Hello Rabbi,

First of all I want to tell you that I am sorry for your loss. May the memory of your father and his Torah continue to be a blessing.

I want to ask you a couple of questions about Shabbat observance and it’s limits:

1. What is the Torah level observance of the Shabbat? In the Mishneh Torah Chapter 1:1 the Rambam mentions that refraining of doing the 39 Avot Melachot (and by consequence the toldot) you fulfill the positive commandment of “resting on the seventh day” and the negative commandment of “do not perform any labor”. It seems to me that avoiding the Melachot and the derivatives fulfills the Torah level observance of Shabbat, but, in Mishneh Torah Chapter 21:1 the Rambam seems to imply that the Rabbinical fences (Shvut) are essential to fulfil at least the positive commandment of ceasing activity. I am not saying that the Shvut are not important nor endorsing to disregard the Rabbinical enactments but I do believe that in order to grow in Torah we need priorities and at least understand the Torah level fulfilment of the Mitzvot and the Rabbinic side, if not it gets complicated when you are not still there. So, the failing of complying with any of the shvut, due to weakness, desire, negligence, etc. is automatically a failure in the Torah level observance of Shabbat even if you don’t do any of the Melachot?
2. The Melachot of Dash, Zorer, Borer, Meraked and Me’ammer really apply to non-food items or just to food and items which grow from the ground? I read from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that the second one is correct.