#halachically problematic

[qaraxuanzenith]

Shapeshifting on Shabbat

The unrivalled @raevenlywrites asked me a very interesting question, so now they get to suffer through any and all notes this generates along with me, by being tagged in this.

The question boiled down to “is shapeshifting allowed on Shabbat,” and I feel like there are a lot of interesting considerations to think about in answering this question. Obviously, this depends on factors which will vary widely depending on how shapeshifting works in a given magic system, but here are my initial thoughts of potential arguments:

One could say that by shapeshifting, you are converting something (yourself) from one form to another, in a manner reminiscent of a melacha, and therefore it shouldn’t be allowed.

On the other hand, you are shifting into your own (other) form, and you had that form already, and the shift is by definition not permanent, therefore it should be no problem.

(Corollory to the above: if the shift is permanent, it is definitely forbidden)

Similarly, if you had that form already, it’s not boneh (and if you can change back, it’s not soter), but if this is your first time ever shapeshifting into it, then there is a strong argument that that first shift is makeh bapatish

Other considerations depending on how “separate” from you your animal form is: are you essentially subordinating a separate animal to take its form? then you’re going against the directive to let your animals rest!

Likewise, if you’re essentially “capturing” a separate animal to take its form, then even if you’re not doing any melacha with its body, you are arguably doing tzad (hunting), so, not allowed

And connected to the above, even if your animal form is absolutely you just in a different shape, if it’s a predator animal, then possibly it’s not allowed because of the risk that you might give in to your instinct to hunt.

And likewise, if your animal form is an animal prone to running fast / across long distances, it may not be allowed due to the risk that you might accidentally travel outside the t’chum

Pack animal? maybe not allowed due to the risk that you might accidentally carry from reshut to reshut outside the eruv

Please chime in! I’m excited to hear other people’s thoughts about the Halachic ramifications of shapeshifting on Shabbat.

[qaraxuanzenith]

I have a question about your The Tyrant's Tomb post. As a fellow Jew, I was curious as to how the whole monotheistic essence of Judaism versus the polytheistic world of the Roman/Greek mythology didn't come up. Like one should die rather than commit idolatry. So even very secular kids know that Jews believe in one God. So I am just curious as to where you are on that. Do you think it is good he didn't mention it or do you think he should have?

YES I strongly agree with your point here! Regardless of Lavinia’s level of Jewish observance/faith/ belief in God or lack thereof, she SHOULD be uncomfortable with the polytheistic world of the Roman demigods! She SHOULD be able to throw in a jab to Apollo that actually, she doesn’t believe he’s a god, because she doesn’t go in for that sort of thing! In my rant I was mostly exploring the Roman aspect of it, but you are absolutely right, I think it’s also vaguely offensive to make a Jewish “demigod” in a polytheistic world without acknowledging the ways in which that clashes with Jewish beliefs.

(and yes, in the hypothetical fanfiction which I have yet to write but very much want to, my Jewish demigod character will have at least an entire chapter entitled something like This Is All Extremely Halachically Problematic)