More Discussions for this daf
1. Rebbi Chidka's fourth meals 2. Enosh 3. Three meals on Shabbos saves one from three evils
4. Tardin - and a mistake on the Halachahpage 5. Three Protect From Three 6. Teveryah , Tzipori and Shabbos
7. Shabbos 118a 1L in Point by Point Outlines 8. 14 Meals 9. Chevlei Moshiach
10. אלמלי שמרו ישראל שבת ראשונה
DAF DISCUSSIONS - SHABBOS 118

Sharona asked:

How does this Gemara relate to Enosh nad who is Meichallilo?

Sharona, Teaneck, USA

The Kollel replies:

I am not clear about what you are asking. The Gemara is simply citing a verse in Yeshayah (Isaiah). The Gemara is teaching that "if one observes the Sabbath according to its laws, then even if he has [committed the grave sin of having] served idols like [the people did] in the generation of Enosh, he is forgiven." The Gemara derives this lesson from an exegetical reading of the verse. The verse (Yeshayah 56:2) says, "Praiseworthy is the man who does this and the person who grasps it tightly: who guards the Sabbath from desecrating it, and guards his hand against doing any evil."

The word for man is "Enosh," and the word for "from desecrating it" is "Mechalelo," which can be read "Machol Lo" ("he is forgiven"). Hence, the Gemara derives from this verse that even a person who serves idols like in the generation of Enosh, is forgiven for his sins ("Machol Lo") if he observes the Sabbath properly.

Enosh was the son of Seth, the third son of Adam. It was in the time of Enosh that people began to ascribe power to the luminaries (i.e. idolatry). See Genesis 4:26.

Y. SHAW