Osek b'mitzvah patur min hamitzvah
Encyclopedia
In Judaism
, the concept of exempts one from performing a religious obligation when one is already engaged in another religious obligation.
cites Deuteronomy
,
and infers from the reference to your way that commandments are not obligatory when one is already engaged in heavenly pursuits.
(commandment) but also to those who are busy preparing to perform a mitzvah, with the comment that שלוחי מצוה (shluchei mitzvah, lit. "messengers of a precept") are similarly exempt from performing other religious obligations, such as sitting in a sukkah
.
The Pnei Yehoshua comments that such exemptions are valid only for positive commandments, stating that one thoroughly engaged in a positive precept (such as burying the dead or learning Torah
) would certainly not enable one to violate negative precepts (such as performing adultery or consuming non-kosher food).
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, the concept of exempts one from performing a religious obligation when one is already engaged in another religious obligation.
Source
The TalmudTalmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
cites Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
,
- "...בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ..."
- "...when you sit in your house and when you travel on your way..."
and infers from the reference to your way that commandments are not obligatory when one is already engaged in heavenly pursuits.
Extensions of the rule
The Talmud makes use of a similar concept in reference to those who are not yet actively engaged in a mitzvahMitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
(commandment) but also to those who are busy preparing to perform a mitzvah, with the comment that שלוחי מצוה (shluchei mitzvah, lit. "messengers of a precept") are similarly exempt from performing other religious obligations, such as sitting in a sukkah
Sukkah
A sukkah is a temporary hut constructed for use during the week-long Jewish festival of Sukkot. It is topped with branches and often well decorated with autumnal, harvest or Judaic themes...
.
The Pnei Yehoshua comments that such exemptions are valid only for positive commandments, stating that one thoroughly engaged in a positive precept (such as burying the dead or learning Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
) would certainly not enable one to violate negative precepts (such as performing adultery or consuming non-kosher food).