In the gospel of John, Jesus heals a blind man during the Feast of Tabernacles [Sukkot]. He does it on the Sabbath by spitting in the dirt, making mud and sending the man to the pool of Siloam to wash his eyes. (The pool of Siloam is where the water is taken for rituals pertaining to the Feast of Tabernacles --Jesus interestingly uses this ritual water to heal.) The fact he heals on the Sabbath causes the usual problems. Is such a healing alright on the Sabbath, is it unnecessary work, etc.? Part of the problem centers around whether it is permissible to anoint your eyes on the Sabbath. Jewish belief relates contrary ideas about anointing an eye on the sabbath. My favorite argument is between Rabbi Jehuda and Rabbi Samuel. R. Jehuda said it was permitted to do so; R. Samuel declared it was not, but when his own eyes gave him trouble he asked the former if it was allowable, and Jehuda said it was so for others, but not for him!. Love those rabbis.
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