vessel may be brought and placed under it? — Tebel is ready [for use] in respect to the Sabbath, replied he, for if he transgresses and prepares it,  it is prepared. [Another objection:] A vessel may be placed under a lamp to catch the sparks? — Said R. Huna son of R. Joshua: Sparks are intangible.  [Another objection:] And likewise, if a beam is broken, it may be supported by a bench or bed-staves?  That means that it is loose,  So that, if he desires, he can remove it. [Another objection:] A vessel may be placed under drippings on the Sabbath? — The reference is to drippings that are fit [for use]. [Another objection:] A basket may be overturned before fledglings, for them to ascend or descend? — He holds that it [the basket] may [still] be moved. But it was taught, It may not be moved? — That is [only] while they [the fledglings] are yet upon it. But it was taught, Though they are not still upon it, it is forbidden? — Said R. Abbahu: That means that they were upon it throughout the period of twilight; since It was forbidden to handle  at twilight, it remains so forbidden for the whole day. R. Isaac said: just as a vessel may not be placed under a fowl to receive her eggs, so may a vessel not be overturned upon it [the egg] that it should not be broken. He holds that a vessel may be handled only for the sake of that which itself may be handled on the Sabbath.  All the foregoing objections were raised;  and he answered, It means that its place is required.  Come and hear: An egg laid on the Sabbath or an egg laid on a Festival may not be moved, neither for covering a vessel  nor for supporting the legs of a bed therewith;  but a vessel may be turned over it, that it [the egg] should not be broken? — Here too it means that its place is required. Come and hear: Mats may be spread over stones on the Sabbath? — The reference is to smoothly rounded stones, which are fit [for use] in a privy. Come and hear: Mats may be spread on the Sabbath upon bricks which were left over from a building? — That is because they are fit for reclining [thereon]. Come and hear: One may spread mats over bee-hives on the Sabbath: in the sun on account of the sun and in the rain on account of the rain, providing he has no intention of capturing [the bees]? — The circumstances are that they contain honey. Said R. 'Ukba of Mesene  to R. Ashi: That is correct of summer,