A willful violation of Shabbos is a capital crime. If there are witnesses and warning, the perpetrator would be subject to execution by סקילה, the most severe form of punishment prescribed by the Torah. (I am leaving the word סקילה untranslated because the accepted translation has connotations that are so far from the reality of סקילה that is simply false.) No witnesses, כרת/spiritual excision. If done willfully but without full knowledge of its severity then was brings a sin offering; not cheap, as a full grown cow could set you back a thousand dollars or two.
What kind of violation are we talking about? No one would be surprised that firing up the BBQ or even throwing a nice steak on a hot BBQ are both in that category. No frum/orthodox Jew is going to do that. How about putting a tea bag in a cup and filling the cup from your hot water urn? Yes; same transgression. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 318:4, Mishna Brura sk 39).
I have, on occasion, visited shuls on Shabbos after I have davened k'vasikin. I have never seen in any of those shuls a hot BBQ with plates of raw meat for people to cook themselves a nice steak or hotdog for the kiddush. I have, though, seen urns of hot water, tea bags, and styrofoam cups. What's up with that?
Before you jump on me, here's what the Mishna Brura says:
Regarding tea on Shabbos, it is clear in all the poskim that (putting tea leaves in hot water) can bring one to a prohibition punishable by סקילה if done willfully and a sin offering if done with reckless ignorance (my translation. Therefore one must be very careful, especially in our days of much reckless sinning, many stumble in this and rely on leniencies that have no basis. Therefore I feel compelled to explain the proper procedure, בעזרת השם. (Which he does in one of the longest single entries in the Mishna Brura.)
Honestly, even though I know all this, I still have trouble picturing the trial and execution of even the most flagrant violator. Even someone who did fire up the BBQ and cook himself a steak. But how is it possible that thousands or more of Jews will be standing in that courtroom for having a cup of hot tea?
The haftarah for the last day of Pesach describes the days of the mashiach, may he come soon and in our lifetime. Near the end, Isaiah 11:9: the land will be filled with the knowledge of HaShem, like the water covering the sea. That means that we are now very, very far away from clarity. Here's how I picture it. Imagine being at the Grand Canyon for the first time in your life. You've heard about it and even learned about it, but never even seen a picture. Everything you have heard sounds like a phenomenal exaggeration. And here you are, but it is so foggy that you can't even see your feet. You start walking around. Sometimes you bump into a warning sign, but it's very hard to get very nervous, because of the fog and your lack of experience. Some/many of us would heed the warnings, but some would just feel like the warnings are just way overboard.
Then, in an instant, the fog vanishes. We will all be surprised. Those of us who heeded the signs will be awe struck by the majesty and beauty. Those who didn't ... they may find themselves with one foot half over a ledge that has a several thousand foot drop. Those on or near the edge will be struck with more fear that awe. Those closest to the edge will likely be paralyzed by that fear, afraid to even back away for fear or a misstep.
Learning halacha and heeding the warnings of our sages and rabbis is the best way to prepare for the coming of the mashiach, may he come soon and in our lifetime, and to experience that day with joy and excitement as we see the true majesty and beauty of our world.
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