Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we delve into the essential melachos of kindling (mavir) and extinguishing (mechabeh) on Shabbos. Hashem commanded us to refrain from these creative acts, and the Rambam guides us through the precise definitions of what makes one liable, such as kindling for the sake of producing ash, or for warmth and light, as well as the unique halachic status of heating and cooling iron to strengthen it.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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דִּין הַמַּבְעִיר בְּשַׁבָּת וְהַמְחַמֵּם אֶת הַבַּרְזֶלHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Kindling on Shabbos and Heating Metal to Harden It
הַמַּבְעִירOne who kindlesכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountחַיָּב.is liableוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיְּהֵאprovidedצָרִיךְhe needsלָאֵפֶר.the ashאֲבָלbutאִםifהִבְעִירhe kindledדֶּרֶךְby way ofהַשְׁחָתָהdestructionפָּטוּרhe is exemptמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאhe isמְקַלְקֵל.ruiningוְהַמַּבְעִירAnd one who kindlesגְּדִישׁוֹthe grain stackשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowאוֹorהַשּׂוֹרֵףone who burnsדִּירָתוֹhis dwellingחַיָּבis liableאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאhe isמַשְׁחִית.destroyingמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁכַּוָּנָתוֹhis intention isלְהִנָּקֵםto take revengeמִשּׂוֹנְאוֹon his enemyוַהֲרֵיand beholdנִתְקָרְרָהis cooledדַּעְתּוֹhis mindוְשָׁכְכָהand is quietedחֲמָתוֹhis angerוְנַעֲשָׂהand it is madeכְּקוֹרֵעַlike one who tearsעַלoverמֵתוֹhis deadאוֹorבַּחֲמָתוֹin his angerשֶׁהוּאwhoחַיָּבis liableוּבְחוֹבֵלand like one who injuresבַּחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofמְרִיבָהa quarrelשֶׁכָּלfor allאֵלּוּtheseמְתַקְּנִיםconstructiveהֵןareאֵצֶלregardingיִצְרָןtheir inclinationהָרַע.evilוְכֵןAnd soהַמַּדְלִיקone who lightsאֶת—הַנֵּרthe candleאוֹorאֶת—הָעֵצִיםthe woodבֵּיןwhetherלְהִתְחַמֵּםto warm himselfבֵּיןwhetherלְהָאִירto illuminateהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneחַיָּב.is liableהַמְחַמֵּםOne who heatsאֶת—הַבַּרְזֶלthe ironכְּדֵיin orderלְצָרְפוֹto harden itבְּמַיִםin waterהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמַבְעִירkindlingוְחַיָּב:and is liable
This halacha defines the liability for kindling a fire on Shabbos, distinguishing between constructive and destructive acts, and classifies heating metal to harden it as a derivative of kindling.
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אִסּוּר כִּבּוּי וְהַבְעָרָה בְּשַׁבָּת וְדִינֵי גַּחֶלֶת שֶׁל מַתֶּכֶתHalacha 2 · The Prohibition of Extinguishing and Kindling on Shabbos and the Laws of a Metal Coal
הַמְכַבֶּהOne who extinguishesכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountחַיָּב.is liableאֶחָדwhetherהַמְכַבֶּהone who extinguishesאֶת—הַנֵּרthe candleוְאֶחָדor whetherהַמְכַבֶּהone who extinguishesאֶת—הַגַּחֶלֶתthe coalשֶׁלofעֵץ.woodאֲבָלbutהַמְכַבֶּהone who extinguishesגַּחֶלֶתa coalשֶׁלofמַתֶּכֶתmetalפָּטוּר.is exemptוְאִםand ifנִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendedלְצָרֵףto temperחַיָּב.he is liableשֶׁכֵּןfor soלוֹטְשֵׁיthe polishers ofהַבַּרְזֶלthe ironעוֹשִׂיםdoמְחִמִּיםthey heatאֶת—הַבַּרְזֶלthe ironעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂהit becomesגַּחֶלֶתa coalוּמְכַבִּיןand they extinguishאוֹתוֹitבְּמַיִםin waterכְּדֵיin orderלְחַסְּמוֹ.to harden itוְזֶהוּand this isלְצָרֵףto temperשֶׁהָעוֹשֶׂהwhich one who doesאוֹתוֹitחַיָּבis liableוְהוּאand itתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivative ofמְכַבֶּה.extinguishingוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְכַבּוֹתto extinguishגַּחֶלֶתa coalשֶׁלofמַתֶּכֶתmetalבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִזּוֹקוּwill be injuredבָּהּby itרַבִּים.the publicהַנּוֹתֵןOne who putsשֶׁמֶןoilלְתוֹךְintoהַנֵּרthe lampהַדּוֹלֵקthat is burningחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמַבְעִיר.kindlingוְהַמִּסְתַּפֵּקand one who takesמִןfromהַשֶּׁמֶןthe oilשֶׁבַּנֵּרthat is in the lampחַיָּבis liableמִשּׁוּםbecause ofמְכַבֶּה:extinguishing
This halacha defines the liability for extinguishing wood coals versus metal coals, the process of tempering metal, and the prohibition of adding or removing oil from a burning lamp.
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אִסּוּר כִּבּוּי דְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּת מִפְּנֵי הֶפְסֵד מָמוֹןHalacha 3 · The Prohibition of Extinguishing a Fire on Shabbos to Prevent Monetary Loss
דְּלֵקָהA fireשֶׁנָּפְלָהthat broke outבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosהַמְכַבֶּהone who extinguishesאוֹתָהּitמִפְּנֵיbecause ofאִבּוּדloss ofמָמוֹןmoneyחַיָּבis liableשֶׁאֵיןfor notאִבּוּדloss ofמָמוֹןmoneyדּוֹחֶהsupersedesשַׁבָּתShabbosאֶלָּאbut ratherאִבּוּדloss ofנְפָשׁוֹת.livesלְפִיכָךְthereforeיֵצְאוּshould go outבְּנֵיpeopleאָדָם·כְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיָמוּתוּthey will dieוְיַנִּיחוּand they should leaveהָאֵשׁthe fireתְּלַהֵטto burnוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifשׂוֹרֶפֶתit burnsכָּלall ofדִּירָתוֹhis dwellingכֻּלָּהּ:entirely
This halacha establishes that only saving human lives, and not preventing financial loss, permits the violation of Shabbos by extinguishing a fire.
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הַתָּרַת גְּרַם כִּבּוּי בְּשַׁבָּת עַל יְדֵי מְחִצָּהHalacha 4 · Permissibility of Indirect Extinguishing on Shabbos Using a Barrier
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeמְחִצָּהa barrierבְּכָלwith allהַכֵּלִיםvesselsבֵּיןwhetherמְלֵאִיםfullבֵּיןor whetherרֵיקָנִיםemptyכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notתַּעֲבֹרwill passהַדְּלֵקָה.the fireאֲפִלּוּevenכְּלִיvessels ofחֶרֶשׂearthenwareחֲדָשִׁיםnewמְלֵאִיםfilled withמַיִםwaterעוֹשִׂיןone may makeמֵהֶןfrom themמְחִצָּהa barrierאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁוַּדַּאיsurelyמִתְבַּקְּעִיןthey will burstוּמְכַבִּים.and extinguishשֶׁגְּרַםfor causingכִּבּוּיextinguishingמֻתָּר.is permittedוְכוֹפִיןand one may overturnקְעָרָהa bowlעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהַנֵּרthe candleבִּשְׁבִילin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתֵּאָחֵזit will catchבַּקּוֹרָה:on the beam
This halacha teaches that one may place vessels to block a fire, even if they will break and release water, because causing indirect extinguishing is permitted on Shabbos.
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מְנִיעַת הִתְפַּשְּׁטוּת דְּלֵקָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · Preventing the Spread of a Fire on Shabbos
תֵּבָהA chestשִׁדָּהa carriageוּמִגְדָּלand a cabinetשֶׁאָחַזthat caughtבָּהֶןin themהָאוּרthe fireמֵבִיאone may bringעוֹרthe skin ofגְּדִיa goatוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itמִדְּבָרִיםfrom thingsשֶׁאֵיןthat notהָאוּרthe fireמְלַהֶטֶתsingesאוֹתָןthemוּפוֹרְשׂוֹand spreads itעַלoverהַקָּצֶהthe edgeשֶׁעֲדַיִןthat stillלֹאnotנִשְׂרַףwas burnedכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתַּעֲבֹרwill passשָׁםthereהָאֵשׁ:the fire
One may place a non-flammable cover over unburned parts of a vessel to block an advancing fire on Shabbos.
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הַצָּלַת בְּגָדִים וּסְפָרִים מִדְּלֵקָה וְטִלְטוּל נֵר שֶׁכָּבָהHalacha 6 · Saving Garments and Torah Scrolls from Fire and Moving an Extinguished Candle
טַלִּיתA garmentשֶׁאָחַזthat caughtבָּהּon itהָאוּרthe fireפּוֹשְׁטָהּone may spread it outוּמִתְכַּסֶּהand cover oneselfבָּהּwith itוְאִםand ifכָּבְתָהit is extinguishedכָּבְתָה.it is extinguishedוְכֵןAnd similarlyסֵפֶרa scroll ofתּוֹרָהTorahשֶׁאָחַזthat caughtבּוֹon itהָאוּרthe fireפּוֹשְׁטוֹone may unroll itוְקוֹרֵאand readבּוֹfrom itוְאִםand ifכָּבָהit is extinguishedכָּבָה.it is extinguishedוְנוֹתֵןAnd one may placeמַיִםwaterמִןfromהַצַּדthe sideשֶׁעֲדַיִןthat stillלֹאnotנִתְלָהcaughtבּוֹon itהָאוּרthe fireוְאִםand ifכָּבְתָהit is extinguishedכָּבְתָה.it is extinguishedשָׁכַחIf one forgotנֵרa candleדָּלוּקburningעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofטַבְלָאa boardמְנַעֵרone may shakeאֶת—הַטַּבְלָאthe boardוְהוּאand itנוֹפֵלfallsוְאִםand ifכָּבָהit is extinguishedכָּבָה.it is extinguishedאֲבָלButהִנִּיחוֹif he placed itמִבָּעֶרֶבfrom before eveningאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁכָּבָהit was extinguishedאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְטַלְטְלוֹ:to move it
This halacha discusses indirect ways of extinguishing a fire to save holy books or garments, and the laws of moving a board with a candle on it.
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דִּין כִּבּוּי דְּלֵקָה עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִי וְקָטָןHalacha 7 · Laws of Extinguishing a Fire on Shabbos by a Non-Jew or a Child
נָכְרִיA non-Jewשֶׁבָּאwho comesלְכַבּוֹתto extinguishאֵיןwe do notאוֹמְרִיםsayלוֹto himכַּבֵּהextinguishוְאַלand do notתְּכַבֶּהextinguishמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat notשְׁבִיתָתוֹhis restingעָלֵינוּ.is upon usאֲבָלbutקָטָןa childשֶׁבָּאwho comesלְכַבּוֹתto extinguishאֵיןwe do notשׁוֹמְעִיןlistenלוֹ.to himוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּהְיֶהis that he isעוֹשֶׂהdoingעַלuponדַּעַתthe mind ofאָבִיו.his fatherאֲבָלbutמִדַּעַתfrom the mind ofעַצְמוֹhimselfאֵיןthere is noבֵּיתhouse ofדִּיןjudgmentמְצֻוִּיןcommandedלְהַפְרִישׁוֹ.to separate himוּבִדְלֵקָהand in a fireהִתִּירוּthey permittedלוֹמַרto sayכָּלallהַמְכַבֶּהwho extinguishesאֵינוֹdoes notמַפְסִיד:lose
This halacha discusses the restrictions and permissions regarding a non-Jew or a minor child who comes to extinguish a fire on Shabbos.
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הוֹצָאָה וְהַכְנָסָה מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּת וְהַמַּעֲבִיר אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹתHalacha 8 · Transferring from Domain to Domain and Carrying Four Cubits in the Public Domain
הוֹצָאָהTransferring outוְהַכְנָסָהand transferring inמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainמְלָאכָהa laborמֵאֲבוֹתof the primary categories ofמְלָאכוֹתlaborsהִיא.it isוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁדָּבָרthat this matterזֶהthisעִםwithכָּלallגּוּפֵיthe bodies ofתּוֹרָהTorahמִפִּיfrom the mouth ofמשֶׁהMosheמִסִּינַיfrom Sinaiנֶאֶמְרוּ.were saidהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysבַּתּוֹרָהin the TorahשמותShemosלו36ו6"אִישׁ"manוְאִשָּׁהand womanאַלdo notיַעֲשׂוּlet them doעוֹדany moreמְלָאכָהlaborלִתְרוּמַתfor the donation ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Sanctuaryוַיִּכָּלֵאand was restrainedהָעָםthe peopleמֵהָבִיא".from bringing"הָאbeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁהַהֲבָאָהthat bringingמְלָאכָהlaborקוֹרֵאit callsאוֹתָהּ.itוְכֵןand soלָמְדוּthey learnedמִפִּיfrom the mouth ofהַשְּׁמוּעָהthe traditionשֶׁהַמַּעֲבִירthat one who transfersבִּרְשׁוּתin the public domainהָרַבִּיםthe publicמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheכְּמוֹצִיאis like one who transfers outמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainוְחַיָּב:and is liable
This halacha establishes that transferring objects between domains and carrying four cubits in the public domain are forbidden labors on Shabbos.
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הַגְדָּרַת מְלֶאכֶת מוֹצִיא וּמַעֲבִיר בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 9 · The Definition of the Melacha of Transferring and Carrying on Shabbos
אֵיןNotהַמּוֹצִיאone who transfersמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainחַיָּבis liableעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹצִיאhe transfersכַּשִּׁעוּרlike the measureהַמּוֹעִיל.that is usefulמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe manyאוֹorמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe manyלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהַיָּחִיד.the individualוְיַעֲקֹרand he uprootsמֵרְשׁוּתfrom domainזוֹthisוְיַנִּיחַand he placesבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainשְׁנִיָּה.secondאֲבָלbutאִםifעָקַרhe uprootedוְלֹאand notהִנִּיחַhe placedאוֹorהִנִּיחַhe placedוְלֹאand notעָקַרhe uprootedאוֹorשֶׁהוֹצִיאthat he transferredפָּחוֹתlessמִכַּשִּׁעוּרthan the measureפָּטוּר.is exemptוְכֵןand likewiseהַמַּעֲבִירone who carriesמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe manyאֵינוֹis notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲקֹרhe uprootsכַּשִּׁעוּרthe measureמִצַּדfrom sideזֶהthisוְיַנִּיחֶנּוּand places itמִצַּדon sideאַחֶרֶת:another
This halacha defines the requirements of uprooting and placing down a minimum useful amount to incur liability for transferring between domains on Shabbos.
הל׳ י
דִּין הַזּוֹרֵק וְהַמּוֹשִׁיט מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּת וּבִרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 10 · The Laws of Throwing and Passing Between Domains and in the Public Domain
הַזּוֹרֵקOne who throwsמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainאוֹorהַמּוֹשִׁיטone who passesהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמוֹצִיאof transferringוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַזּוֹרֵקone who throwsאוֹorהַמּוֹשִׁיטone who passesבְּיָדוֹwith his handמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתּוֹלֶדֶתis a derivativeמוֹצִיאof transferringוְחַיָּב.and is liableוְהַזּוֹרֵקAnd one who throwsכִּלְאַחַרin an unusualיָדmannerפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha defines the liability for throwing or passing objects between domains or across four cubits in the public domain as derivatives of the melacha of transferring.
הל׳ יא
הַעֲבָרַת חֵפֶץ בִּשְׁלֵמוּתוֹ וְדִין אֶגֶד כְּלִיHalacha 11 · Transferring an Entire Object and the Status of a Container
הַמּוֹצִיאOne who transfersמִקְצָתpart ofהַחֵפֶץthe objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainמִשְּׁתֵּיof twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsאֵלּוּtheseלִרְשׁוּתto a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondפָּטוּר.is exemptעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹצִיאhe transfersאֶת—כָּלall ofהַחֵפֶץthe objectכֻּלּוֹentirelyמֵרְשׁוּתfrom domainזוֹthisלִרְשׁוּתto domainזוֹ.thisקֻפָּהA basketשֶׁהִיאthat isמְלֵאָהfilled withחֲפָצִיםobjectsאֲפִלּוּevenמְלֵאָהfilled withחַרְדָּלmustardוְהוֹצִיאand he transferredרֻבָּהּmost of itמֵרְשׁוּתfrom domainזוֹthisלִרְשׁוּתto domainזוֹthisפָּטוּרis exemptעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹצִיאhe transfersאֶת—כָּלall ofהַקֻּפָּהthe basketוְכֵןand soכָּלallהַדּוֹמֶהthat is similarלָזֶהto thisשֶׁהַכְּלִיfor the vesselמֵשִׂיםmakesכָּלallשֶׁיֵּשׁthat isבּוֹin itכְּחֵפֶץlike an objectאֶחָד:one
This halacha teaches that one is not liable for transferring an object between domains on Shabbos unless the entire object is moved, and a container unites all its contents into a single entity.
הל׳ יב
דֶּרֶךְ הוֹצָאָה הַחַיֶּבֶת וּמַשָּׂא בְּנֵי קְהָתHalacha 12 · The Liable Manner of Carrying Out and the Burden of the Sons of Kehat
הַמּוֹצִיאOne who carries outבֵּיןwhetherבִּימִינוֹin his right handבֵּיןwhetherבִּשְׂמֹאלוֹin his left handבֵּיןwhetherבְּתוֹךְinsideחֵיקוֹhis bosomאוֹorשֶׁיָּצָאwho went outבְּמָעוֹתwith moneyצְרוּרִיןbound upלוֹfor himבִּסְדִינוֹin his sheetחַיָּבis liableמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוֹצִיאhe carried outכְּדֶרֶךְin the manner ofהַמּוֹצִיאִין.those who carry outוְכֵןAnd likewiseהַמּוֹצִיאone who carries outעַלonכְּתֵפוֹhis shoulderחַיָּבis liableאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהַמַּשּׂאוֹיthe burden isלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֲשָׂרָהtenטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּים.the publicשֶׁכֵּןfor suchהָיָהwasמַשָּׂאthe carrying ofבְּנֵיthe sons ofקְהָתKehatבַּמִּשְׁכָּןin the Mishkanלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֲשָׂרָהtenשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarז7ט9"בַּכָּתֵףon the shoulderיִשָּׂאוּ".they shall carryוְכָלand allהַמְּלָאכוֹתthe melachosמִמִּשְׁכָּןfrom the Mishkanלוֹמְדִיןwe learnאוֹתָן:them
This halacha defines the standard methods of carrying that incur liability on Shabbos, including carrying on the shoulder as derived from the Mishkan.
הל׳ יג
הַמּוֹצִיא כִּלְאַחַר יָד וּבְשִׁנּוּי בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 13 · Carrying Out in an Unusual Manner on Shabbos
אֲבָלButהַמּוֹצִיאone who carries outלְאַחַרon the back ofיָדוֹhis handבְּרַגְלוֹwith his footבְּפִיוin his mouthוּבְמַרְפֵּקוֹand with his elbowבְּאָזְנוֹin his earוּבִשְׂעָרוֹand in his hairוּבְכִיסand in a pocketשֶׁתָּפוּרthat is sewnבְּבִגְדוֹin his garmentוּפִיand the opening ofהַכִּיסthe pocketלְמַטָּהis downwardבֵּיןbetweenבֶּגֶדgarmentלְבֶגֶד,to garmentבְּפִיin the hem ofבִּגְדוֹhis garmentבְּמִנְעָלוֹin his shoeוּבְסַנְדָּלוֹand in his sandalפָּטוּרis exemptשֶׁלֹּאbecause notהוֹצִיאhe carried outכְּדֶרֶךְin the manner ofהַמּוֹצִיאִין:those who carry out
One who carries an object in an abnormal or unusual manner on Shabbos is exempt from a Torah liability.
הל׳ יד
הוֹצָאַת מַשּׂאוֹי עַל הָרֹאשׁ וְהַעֲבָרָה לְמַעְלָה מֵרֹאשׁוֹHalacha 14 · Carrying a Burden on One's Head and Transferring Above Head Height in the Public Domain
הַמּוֹצִיאOne who carries outמַשּׂאוֹיa burdenעַלonרֹאשׁוֹ.his headאִםifהָיָהit wasמַשּׂאוֹיa burdenכָּבֵדheavyכְּגוֹןsuch asשַׂקa sackמָלֵאfullאוֹorתֵּבָהa chestוּמִגְדָּלand a cabinetוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themשֶׁהוּאwhich heמֵשִׂיםplacesעַלonרֹאשׁוֹhis headוְתוֹפֵשׂand holdsבְּיָדוֹwith his handחַיָּב.is liableשֶׁכֵּןsince suchדֶּרֶךְis the way ofהַמּוֹצִיאִיןthose who carry outוְנִמְצָאand he is foundכְּמוֹצִיאlike one who carries outעַלonכְּתֵפוֹhis shoulderאוֹorבְּיָדוֹ.in his handאֲבָלbutאִםifלָקַחhe tookחֵפֶץan objectקַלlightכְּגוֹןsuch asשֶׁהִנִּיחַthat he placedבֶּגֶדa garmentאוֹorסֵפֶרa bookאוֹorסַכִּיןa knifeעַלonרֹאשׁוֹhis headוְהוֹצִיאוֹand carried it outוְהוּאand heאֵינוֹis notאוֹחֵזholdingבְּיָדוֹwith his handהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneפָּטוּרis exemptשֶׁלֹּאbecause notהוֹצִיאdid he carry outכְּדֶרֶךְin the manner ofהַמּוֹצִיאִין.those who carry outשֶׁאֵיןfor it is notדֶּרֶךְthe way ofרֹבmost ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldלְהוֹצִיאto carry outהַחֲפָצִיןobjectsמֻנָּחִיןplacedעַלonרָאשֵׁיהֶם.their headsהַמַּעֲבִירOne who transfersחֵפֶץan objectמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֶעֱבִירוֹhe transferred itלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵרֹאשׁוֹhis headחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha defines the liability for carrying heavy versus light objects on one's head, and clarifies that transferring an object above head height in the public domain still incurs liability.
הל׳ טו
טִלְטוּל בְּאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 15 · Moving Objects Within Four Cubits in the Public Domain
מֻתָּרIt is permissibleלְאָדָםfor a personלְטַלְטֵלto moveבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicבְּתוֹךְwithinאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsעַלbyאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹמֵדis standingבְּצִדָּן.beside themוְיֵשׁand there isלוֹto himלְטַלְטֵלto moveבְּכָלin all ofהַמְרֻבָּעthe squareהַזֶּה.thisוּבְאַמָּהand with the cubitשֶׁלּוֹof his ownמוֹדְדִין.they measureוְאִםand ifהָיָהhe wasנַנָּסa dwarfבְּאֵיבָרָיוin his limbsנוֹתְנִיןthey giveלוֹto himאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsכְּבֵינוֹנִיּוֹתlike the average onesשֶׁלofכָּלeveryאָדָם.manוּמִפִּיand from the mouth ofהַקַּבָּלָהthe traditionאָמְרוּthey saidשֶׁזֶּהthat thisשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhich is saidבַּתּוֹרָהin the TorahשמותShemosטז16כט29"שְׁבוּremainאִישׁeach manתַּחְתָּיו"under himשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְטַלְטֵלhe shall moveחוּץoutsideלִמְרֻבָּעto the squareזֶהthisאֶלָּאexceptבִּמְרֻבָּעin the squareזֶהthisשֶׁהוּאwhich isכְּמִדַּתlike the measure ofאֹרֶךְthe length ofאָדָםa manכְּשֶׁיִּפְשֹׁטwhen he extendsיָדָיוhis handsוְרַגְלָיוand his feetבּוֹin itבִּלְבַדaloneיֵשׁthere isלְטַלְטֵל:to move
This halacha defines the permissible area of four cubits by four cubits within which a person may carry objects in the public domain on Shabbos.
הל׳ טז
טִלְטוּל בְּאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת מְעֹרָבוֹת לִשְׁנַיִם וְלִשְׁלֹשָׁהHalacha 16 · Carrying in Overlapping Four Cubits for Two or Three People
הָיוּIf they wereשְׁנַיִםtwoמִקְצָתa portion ofאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsשֶׁלofזֶהthis oneלְתוֹךְintoאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsשֶׁלofזֶהthis oneמְבִיאִיןthey may bringוְאוֹכְלִיןand eatבָּאֶמְצַע.in the middleוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁלֹּאthat notיוֹצִיאhe brings outזֶהthis oneמִתּוֹךְfrom withinשֶׁלּוֹhis ownלְתוֹךְintoשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹ.his fellowוְאִםAnd ifהָיוּthey wereשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeוְהָאֶמְצָעִיand the middle oneמֻבְלָעis absorbedבֵּינְתַיִם.between themהוּאheמֻתָּרis permittedעִמָּהֶןwith themוְהֵןand theyמֻתָּרִיןare permittedעִמּוֹwith himוּשְׁנַיִםbut the twoהַחִיצוֹנִיםouter onesאֲסוּרִיםare forbiddenזֶהthis oneעִםwithזֶה:this one
This halacha discusses the laws of carrying within overlapping four-cubit domains in a public area.
הל׳ יז
הַעֲבָרַת חֵפֶץ בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים עַל יְדֵי אֲנָשִׁים רַבִּיםHalacha 17 · Transferring an Object in the Public Domain via Multiple People
לְפִיכָךְThereforeמֻתָּרit is permittedלְאָדָםfor a personלַעֲקֹרto lift upחֵפֶץan objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicוְלִתְּנוֹand to give itלַחֲבֵרוֹto his colleagueשֶׁעִמּוֹwho is with himבְּתוֹךְwithinאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹת.cubitsוְכֵןand soחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueלַחֲבֵרוֹto his colleagueהָאַחֵרthe otherשֶׁבְּצִדּוֹwho is at his sideאֲפִלּוּevenהֵןtheyמֵאָה.are a hundredוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהַחֵפֶץthe objectהוֹלֵךְgoesכַּמָּהseveralמִילִיןmilבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמֻתָּר.it is permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneמֵהֶןof themלֹאdid notטִלְטֵלcarryאֶלָּאexceptבְּתוֹךְwithinאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsשֶׁלּוֹ:of his
This halacha explains that carrying an object in the public domain is permitted if each individual moves it only within their own four cubits.
הל׳ יח
מְדִידַת אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים עַל פִּי הָאֲלַכְסוֹןHalacha 18 · Measuring the Four Cubits in the Public Domain Along the Diagonal
הוֹאִילSinceוְיֵשׁand there isלוֹto himלְאָדָםto a personלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכָלin allהַמְרֻבָּעthe squareשֶׁהוּאwhich isאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsעַלbyאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsנִמְצָאit is foundמְטַלְטֵלhe carriesבְּאֹרֶךְin the length ofאֲלַכְסוֹנוֹits diagonalשֶׁלofמְרֻבָּעthisזֶהsquareחָמֵשׁfiveאַמּוֹתcubitsוּשְׁלֹשָׁהand threeחֻמְשֵׁיfifths ofאַמָּה.a cubitלְפִיכָךְthereforeאֵיןis notהַמַּעֲבִירone who transfersאוֹorהַזּוֹרֵקone who throwsבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲבִירhe transfersחוּץoutsideלְחָמֵשׁof fiveאַמּוֹתcubitsוּשְׁלֹשָׁהand threeחֻמְשֵׁיfifths ofאַמָּה.a cubitוְכָלand everyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁאָמַרְנוּthat we saidמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourאוֹorהַמַּעֲבִירone who transfersאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsחַיָּבis liableהוּאitמִתְּחִלַּתis from the beginning ofהָאֲלַכְסוֹןthe diagonalשֶׁלofאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsעַדuntilסוֹפוֹits endוְאִםand ifהֶעֱבִירhe transferredפָּחוֹתlessמִזֶּהthan thisפָּטוּר:he is exempt
This halacha explains that the four cubits permitted for carrying are measured as a square, meaning one is only liable for carrying beyond the diagonal of that square.
הל׳ יט
מִדּוֹת הַמַּעֲבִיר חֵפֶץ בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 19 · The Three Measures of Carrying an Object in the Public Domain
נִמְצָאIt is foundכָּאןhereשָׁלֹשׁthreeמִדּוֹת.measuresכֵּיצַד.how soהָעוֹקֵרone who liftsחֵפֶץan objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicמִמָּקוֹםfrom placeזֶהthisוְהִנִּיחוֹand placed itבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵרotherבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicאִםifהָיָהthere wasבֵּיןbetweenשְׁנֵיthe twoהַמְּקוֹמוֹתthe placesעַדup toאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּר.is permittedהָיָהif there wasבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themיֶתֶרmoreמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹתcubitsוַעֲדַיִןand stillהֵןthey areבְּתוֹךְwithinחָמֵשׁfiveאַמּוֹתcubitsוּשְׁלֹשָׁהand threeחֻמְשֵׁיfifths ofאַמָּהa cubitפָּטוּר.he is exemptהָיָהif there wasבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themחָמֵשׁfiveאַמּוֹתcubitsוּשְׁלֹשָׁהand threeחֻמְשֵׁיfifths ofאַמָּהa cubitבְּשָׁוֶהexactlyהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisחַיָּבone is liableשֶׁהֲרֵיbecause beholdהֶעֱבִירhe transferredהַחֵפֶץthe objectחוּץoutsideלַאֲלַכְסוֹנוֹto the diagonal ofשֶׁלofמְרֻבָּע:a square
This halacha defines the exact distances in the public domain that determine whether carrying an object is permitted, exempt but forbidden, or fully liable.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter outlines the parameters of kindling and extinguishing, explaining that kindling even a small fire is a Torah liability if done for a constructive purpose, such as producing ash, generating warmth, or strengthening iron. Conversely, destructive kindling is exempt, though destructive acts driven by anger or revenge are deemed constructive due to the satisfaction of the yetzer hara. The Rambam details that extinguishing a fire or a wood coal is forbidden, as is adding or removing oil from a burning lamp, while extinguishing glowing metal is generally exempt unless done to harden it. Finally, the halachah establishes that while one may not extinguish a fire to prevent monetary loss, saving human life supersedes all Shabbos prohibitions, and in situations of danger, extinguishing is permitted.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah teaches us that even when a fire breaks out and threatens our hard-earned possessions, we must walk away and let it burn rather than violate the holy Shabbos. This is the ultimate test of bitachon. It is easy to trust Hashem when things are peaceful, but the real avodah is to stand back when our material world seems to be slipping away, knowing with complete emunah that our livelihood comes only from Him and that no loss can touch what He has decreed for us.
Look at how the Rambam describes one who burns his neighbor's property out of anger: even though it is destructive, he is liable because his dark desire for revenge was satisfied. This is a profound lesson in how the yetzer hara operates. The yetzer hara tries to convince us that venting our anger, holding a grudge, or getting even is a constructive act that will make us feel better. In reality, it is nothing but spiritual arson. We must recognize that giving in to anger is never constructive; it only consumes our own neshama.
Today, when you feel the fire of anger or frustration starting to burn inside you, or when you feel the urge to react to a perceived slight, pause for ten seconds. Remind yourself that letting the fire of the yetzer hara burn out on its own, without feeding it, is the ultimate victory of yiras Shamayim.