Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we continue our deep dive into the melacha of Hotza'ah (carrying on Shabbos), focusing on the essential requirements of Akirah (lifting up) and Hanachah (placing down). Hashem's Torah requires that for a person to be liable for carrying, the object must be lifted from a place of significant size—at least four by four handbreadths—and placed down on a similar area. We will learn how a person's hand, and even their mouth under certain conditions, can halachically function as such a place.
We will also explore the halachic status of liquids and floating objects, such as water in a pit or oil floating on water, and how they are treated regarding these laws. Additionally, we will learn the classic cases of two people performing a melacha together—where one does the Akirah and the other does the Hanachah—and why this exempts them from a Torah prohibition, as the Torah requires a single person to complete the entire melacha.
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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עֲקִירָה וַהֲנָחָה בְּמָקוֹם חָשׁוּב בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Requirement of Lifting and Placing on an Area of Four by Four Handbreadths
אֵיןNotהַמּוֹצִיאone who transfersמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainאוֹorהַמַּעֲבִירone who carriesבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsחַיָּבis liableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲקֹרhe liftsחֵפֶץan objectמֵעַלfromגַּבֵּיuponמָקוֹםa placeשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsעַלbyאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsאוֹorיָתֵרmoreוְיַנִּיחַand placesעַלuponגַּבֵּי·מָקוֹםa placeשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itאַרְבָּעָהfourעַלbyאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִים:handbreadths
This halacha establishes that one is only liable for carrying on Shabbos if the object is lifted from and placed upon an area of significant size.
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מַעֲמַד יַד אָדָם כְּמָקוֹם אַרְבָּעָה עַל אַרְבָּעָה בְּהִלְכוֹת שַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · The Status of a Person's Hand as a Place of Four by Four Handbreadths on Shabbos
יָדוֹThe handשֶׁלofאָדָםa personחֲשׁוּבָהis consideredלוֹto himכְּאַרְבָּעָהlike fourעַלbyאַרְבָּעָה.fourלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifעָקַרhe removedהַחֵפֶץthe objectמִיַּדfrom the hand ofאָדָםa personהָעוֹמֵדwho is standingבִּרְשׁוּתin domainזוֹthisוְהִנִּיחוֹand placed itבְּיַדin the hand ofאָדָםa personאַחֵרanotherהָעוֹמֵדwho is standingבִּרְשׁוּתin domainשְׁנִיָּהa secondחַיָּב.he is liableוְכֵןand so tooאִםifהָיָהhe wasעוֹמֵדstandingבְּאַחַתin oneמִשְּׁתֵּיof twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsאֵלּוּtheseוּפָשַׁטand he stretchedיָדוֹhis handלִרְשׁוּתinto domainשְׁנִיָּהa secondוְעָקַרand removedהַחֵפֶץthe objectמִמֶּנָּהfrom itאוֹorמִיַּדfrom the hand ofאָדָםa personהָעוֹמֵדwho is standingבָּהּin itוְהֶחֱזִירand returnedיָדוֹhis handאֵלָיוto himselfחַיָּב.he is liableוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notהִנִּיחַhe placedהַחֵפֶץthe objectבְּמָקוֹםin the placeשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹמֵדis standingבּוֹin itהוֹאִילsinceוְהוּאand itבְּיָדוֹis in his handהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּמֻנָּחis like placedבָּאָרֶץ:on the ground
This halacha establishes that a person's hand is legally considered a significant area of four by four handbreadths, meaning that placing an object in someone's hand is equivalent to placing it on the ground.
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הַמּוֹצִיא מַאֲכָל בְּפִיו וְהַמַּשְׁתִּין מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּתHalacha 3 · Carrying Food in One's Mouth and Urinating or Spitting Between Domains
הָיָהWasאוֹכֵלeatingוְיוֹצֵאand going outמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainוְחִשֵּׁבand he intendedלְהוֹצִיאto carry outהָאוֹכֵלthe foodשֶׁבְּפִיוthat is in his mouthמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainחַיָּב.he is liableמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁמַּחֲשַׁבְתּוֹhis intentionמְשִׂימָהmakesפִּיוhis mouthמְקוֹםa place ofאַרְבָּעָהfourאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notהוֹצִיאhe carried outכְּדֶרֶךְlike the way ofהַמּוֹצִיאִין.those who carry outוְכֵןAnd likewiseמִיoneשֶׁהָיָהwho wasעוֹמֵדstandingבְּאַחַתin oneמִשְּׁתֵּיof twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsאֵלּוּtheseוְהִשְׁתִּיןand urinatedמַיִםwaterאוֹorרָקַקspatבִּרְשׁוּתinto a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondחַיָּבhe is liableשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdעָקַרhe uprootedמֵרְשׁוּתfrom domainזוֹthisוְהִנִּיחַand placedבִּרְשׁוּתin a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondוּמַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹand his intentionעוֹשָׂהmakesאוֹתוֹitכְּאִלּוּas ifעָקַרhe uprootedמֵעַלfrom uponגַּבֵּיthe back ofמְקוֹםa place ofאַרְבָּעָה.fourהָיָהIf he wasעוֹמֵדstandingבִּרְשׁוּתin domainזוֹthisוּפִיand the opening ofאַמָּהthe penisבִּרְשׁוּתwas in a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondוְהִשְׁתִּיןand he urinatedבָּהּin itפָּטוּר:he is exempt
This halacha discusses how a person's intent can render his mouth or body as a significant place of four handbreadths for the laws of carrying on Shabbos.
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הוֹצָאַת מַיִם וּפֵרוֹת הַצָּפִים עַל גַּבֵּי מַיִם בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 4 · Transferring Water and Floating Fruits Between Domains on Shabbos
הָיָהIf he wasעוֹמֵדstandingבְּאַחַתin oneמִשְּׁתֵּיof twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsוּפָשַׁטand he extendedיָדוֹhis handלִרְשׁוּתinto a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondוְנָטַלand he tookמִשָּׁםfrom thereמַיִםwaterמֵעַלfromגַּבֵּיuponגּוּמָאa pitמְלֵאָהfull ofמַיִםwaterוְהוֹצִיאָןand brought them outחַיָּב.he is liableשֶׁהַמַּיִםbecause the waterכֻּלָּןall of itכְּאִלּוּis as ifהֵןitמֻנָּחִיןis restingעַלonהָאָרֶץ.the groundאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהthere wasכְּלִיa vesselצָףfloatingעַלonגַּבֵּיuponמַיִםwaterוּפֵרוֹתand fruitsבְּתוֹךְinsideהַכְּלִיthe vesselוּפָשַׁטand he extendedיָדוֹhis handוְלָקַחand tookמִןfromהַפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsוְהוֹצִיאand brought outפָּטוּר.he is exemptשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceלֹאnotנָחוּdid restהַפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsעַלonגַּבֵּיuponהָאָרֶץthe groundוְנִמְצָאand it turns outשֶׁלֹּאthat notעָקַרdid he uprootמֵעַלfromגַּבֵּיuponמְקוֹםa place ofאַרְבָּעָה.fourוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayאִםifהָיוּwereהַפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsצָפִיןfloatingעַלonפְּנֵיthe surface ofהַמַּיִםthe waterוְהוֹצִיאָםand he brought them outשֶׁהוּאthat heפָּטוּר.is exemptוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifהָיָהthere wasשֶׁמֶןoilצָףfloatingעַלonפְּנֵיthe surface ofהַמַּיִםthe waterוְקָלַטand he scooped upמִןfromהַשֶּׁמֶןthe oilוְהוֹצִיאוֹand brought it outפָּטוּר:he is exempt
This halacha defines the status of resting on the ground regarding liquids and floating objects when transferring them between domains on Shabbos.
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הַעֲבָרָה מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּת עַל יְדֵי שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָםHalacha 5 · Transferring Between Domains by Two People Jointly
כְּבָרAlreadyאָמַרְנוּwe saidשֶׁאֵיןthat notהַמּוֹצִיאthe one who transfersמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainחַיָּבis liableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲקֹרthat he removesוְיַנִּיחַ.and places downאֲבָלbutאִםifעָקַרhe removedוְלֹאand notהִנִּיחַplaced downאוֹorהִנִּיחַplaced downוְלֹאand notעָקַרremovedפָּטוּר.he is exemptלְפִיכָךְThereforeמִיoneשֶׁהָיָהwho wasעוֹמֵדstandingבְּאַחַתin oneמִשְּׁתֵּיof twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsוּפָשַׁטand extendedיָדוֹhis handלִרְשׁוּתto a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondוְחֵפֶץand an objectבְּיָדוֹin his handוּנְטָלוֹand took itאַחֵרanotherמִמֶּנּוּfrom himאוֹorשֶׁנָּתַןthat gaveאַחֵרanotherלְיָדוֹinto his handחֵפֶץan objectוְהֶחֱזִירand he returnedיָדוֹhis handאֵלָיוto himselfשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themפְּטוּרִיםare exemptשֶׁזֶּהfor this oneעָקַרremovedוְזֶהand this oneהִנִּיחַ:placed down
This halacha explains that a person is only liable for transferring an object on Shabbos if they perform both the removal and the placing down of the object.
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הַנָּחַת חֵפֶץ בְּתוֹךְ שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים לָאָרֶץHalacha 6 · Placing an Object Within Three Handbreadths of the Ground on Shabbos
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidכְּשֶׁהָיְתָהwhen wasיָדוֹhis handלְמַעְלָהaboveמִשְּׁלֹשָׁה.from threeאֲבָלbutהָיְתָהwasיָדוֹhis handבְּתוֹךְwithinשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeסָמוּךְcloseלָאָרֶץto the groundהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisכְּמִיis like oneשֶׁהִנִּיחַwho placedבָּאָרֶץon the groundוְחַיָּב:and is liable
This halacha explains that holding an object within three handbreadths of the ground is halachically equivalent to placing it on the ground due to the principle of lavud.
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הַמּוֹשִׁיט חֵפֶץ מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּת בְּיַד חֲבֵרוֹ הָעוֹמֵדHalacha 7 · One Who Extends an Object into the Hand of a Standing Colleague
הָיָהwasעוֹמֵדstandingבְּאַחַתin oneמִשְּׁתֵּיof the twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsאֵלּוּtheseוּפָשַׁטand extendedחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueיָדa handמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondוְנָטַלand tookחֵפֶץan objectמִיַּדfrom the hand ofזֶהthisהָעוֹמֵדwho is standingבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainזוֹthisוְהִכְנִיסוֹand brought it inאֶצְלוֹto himאוֹorשֶׁהוֹצִיאthat he took outחֵפֶץan objectמֵאֶצְלוֹfrom himוְהִנִּיחַand placedבְּיַדin the hand ofזֶהthisהָעוֹמֵד.who is standingזֶהthisהָעוֹמֵדwho is standingלֹאnotעָשָׂהdidכְּלוּםanythingשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueנָתַןplacedבְּיָדוֹin his handאוֹorנָטַלtookמִיָּדוֹfrom his handוַחֲבֵרוֹand his colleagueחַיָּבis liableשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdעָקַרhe uprootedוְהִנִּיחַ:and placed
This halacha discusses the liability of a standing person who remains passive while a colleague performs the acts of uprooting and placing.
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עֲקִירַת וְהַנָּחַת גּוּפוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם בְּהוֹצָאָהHalacha 8 · Uprooting and Placing of a Person's Body in Carrying on Shabbos
הָיָהWasעוֹמֵדstandingבְּאַחַתin oneמִשְּׁתֵּיof the twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsאֵלּוּtheseוְנָתַןand gaveחֲבֵרוֹhis colleagueחֵפֶץan objectבְּיָדוֹinto his handאוֹorעַלuponגַּבָּיוhis backוְיָצָאand he went outבְּאוֹתוֹwith thatהַחֵפֶץobjectלִרְשׁוּתto a domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondוְעָמַדand stoodשָׁםthereחַיָּב.he is liableמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁעֲקִירַתthat the uprooting ofגּוּפוֹhis bodyבַּחֵפֶץwith the objectשֶׁעָלָיוthat is upon himכַּעֲקִירַתis like the uprooting ofחֵפֶץan objectמֵאוֹתָהּfrom thatרְשׁוּתdomainוַעֲמִידָתוֹand his standingבְּאוֹתוֹwith thatהַחֵפֶץobjectכְּהַנָּחַתis like the placing ofהַחֵפֶץthe objectבַּקַּרְקַעon the groundשֶׁעָמַדthat he stoodבָּהּ.on itלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifיָצָאhe went outבַּחֵפֶץwith the objectשֶׁבְּיָדוֹthat is in his handאוֹorעַלuponגַּבָּיוhis backוְלֹאand did notעָמַדstandבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondאֶלָּאbutחָזַרreturnedוְנִכְנַסand enteredוְהוּאwhile itבְּיָדוֹwas in his handאֲפִלּוּeven ifיָצָאhe went outוְנִכְנַסand enteredכָּלall ofהַיּוֹםthe dayכֻּלּוֹentirelyעַדuntilשֶׁיָּצָאdepartedהַיּוֹםthe dayפָּטוּר.he is exemptלְפִיbecauseשֶׁעָקַרthat he uprootedוְלֹאbut did notהִנִּיחַ.place downוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifעָמַדhe stoodלְתַקֵּןto adjustהַמַּשּׂאוֹיthe burdenשֶׁעָלָיוthat is upon himעֲדַיִןstillהוּאheפָּטוּרis exemptעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדthat he standsלָנוּחַ:to rest
This halacha explains that a person's physical movement acts as the uprooting and placing of the object they carry, provided they stand still to rest.
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דִּין הַמּוֹלִיךְ חֲבִילָה בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת וְקִדֵּשׁ עָלָיו הַיּוֹםHalacha 9 · The Law of One Carrying a Package on Erev Shabbos When the Day Sanctifies
וְכֵןAnd soמִיoneשֶׁהָיְתָהwho hadחֲבִילָתוֹhis packageעַלonכְּתֵפוֹhis shoulderוְרָץand ranבָּהּwith itאֲפִלּוּevenכָּלallהַיּוֹםthe dayאֵינוֹis notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲמֹד.he standsוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּהְיֶהis providedרָץhe runsבָּהּ.with itאֲבָלbutאִםifהָלַךְhe walkedמְעַטlittleמְעַטby littleהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisכְּעוֹקֵרis like uprootingוּמַנִּיחַand placing downוְאָסוּר.and is forbiddenלְפִיכָךְthereforeמִיoneשֶׁקָּדַשׁupon whom sanctifiedעָלָיו·הַיּוֹםthe dayוַחֲבִילָתוֹand his packageעַלis onכְּתֵפוֹhis shoulderרָץrunsבָּהּwith itעַדuntilשֶׁיַּגִּיעַhe reachesלְבֵיתוֹhis houseוְזוֹרְקָהּand throws itשָׁםthereכִּלְאַחַרin an unusualיָד:manner
This halacha explains that running with a burden prevents a formal resting of the object, allowing one to reach home in an emergency without committing a Torah violation.
הל׳ י
הַמַּעֲבִיר חֵפֶץ פָּחוֹת פָּחוֹת מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 10 · Carrying an Object Less Than Four Cubits at a Time in the Public Domain
עָקַרHe liftedהַחֵפֶץthe objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוְהָלַךְand walkedבּוֹwith itפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹתcubitsוְעָמַדand stoodוְחָזַרand repeatedוְהָלַךְand walkedפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹתcubitsוְעָמַדand stoodאֲפִלּוּevenכָּלall ofהַיּוֹםthe dayכֻּלּוֹentirelyפָּטוּר.he is exemptבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare these saidבְּשֶׁעָמַדwhen he stoodלָנוּחַ.to restאֲבָלbutאִםifעָמַדhe stoodלְתַקֵּןto adjustמַשָּׂאוֹhis loadהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisכִּמְהַלֵּךְis like one walkingוּכְשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדand when he standsחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsחַיָּב.he is liableוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדthat he standsחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsלָנוּחַ.to restאֲבָלbutאִםifיַעֲמֹדhe standsלְתַקֵּןto adjustמַשָּׂאוֹhis loadעֲדַיִןstillהוּאheכִּמְהַלֵּךְis like one walkingוְאֵינוֹand he is notחַיָּבliableעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדhe standsלָנוּחַto restחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹת:cubits
This halacha discusses the exemption for carrying an object in the public domain in increments of less than four cubits, provided that each stop is made for the purpose of resting.
הל׳ יא
הַעֲבָרַת חֵפֶץ עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 11 · Moving an Object Along the Ground in a Public Domain
הָיָהIf there wasקָנֶהa poleאוֹorרֹמַחa spearוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבּוֹto itמֻנָּחlyingעַלonהָאָרֶץthe groundוְהִגְבִּיהַּand he liftedהַקָּצֶהthe endהָאֶחָדoneוְהָיָהand wasהַקָּצֶהthe endהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondמֻנָּחlyingבָּאָרֶץon the groundוְהִשְׁלִיכוֹand he cast itלְפָנָיוbefore himוְחָזַרand he returnedוְהִגְבִּיהַּand liftedהַקָּצֶהthe endהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondשֶׁהָיָהthat wasמֻנָּחlyingבָּאָרֶץon the groundוְהִשְׁלִיכוֹand he cast itלְפָנָיוbefore himעַלonדֶּרֶךְwayזוֹthisעַדuntilשֶׁהֶעֱבִירthat he movedהַחֵפֶץthe objectכַּמָּהseveralמִילִיןmilפָּטוּר.he is exemptלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notעָקַרhe liftedהַחֵפֶץthe objectכֻּלּוֹall of itמֵעַלfromגַּבֵּיuponהָאָרֶץ.the groundוְאִםbut ifמָשַׁךְhe pulledהַחֵפֶץthe objectוּגְרָרוֹand dragged itעַלonהָאָרֶץthe groundמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourחַיָּבhe is liableשֶׁהַמְגַלְגֵּלfor one who rollsעוֹקֵרliftsהוּא:he is
This halacha explains the definition of lifting and carrying when an object is partially resting on the ground.
הל׳ יב
עֲקִירָה וְהַנָּחָה שֶׁלֹּא בְּכַוָּנָה אַחַתHalacha 12 · Removal and Placement Performed Without a Single Intent
עָקַרone removedהַחֵפֶץthe objectמִזָּוִיתfrom cornerזוֹthisלְהַנִּיחוֹto place itבְּזָוִיתin cornerאַחֶרֶתanotherשֶׁנִּמְצֵאתso that it turns outזוֹthisהָעֲקִירָהthe removalעֲקִירָהa removalהַמֻּתֶּרֶתpermittedוְנִמְלַךְand he changed his mindבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayוְהוֹצִיאוֹand took it outלִרְשׁוּתto domainשְׁנִיָּהsecondפָּטוּר.he is exemptמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיְתָהwasעֲקִירָהthe removalרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstלְכָךְfor thisוְנִמְצֵאתand it turns outכָּאןhereהַנָּחָהa placementבְּלֹאwithoutעֲקִירָה.a removalוְכֵןand likewiseהָעוֹקֵרone who removesחֵפֶץan objectוְהִנִּיחוֹand placed itעַלuponחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowכְּשֶׁהוּאwhile heמְהַלֵּךְis walkingוּבְעֵתand at the timeשֶׁיִּרְצֶהthat desiresחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowלַעֲמֹדto standנְטָלוֹhe took itמֵעַלfrom uponגַּבֵּיthe back ofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisפָּטוּרhe is exemptשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdיֵשׁthere isכָּאןhereעֲקִירָהa removalבְּלֹאwithoutהַנָּחָה:a placement
This halacha teaches that to violate the Torah prohibition of carrying on Shabbos, both the removal (akirah) and the placement (hanachah) must be performed with the same continuous intent.
הל׳ יג
הַזּוֹרֵק חֵפֶץ וּקְלָטוֹ אַחֵר אוֹ נִשְׂרַף קֹדֶם שֶׁיָּנוּחַHalacha 13 · One Who Throws an Object and It Is Caught or Burned Before Resting
הַזּוֹרֵקOne who throwsחֵפֶץan objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainאוֹorמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבַּעfourלְסוֹףto the end ofאַרְבַּעfourבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוְקֹדֶםand beforeשֶׁיָּנוּחַthat it restedקְלָטוֹcaught itאַחֵרanotherבְּיָדוֹin his handאוֹorקְלָטוֹcaught itכֶּלֶבa dogאוֹorנִשְׂרַףit was burnedפָּטוּר.is exemptמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notזוֹthisהַנָּחָהa restingשֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּןthat he intendedלָהּ.for itלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifנִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendedבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofזְרִיקָהthrowingלְכָךְfor thisחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha discusses the requirement of a proper resting of a thrown object for one to be liable for carrying on Shabbos.
הל׳ יד
הַזּוֹרֵק חֵפֶץ הַקָּשׁוּר בְּחֶבֶל בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 14 · Throwing an Object Tied to a Rope on Shabbos
הַזּוֹרֵקOne who throwsחֵפֶץan objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domainלִרְשׁוּתto a domainוְהָיָהand it wasקָשׁוּרtiedבְּחֶבֶלwith a ropeוַאֲגָדוֹand its bindingבְּיָדוֹ.is in his handאִםifיָכוֹלhe is ableלִמְשֹׁךְto pullהַחֵפֶץthe objectאֶצְלוֹto himselfפָּטוּר.he is exemptשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאֵיןthere is notכָּאןhereהֲנָחָהa placingגְּמוּרָהcompleteוְנִמְצָאand he is foundכְּמִיlike oneשֶׁעָקַרwho uprootedוְלֹאand did notהִנִּיחַ:place down
This halacha teaches that throwing an object into another domain is not a complete melacha of carrying if the thrower retains physical control to pull it back.
הל׳ טו
הַזּוֹרֵק חֵפֶץ וְקִבְּלוֹ חֲבֵרוֹ אוֹ הוּא עַצְמוֹHalacha 15 · Throwing an Object and Having It Received by a Colleague or Oneself
הַזּוֹרֵקOne who throwsוְנָחָהand it restedבְּתוֹךְinsideיָדוֹthe handשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹ.his fellowאִםifעָמַדstoodחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowבִּמְקוֹמוֹin his placeוְקִבְּלָהּand received itהַזּוֹרֵקthe throwerחַיָּבis liableשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdעָקַרhe uprootedוְהִנִּיחַ.and placedוְאִםand ifנֶעֱקַרwas uprootedחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowמִמְּקוֹמוֹfrom his placeוְקִבְּלָהּand received itפָּטוּר.he is exemptזָרַקIf he threwוְרָץand ranהַזּוֹרֵקthe throwerעַצְמוֹhimselfאַחַרafterהַחֵפֶץthe objectוְקִבְּלוֹand received itבְּיָדוֹin his handבִּרְשׁוּתin a domainאַחֶרֶתanotherאוֹorחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsפָּטוּרhe is exemptכְּאִלּוּas ifנֶעֱקַרwas uprootedאַחֵרanotherוְקִבְּלוֹ.and received itשֶׁאֵיןfor there is notהַהַנָּחָהthe placingגְּמוּרָהcompleteעַדuntilשֶׁיָּנוּחַthat restsהַחֵפֶץthe objectבְּמָקוֹםin the placeשֶׁהָיָהthat wasלוֹfor itלָנוּחַto restבּוֹin itבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofעֲקִירָה:uprooting
This halacha defines the liability of a thrower based on whether the object came to rest in its intended manner or if the recipient had to move to catch it.
הל׳ טז
זְרִיקָה מֵרְשׁוּת לִרְשׁוּת דֶּרֶךְ רְשׁוּת אַחֶרֶתHalacha 16 · Throwing from One Domain to Another Through an Intervening Domain
הַזּוֹרֵקOne who throwsמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualלִרְשׁוּתto a domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualוּרְשׁוּתand a domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicבָּאֶמְצַעis in the middleאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁעָבַרthat passedהַחֵפֶץthe objectבַּאֲוִירin the airspace ofרְשׁוּתa domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicפָּטוּר.is exemptוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיַּעֲבֹרis provided that it passesלְמַעְלָהaboveמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהfrom threeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsאֲבָלbutאִםifעָבַרit passedבְּפָחוֹתwithin lessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeסָמוּךְcloseלָאָרֶץto the groundוְנָחand restedעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe back ofמַשֶּׁהוּanythingאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנֶּעֱקַרthat it was uprootedאוֹorנִתְגַּלְגֵּלrolledוְיָצָאand went outהַחֵפֶץthe objectמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualאַחֶרֶתanotherהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּמִיis like oneשֶׁנִּשְׁאַרwho remainedעוֹמֵדstandingבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeחַיָּב.he is liableוְכֵןand so tooהַזּוֹרֵקone who throwsמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicלִרְשׁוּתto a domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוּרְשׁוּתand a domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualבָּאֶמְצַעis in the middleפָּטוּר.is exemptוְאִםand ifעָבַרpassedהַחֵפֶץthe objectבְּפָחוֹתwithin lessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeסָמוּךְcloseלָאָרֶץto the groundוְנָחand restedעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe back ofמַשֶּׁהוּanythingאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁחָזַרthat it returnedוְנִתְגַּלְגֵּלand rolledוְיָצָאand went outלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicהַשְּׁנִיָּהthe secondהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּמִיis like oneשֶׁנִּשְׁאַרwho remainedעוֹמֵדstandingבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha discusses the liability of throwing an object between two similar domains when it passes through a different domain in between, depending on whether it passes above or below three handbreadths from the ground.
הל׳ יז
הַעֲבָרַת חֵפֶץ בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים דֶּרֶךְ רְשׁוּת הַיָּחִידHalacha 17 · Carrying Four Cubits in Two Public Domains Separated by Another Domain
הַמַּעֲבִירOne who transfersאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsבִּרְשׁוּתin a domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicזוֹthisעִםwithרְשׁוּתthe domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicהַשְּׁנִיָּהthe secondחַיָּבis liableמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאַרְבַּעthat fourאַמּוֹתcubitsבִּשְׁתֵּיin twoרְשׁוּיוֹתdomainsהָרַבִּיםof the publicמִצְטָרְפִיםcombineמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notנָחdid restהַחֵפֶץthe objectבָּרְשׁוּתin the domainשֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶן:that is between them
One is liable for carrying four cubits in the public domain even if he passes through a private domain in between, as long as the object did not come to rest.
הל׳ יח
הַמּוֹשִׁיט מֵרְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד לִרְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד דֶּרֶךְ רְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 18 · Passing an Object Between Two Private Domains Across a Public Domain
הַמּוֹשִׁיטOne who passesמֵרְשׁוּתfrom a domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualלִרְשׁוּתto a domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualוּרְשׁוּתand a domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe manyבָּאֶמְצַעis in the middleחַיָּב.is liableוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifהוֹשִׁיטhe passedלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵאֲוִירthe airspace ofרְשׁוּתthe domain ofהָרַבִּים.the manyשֶׁכֵּןfor soהָיְתָהwasעֲבוֹדַתthe service ofהַלְוִיִּםthe Levitesבַּמִּשְׁכָּןin the Tabernacleמוֹשִׁיטִיןthey would passאֶת—הַקְּרָשִׁיםthe boardsמֵעֲגָלָהfrom a wagonלַעֲגָלָהto a wagonוּרְשׁוּתand the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe manyבֵּיןwas betweenשְׁתֵּיthe twoהָעֲגָלוֹתwagonsוְכָלand eachעֲגָלָהwagonוַעֲגָלָהand wagonרְשׁוּתa domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualהִיא:it is
This halacha teaches that passing an object across a public domain is a Torah prohibition derived from the service of the Levites in the Tabernacle.
הל׳ יט
הַמּוֹשִׁיט מֵרְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד לִרְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד דֶּרֶךְ רְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 19 · Passing an Object Between Two Private Domains Across a Public Domain
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidכְּשֶׁהָיוּwhen wereשְׁתֵּיtwoרְשׁוּתdomains ofהַיָּחִידthe individualבְּאֹרֶךְalong the length ofרְשׁוּתthe domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁהָעֲגָלוֹתthat the wagonsמְהַלְּכוֹתtravelבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicזוֹthis oneאַחַרafterזוֹ.this oneאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיוּthey wereשְׁתֵּיthe twoהָרְשֻׁיּוֹתdomainsבִּשְׁנֵיon twoצִדֵּיsides ofרְשׁוּתthe domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicאַףevenהַמּוֹשִׁיטone who passesמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualזוֹthis oneלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualשֶׁכְּנֶגְדָּהּthat is opposite itפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha clarifies the specific spatial alignment of private domains required to incur liability for passing objects over a public domain.
הל׳ כ
דִּין הַמּוֹצִיא יָדוֹ מְלֵאָה פֵּרוֹת בְּשׁוֹגֵג וּבְמֵזִידHalacha 20 · The Law of One Who Stretched Out His Hand Filled with Fruit Inadvertently or Intentionally
שָׁכַחHe forgotוּפָשַׁטand stretched outיָדוֹhis handוְהִיאand itמְלֵאָהwas full ofפֵּרוֹתfruitsוְהוֹצִיאָהּand brought it outמֵחָצֵרfrom courtyardזוֹthisלְהַכְנִיסָהּto bring it inלֶחָצֵרto the courtyardשֶׁבְּצִדָּהּthat is at its sideוְנִזְכַּרand he rememberedקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁיַּכְנִיסthat he brought inוַהֲרֵיand beholdיָדוֹhis handתְּלוּיָהis suspendedבַּאֲוִירin the airspace ofרְשׁוּתdomain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהַחֲזִירָהּto return itאֵלָיוto himלַחֲצֵרוֹ.to his courtyardאֲבָלbutלְהַכְנִיסָהּto bring it inלְאוֹתָהּto thatהֶחָצֵרthe courtyardהַשְּׁנִיָּהthe secondאָסוּר.it is forbiddenכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַעֲשֶׂהhe will performמַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹhis thoughtשֶׁחָשַׁבthat he thoughtבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofשְׁגָגָה.inadvertenceוְאִםand ifהוֹצִיאhe brought outיָדוֹhis handבְּמֵזִידintentionallyהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenלְהַחֲזִירָהּto return itאֶצְלוֹto himאֶלָּאratherקָנְסוּthey penalizedאוֹתוֹhimשֶׁתְּהֵאthat should beיָדוֹhis handתְּלוּיָהsuspendedעַדuntilשֶׁתֶּחְשַׁךְ:it becomes dark
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic penalty and restrictions applied when a person stretches his hand containing fruit out of his courtyard on Shabbos.
הל׳ כא
זְרִיקַת חֵפֶץ בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים וְשִׁנּוּי מִמַּחֲשַׁבְתּוֹHalacha 21 · Throwing an Object in the Public Domain and Deviating from One's Intention
הַמִּתְכַּוֵּןOne who intendsלִזְרֹקto throwשְׁמוֹנֶהeightאַמּוֹתcubitsבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicוְנָחand restedהַחֵפֶץthe objectבְּסוֹףat the end ofאַרְבַּעfourחַיָּבis liableשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceנַעֲשָׂהwas doneכְּשִׁעוּרlike the measure ofהַמְּלָאכָהthe melachaוְנַעֲשֵׂיתand was accomplishedמַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹ.his intentionשֶׁהַדָּבָרfor the matterיָדוּעַis knownשֶׁאֵיןthat notזֶהthisהַחֵפֶץobjectמַגִּיעַreachesלְסוֹףto the end ofשְׁמוֹנֶהeightעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲבֹרthat it passesעַלoverכָּלeveryמָקוֹםplaceוּמָקוֹםand placeמִכָּלof allהַשְּׁמוֹנֶה.the eightאֲבָלbutאִםifנִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendedלִזְרֹקto throwאַרְבַּעfourוְנָחand restedהַחֵפֶץthe objectבְּסוֹףat the end ofשְׁמוֹנֶהeightפָּטוּר.is exemptלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנָּחthat it restedבְּמָקוֹםin a placeשֶׁלֹּאthat notחָשַׁבhe thoughtשֶׁתַּעֲבֹרthat it would passבּוֹin itוְכָלand allשֶׁכֵּןthe more soשֶׁתָּנוּחַ.that it would restלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifחָשַׁבhe thoughtבְּעֵתat the time ofזְרִיקָהthrowingשֶׁיָּנוּחַthat it should restהַחֵפֶץthe objectבְּכָלin anyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁיִּרְצֶהthat it wantsחַיָּב:is liable
This halacha discusses the liability of a person who throws an object in the public domain when it lands at a different distance than originally intended.
הל׳ כב
דִּין הַזּוֹרֵק חֵפֶץ וְנִתְגַּלְגֵּל בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 22 · The Law of One Who Throws an Object and It Rolls on Shabbos
זָרַקOne threwלְתוֹךְintoאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsוְנִתְגַּלְגֵּלand it rolledחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsפָּטוּר.he is exemptזָרַקOne threwחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsוְנִתְגַּלְגֵּלand it rolledלְתוֹךְintoאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsאִםifנָחit restedעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe back ofמַשֶּׁהוּsomethingחוּץoutsideלְאַרְבַּעof fourאַמּוֹתcubitsוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְsoנִתְגַּלְגֵּלit rolledוְנִכְנַסand enteredלְתוֹךְintoאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsחַיָּבhe is liableוְאִםand ifלֹאnotנָחit restedכְּלָלat allהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisפָּטוּר:is exempt
This halacha discusses the liability of a person who throws an object on Shabbos when it rolls either into or out of the four-cubit boundary.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by establishing that a person is only liable for transferring an object between domains if it is lifted from and placed onto an area of at least four by four handbreadths, explaining that a human hand is halachically equivalent to such an area. We then learn that a person's mouth can also be considered a proper place of rest if they intended to carry food there, and that urinating or spitting from one domain to another carries liability. The Rambam then discusses the status of liquids, ruling that taking water from a full pit is a liability, whereas taking floating fruit or scooping floating oil is exempt because they are not considered resting on the ground. Finally, the chapter details the laws of shared actions, explaining that if one person performs the Akirah and another performs the Hanachah, neither is liable under Torah law, unless the giver's hand was held within three handbreadths of the ground, which is halachically considered as if the object was already placed on the ground.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah teaches us a profound lesson about the power of our thoughts and intentions. We see in Hilchos Shabbos that if a person is walking and eating, and simply has the conscious thought to carry the food in his mouth from one domain to another, that very thought elevates his mouth to be considered a significant place of resting. His internal ratzon, his focus, completely changes the halachic reality of his physical actions.
This is a powerful yesod for our daily avodah. Hashem values our minds and our hearts. Where your thoughts are, that is where you are. If we can transform a physical act like eating into a significant act of carrying just with a single thought, imagine what we can do when we consciously direct our thoughts toward Hashem before we speak, before we do a mitzvah, or even when we are engaged in our daily work.
Today, before you begin a routine task or sit down to eat, stop for three seconds and consciously think: 'I am doing this to have strength to serve Hashem.' Watch how that one thought elevates your entire physical action into something holy.