Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we begin a deep dive into the halachos of carrying in lanes (mevo'os) that are shared by many households. Hashem in His kindness gave us the holy Shabbos, and the Chachamim enacted safeguards to prevent us from accidentally carrying from a private domain to a public domain. We will learn the crucial distinction between a closed lane, which has three walls, and an open lane, which is open on both ends to the public domain, and how we can make a tikkun (rectification) to allow carrying within them.
We will also learn about the specific structures required by the Rabbis to permit carrying in these areas, such as a lechi (a side-post) or a korah (a crossbeam). The chapter will guide us through various complex layouts of lanes, including L-shaped lanes, lanes on an incline, and lanes that border natural barriers like the sea or a public garbage dump, showing us how the halacha beautifully accounts for every physical reality.
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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הַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין מָבוֹי סָתוּם לְמָבוֹי הַמְפֻלָּשׁHalacha 1 · The Halachic Distinction Between a Closed Alleyway and an Open Alleyway
מָבוֹיAn alleywayשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasלוֹto itשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeכְּתָלִיםwallsהוּאitהַנִּקְרָאis that which is calledמָבוֹיan alleywayסָתוּם.closedוּמָבוֹיand an alleywayשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasלוֹto itשְׁנֵיtwoכְּתָלִיםwallsבִּלְבַדonlyזֶהthisכְּנֶגֶדoppositeזֶהthisוְהָעָםand the peopleנִכְנָסִיןenterבְּרוּחַon sideזוֹthisוְיוֹצְאִיןand exitבְּשֶׁכְּנֶגְדָהּon that which is opposite itהוּאitהַנִּקְרָאis that which is calledמָבוֹיan alleywayהַמְפֻלָּשׁ:open
This halacha defines the physical characteristics of closed and open alleyways for the laws of carrying on Shabbos.
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הֶתֵּר טִלְטוּל בְּמָבוֹי עַל יְדֵי לֶחִי אוֹ קוֹרָהHalacha 2 · Permitting Carrying in an Alleyway by Means of a Pole or Beam
הֵיאַךְHowמַתִּירִיןdo we permitמָבוֹיan alleywayהַסָּתוּם.that is closedעוֹשֶׂהone makesלוֹfor itבְּרוּחַon the sideרְבִיעִיתfourthלֶחִיa poleאֶחָדoneאוֹorעוֹשֶׂהone makesעָלָיוupon itקוֹרָהa beamוְדַיּוֹ.and it is sufficient for himוְתֵחָשֵׁבand it is consideredאוֹתָהּthatקוֹרָהbeamאוֹorאוֹתוֹthatלֶחִיpoleכְּאִלּוּas ifסָתַםit closedרוּחַthe sideרְבִיעִיתfourthוְיֵעָשֶׂהand it becomesרְשׁוּתa domainהַיָּחִידof the individualוְיִהְיֶהand it will beמֻתָּרpermittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכֻלּוֹ.in all of itשֶׁדִּיןfor the law ofתּוֹרָהTorahבְּשָׁלֹשׁwith threeמְחִצּוֹתpartitionsבִּלְבַדaloneמֻתָּרis permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryוּמִדִּבְרֵיand from the words ofסוֹפְרִיםScribesהִיאisהָרוּחַthe sideהָרְבִיעִיתthe fourthוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeדַּיit is sufficientלָהּfor itבְּלֶחִיwith a poleאוֹorקוֹרָה:a beam
This halacha explains how a closed alleyway with three walls is rabbinically permitted for carrying by placing a lechi or a korah on its fourth open side.
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הֶתֵּר מָבוֹי מְפֻלָּשׁ וּמָבוֹי עָקֹםHalacha 3 · Permitting an Open Alleyway and a Bent Alleyway for Carrying on Shabbos
וְהֵיאַךְAnd howמַתִּירִיןdoes one permitמָבוֹיan alleywayמְפֻלָּשׁ.that is openעוֹשֶׂהone makesלוֹfor itצוּרַתthe form ofפֶּתַחan entranceמִכָּאןfrom hereוְלֶחִיand a poleאוֹorקוֹרָהa beamמִכָּאן.from hereוּמָבוֹיand an alleywayעָקֹםthat is bentתּוֹרָתוֹits lawכִּמְפֻלָּשׁ:is like one that is open
This halacha details the physical partitions required to permit carrying in an open or L-shaped alleyway on Shabbos.
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מָבוֹי הַמִּשְׁתַּפֵּעַ לִרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 4 · An Alleyway that Slopes to the Public Domain
מָבוֹיAn alleywayשֶׁהוּאthat isשָׁוֶהlevelמִתּוֹכוֹfrom its insideוּמִדְרוֹןand slopesלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicאוֹorשָׁוֶהlevelלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוּמִדְרוֹןand slopesלְתוֹכוֹinto its insideאֵינוֹdoes notצָרִיךְneedלֹאneitherלֶחִיa side-postוְלֹאnorקוֹרָהa crossbeamשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהוּאitמֻבְדָּלis distinctמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהָרַבִּים:the public
An alleyway with a steep incline at its entrance does not require a side-post or crossbeam because the slope itself serves as a distinct partition.
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מָבוֹי הַכָּלֶה לַיָּם וּלְאַשְׁפָּה שֶׁל רַבִּיםHalacha 5 · An Alleyway Ending at the Sea and a Public Garbage Dump
מָבוֹיAn alleywayשֶׁצִּדּוֹwhose sideאֶחָדoneכָּלֶהendsלַיָּםat the seaוְצִדּוֹand its sideאֶחָדoneכָּלֶהendsלְאַשְׁפָּהat a garbage dumpשֶׁלofרַבִּיםthe publicאֵינוֹdoes notצָרִיךְneedכְּלוּם.anythingשֶׁאַשְׁפָּהbecause a garbage dumpשֶׁלofרַבִּיםthe publicאֵינָהּis notעֲשׂוּיָהlikelyלְהִתְפַּנּוֹתto be cleared awayוְאֵיןand we do notחוֹשְׁשִׁיןsuspectשֶׁמָּאlestיַעֲלֶהwill bring upהַיָּםthe seaשִׂרְטוֹן:a sandbar
This halacha discusses the status of an alleyway bounded by natural and public barriers that do not require additional rectifying measures to permit carrying.
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מָבוֹי הַכָּלֶה לִרְחָבָה שֶׁל רַבִּים וְשֶׁל יָחִידHalacha 6 · An Alleyway Ending in a Public or Private Courtyard
מָבוֹיAn open alleywayמְפֻלָּשׁopenשֶׁהוּאthat itכָּלֶהendsלְאֶמְצַעin the middle ofרְחָבָהa courtyardשֶׁלofרַבִּים.many peopleאִםifלֹאnotהָיָהit wasמְכֻוָּןalignedכְּנֶגֶדoppositeפֶּתַחthe entrance ofהָרְחָבָהthe courtyardהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisכְּסָתוּםis like closedוְאֵינוֹand it does notצָרִיךְneedמִצַּדfrom the side ofהָרְחָבָהthe courtyardכְּלוּם.anythingאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהit wasכָּלֶהendingלְצִדְדֵיat the sides ofהָרְחָבָהthe courtyardאָסוּר.it is forbiddenוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהit wasשֶׁלofיָחִידan individualאַףevenלְאֶמְצָעָהּto its middleאָסוּר.it is forbiddenפְּעָמִיםsometimesבּוֹנֶהhe buildsמִצַּדfrom sideאֶחָדoneוְנִמְצָאand it turns outכָּלֶהendingלְצִדָּהּat its sideשֶׁלofרְחָבָה:the courtyard
This halacha discusses the status of an open alleyway that terminates in a courtyard, distinguishing between public and private courtyards and where the alleyway meets the courtyard.
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הֶתֵּר מָבוֹי בְּלֶחִי וְקוֹרָה וְדִינֵי מִדּוֹתָיוHalacha 7 · Permitting a Lane with a Pole or Beam and Its Required Dimensions
אֵיןNotהַמָּבוֹיthe laneנִתָּרis permittedבְּלֶחִיwith a poleאוֹorקוֹרָהa beamעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיוּthere will beבָּתִּיםhousesוַחֲצֵרוֹתand courtyardsפְּתוּחוֹתopenלְתוֹכוֹinto itוְיִהְיֶהand there will beאָרְכּוֹits lengthמֵאַרְבַּעfrom fourאַמּוֹתcubitsוּלְמַעְלָהand upwardsוְיִהְיֶהand there will beאָרְכּוֹits lengthיָתֵרgreaterעַלthanרָחְבּוֹ.its widthאֲבָלbutמָבוֹיa laneשֶׁאָרְכּוֹwhose lengthכְּרָחְבּוֹis like its widthהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּחָצֵרis like a courtyardוְאֵינוֹand is notנִתָּרpermittedאֶלָּאunlessבִּשְׁנֵיwith twoלְחָיַיִםpolesמִשְּׁנֵיfrom two ofרוּחוֹתָיוits sidesכָּלanyלֶחִיpoleבְּמַשֶּׁהוּ.of any sizeאוֹorבְּפַסwith a boardרָחָבwideאַרְבָּעָהfourמֵרוּחַfrom sideאַחַת:one
This halacha defines the physical dimensions and openings required for a lane to be permitted for carrying using a pole or a beam.
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דִּין חָצֵר הַדּוֹמָה לְמָבוֹי וּמָבוֹי קָצָרHalacha 8 · The Law of a Courtyard Resembling a Lane and a Short Lane
חָצֵרA courtyardשֶׁאָרְכָּהּwhose lengthיֶתֶרexceedsעַל·רָחְבָּהּits widthהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitכְּמָבוֹיis like a laneוְנִתֶּרֶתand is permittedבְּלֶחִיwith a poleאוֹorקוֹרָה.a beamוּמָבוֹיand a laneשֶׁאֵיןthat does not haveבָּתִּיםhousesוַחֲצֵרוֹתand courtyardsפְּתוּחוֹתopenלְתוֹכוֹinto itכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁלֹּאthat there was notהָיָהwasבּוֹin itאֶלָּאexceptבַּיִתa houseאֶחָדoneאוֹorחָצֵרa courtyardאַחַתoneוְכֵןand likewiseמָבוֹיa laneשֶׁאֵיןthat does not haveבְּאָרְכּוֹin its lengthאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsאֵינוֹis notנִתָּרpermittedאֶלָּאexceptבִּשְׁנֵיwith twoלְחָיַיִםpolesאוֹorבְּפַסwith a board ofאַרְבָּעָהfourוּמַשֶּׁהוּ:and a bit
This halacha defines when a courtyard is treated as a lane and details the requirements for permitting a lane that lacks the standard length or the necessary open houses and courtyards.
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דִּין מָבוֹי הַקָּצָר וְהֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין קוֹרָה לְלֶחִיHalacha 9 · The Law of a Narrow Lane and the Difference Between a Beam and a Pole
מָבוֹיA laneשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבְּרָחְבּוֹin its widthשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsאֵינוֹdoes notצָרִיךְneedלֹאnotלֶחִיa poleוְלֹאand notקוֹרָהa beamוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכֻלּוֹ.in all of itשֶׁכָּלfor anyפָּחוֹתlessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכְּלָבוּד.is like connectedמָבוֹיA laneשֶׁהֶכְשֵׁרוֹwhose preparationבְּקוֹרָהis with a beamאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁמֻּתָּרthat it is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכֻלּוֹin all of itכִּרְשׁוּתlike a privateהַיָּחִידdomainהַזּוֹרֵקone who throwsמִתּוֹכוֹfrom its insideלִרְשׁוּתto the publicהָרַבִּיםdomainאוֹorמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the publicהָרַבִּיםdomainלְתוֹכוֹinto its insideפָּטוּר.is exemptשֶׁהַקּוֹרָהfor the beamמִשּׁוּםbecause ofהֶכֵּרa distinctionהִיאitעֲשׂוּיָה.is madeאֲבָלbutאִםifהֶכְשֵׁרוֹits preparationבְּלֶחִיis with a poleהַזּוֹרֵקone who throwsמִתּוֹכוֹfrom its insideלִרְשׁוּתto the publicהָרַבִּיםdomainאוֹorמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the publicהָרַבִּיםdomainלְתוֹכוֹinto its insideחַיָּבis liableשֶׁהַלֶּחִיfor the poleהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitכִּמְחִצָּהis like a partitionבְּרוּחַon the sideרְבִיעִית:fourth
This halacha explains the status of a lane narrower than three handbreadths and contrasts the halachic status of a lane permitted via a beam versus one permitted via a pole.
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הֶכְשֵׁר רְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים עַל יְדֵי דְּלָתוֹתHalacha 10 · Permitting Carrying in a Public Domain Between Two Walls Using Gates
שְׁנֵיTwoכְּתָלִיםwallsבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוְהָעָםand the peopleעוֹבְרִיםpassבֵּינֵיהֶםbetween themכֵּיצַדhowמַכְשִׁירdoes one make permissibleבֵּינֵיהֶם.between themעוֹשֶׂהone makesדְּלָתוֹתdoorsמִכָּאןfrom hereוּדְלָתוֹתand doorsמִכָּאןfrom hereוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְsoיַעֲשֶׂהhe makesבֵּינֵיהֶםbetween themרְשׁוּתa domain ofהַיָּחִיד.the individualוְאֵינוֹand he is notצָרִיךְrequiredלִנְעלto lockהַדְּלָתוֹתthe doorsבַּלַּיְלָהat nightאֲבָלbutצָרִיךְhe is requiredשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they shall beרְאוּיוֹתfitלְהִנָּעֵל.to be lockedהָיוּif they wereמְשֻׁקָּעוֹתsunkenבְּעָפָרin dirtמְפַנֶּהhe clearsאוֹתָןthemוּמְתַקְּנָןand fixes themלְהִנָּעֵל.to be lockedאֲבָלbutצוּרַתthe form ofפֶּתַחan entranceאוֹorלֶחִיa side-postוְקוֹרָהand a crossbeamאֵינָןare notמוֹעִילִיןeffectiveבְּהֶכְשֵׁרin making permissibleרְשׁוּתa domain ofהָרַבִּים:the public
The Rambam explains that a public domain with two walls and through-traffic can only be made permissible for carrying by installing actual gates on both ends, which must be fit to lock.
הל׳ יא
טִלְטוּל תַּחַת הַקּוֹרָה וּבֵין הַלְּחָיַיִם הַסְּמוּכִים לְכַרְמְלִיתHalacha 11 · Carrying Under a Beam or Between Side-Posts Adjacent to a Carmelit
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּמָבוֹיin a laneתַּחַתunderהַקּוֹרָהthe beamאוֹorבֵּיןbetweenהַלְּחָיַיִם.the side-postsבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּשֶׁהָיָהwhen it wasסָמוּךְadjacentלִרְשׁוּתto a domainהָרַבִּים.of the publicאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהit wasסָמוּךְadjacentלְכַרְמְלִיתto a carmelitאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְטַלְטֵלto carryתַּחַתunderהַקּוֹרָהthe beamאוֹorבֵּיןbetweenהַלְּחָיַיִםthe side-postsעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂהhe makesלֶחִיa side-postאַחֵרanotherלְהַתִּירto permitתּוֹךְinsideהַפֶּתַחthe entranceשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdמָצָאfoundמִיןa kindאֶת—מִינוֹits kindוְנֵעוֹר:and was awakened
This halacha discusses the restrictions on carrying in the entranceway of an alleyway when it opens into a carmelit rather than a public domain.
הל׳ יב
עֲשִׂיַּת לֶחִי מִכָּל דָּבָר וְשִׁעוּר גָּבְהוֹHalacha 12 · Constructing a Side-Post from Any Substance and Its Required Height
בַּכּלWith everythingעוֹשִׂיןwe may makeלְחָיַיִםside-postsאֲפִלּוּevenבְּדָבָרwith a thingשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itרוּחַa spirit ofחַיִּיםlifeוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּאִסּוּרֵיwith forbiddenהֲנָיָה.benefitעֲבוֹדָהidolזָרָהworshipעַצְמָהּitselfאוֹorאֲשֵׁרָהan asherahשֶׁעָשָׂהthat he madeאוֹתָהּitלֶחִיa side-postכָּשֵׁרis validשֶׁהַלֶּחִיfor the side-postעָבְיוֹits thicknessכָּלanyשֶׁהוּא.that it isגֹּבַהּthe height ofהַלֶּחִיthe side-postאֵיןis notפָּחוֹתlessמֵעֲשָׂרָהthan tenטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsרָחְבּוֹits widthוְעָבְיוֹand its thicknessכָּלanyשֶׁהוּא:that it is
This halacha teaches that any material, even a living creature or an object of idolatry, may be used as a side-post, provided it meets the minimum height requirement of ten handbreadths.
הל׳ יג
דִּינֵי קוֹרַת מָבוֹי וְשִׁעוּרָהּHalacha 13 · The Laws of the Alleyway Beam and Its Required Dimensions
בַּכּלWith everythingעוֹשִׂיןwe may makeקוֹרָהa beamאֲבָלbutלֹאnotבַּאֲשֵׁרָהwith an Asherahלְפִיbecauseשֶׁיֵּשׁthere isלְרֹחַבfor the width ofהַקּוֹרָהthe beamשִׁעוּר.a minimum measureוְכָלand allהַשִּׁעוּרִיןminimum measuresאֲסוּרִיםare forbiddenמִןfromהָאֲשֵׁרָה.the Asherahוְכֵןand soרֹחַבthe width ofהַקּוֹרָהthe beamאֵיןis notפָּחוֹתlessמִטֶּפַחthan a handbreadthוְעָבְיָהּand its thicknessכָּלanyשֶׁהוּא.that it isוְהוּאand itשֶׁתִּהְיֶהmust beבְּרִיאָהstrongלְקַבֵּלto supportאָרִיחַa half-brickשֶׁהוּאwhich isחֲצִיhalfלְבֵנָהa brickשֶׁלofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsעַלbyשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִים.handbreadthsוּמַעֲמִידֵיand the supports ofקוֹרָהthe beamצְרִיכִיןneedשֶׁיִּהְיוּto beבְּרִיאִיןstrongכְּדֵיenoughלְקַבֵּלto supportקוֹרָהthe beamוַחֲצִיand a halfלְבֵנָה:brick
This halacha details the physical requirements of a crossbeam used to permit carrying in an alleyway, including its minimum width and structural strength.
הל׳ יד
מְמַדֵּי פֶּתַח הַמָּבוֹי לְהַתִּיר טִלְטוּלHalacha 14 · The Dimensions of a Lane Entrance to Permit Carrying on Shabbos
כַּמָּהHow muchיִהְיֶהshall beפֶּתַחthe entrance ofהַמָּבוֹיthe laneוְיִהְיֶהand it shall beדַּיsufficientלְהַכְשִׁירוֹto permit itבְּלֶחִיwith a poleאוֹorקוֹרָה.a beamגָּבְהוֹits heightאֵיןis notפָּחוֹתlessמֵעֲשָׂרָהthan tenטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsוְלֹאand notיֶתֶרmoreעַלthanעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyאַמָּהcubitsוְרָחְבּוֹand its widthעַדup toעֶשֶׂרtenאַמּוֹת.cubitsבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidשֶׁלֹּאwhen notהָיָהthere wasלוֹto itצוּרַתthe form ofפֶּתַח.an entranceאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהthere wasלוֹto itצוּרַתthe form ofפֶּתַחan entranceאֲפִלּוּevenהָיָהit wasגָּבוֹהַּhighמֵאָהone hundredאַמָּהcubitsאוֹorפָּחוֹתlessמֵעֲשָׂרָהthan tenאוֹorרֹחַבa width ofמֵאָהone hundredאַמָּהcubitsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּר:is permitted
This halacha defines the maximum and minimum height and width of a lane's entrance for a pole or beam to render it permissible to carry within, and how the form of an entrance bypasses these limits.
הל׳ טו
קּוֹרַת מָבוֹי הַגְּבוֹהָה מֵעֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה עִם כִּיּוּר וְצִיּוּרHalacha 15 · An Alleyway Beam Higher Than Twenty Cubits with Carvings and Designs
וְכֵןAnd soאִםifהָיָהthere wasבְּקוֹרָהin the beamשֶׁלofמָבוֹיan alleywayכִּיּוּרcarvingוְצִיּוּרand designעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat would beהַכּלeveryoneמִסְתַּכְּלִיןlookingבָּהּat itאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִיאthat it isלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֶשְׂרִיםfrom twentyאַמָּהcubitsכְּשֵׁרָה.it is validשֶׁהַקּוֹרָהfor the beamמִשּׁוּםbecause ofהֶכֵּרa reminderעֲשׂוּיָהis madeוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהit wasלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֶשְׂרִיםfrom twentyאֵינָהּit is notנִכֶּרֶתnoticeableוְאִםand ifיֵשׁthere isבָּהּin itצִיּוּרdesignוְכִיּוּרand carvingמִסְתַּכְּלִיםthey lookבָּהּat itוְנִמְצָאand it is foundשָׁםthereהֶכֵּר:a reminder
This halacha discusses how a beam over twenty cubits high is valid if it has designs that draw attention to it.
הל׳ טז
גּוֹבַהּ הַקּוֹרָה וְהַמָּבוֹי לְעִנְיַן טִלְטוּלHalacha 16 · The Required Height of a Lane and Its Beam for Carrying on Shabbos
מָבוֹיA laneשֶׁהָיָהthat wasגָּבְהוֹits heightמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe groundעַדuntilקַרְקָעִיתthe bottom ofקוֹרָהthe beamעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyאַמָּהcubitsוָעֳבִיand the thickness ofהַקּוֹרָהthe beamלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyכָּשֵׁר.it is kosherהָיָהIf it wasגָּבְהוֹits heightיֶתֶרmoreמֵעֶשְׂרִיםthan twentyוּבָאand he comesלְמַעֲטוֹto reduce itבַּקּוֹרָהwith the beamשֶׁמַּנִּיחַthat he placesאוֹתָהּitלְמַטָּהbelowצָרִיךְit is requiredלִהְיוֹתto beבְּרָחְבָּהּin its widthטֶפַחa handbreadthכְּקוֹרָה.like a beamהָיָהIf it wasגָּבְהוֹits heightפָּחוֹתlessמֵעֲשָׂרָהthan tenחוֹקֵקhe hollows outבּוֹin itמֶשֶׁךְa length ofאַרְבַּעfourעַלbyאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsוּמַעֲמִיקand deepens itכְּדֵיin orderלְהַשְׁלִימוֹto complete itלַעֲשָׂרָה:to ten
This halacha discusses the maximum and minimum height requirements for a lane's beam and how to adjust them to make carrying permissible.
הל׳ יז
פִּרְצָה בְּצַד הַמָּבוֹי סָמוּךְ לְפִתְחוֹHalacha 17 · A Breach in the Side of an Alleyway Near Its Entrance
נִפְרַץIf was breachedבּוֹin itפִּרְצָהa breachמִצִּדּוֹfrom its sideכְּלַפֵּיtowardsרֹאשׁוֹits frontאִםifנִשְׁאַרthere remainedעוֹמֵדstandingבְּרֹאשׁוֹat its frontפַּסa postרֹחַבof width ofאַרְבָּעָהfourטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsמֻתָּרit is permittedוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאprovided that notתִּהְיֶהshall beהַפִּרְצָהthe breachיֶתֶרmoreעַלthanעֶשֶׂר.tenוְאִםand ifלֹאnotנִשְׁאַרthere remainedפַּסa post ofאַרְבָּעָהfourאָסוּרit is forbiddenאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיְתָהwasהַפִּרְצָהthe breachפָּחוֹתlessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeשֶׁכָּלfor anyפָּחוֹתlessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeכְּלָבוּד:is like connected
This halacha discusses the status of a breach in the side wall of an alleyway near its entrance and the dimensions required to permit carrying.
הל׳ יח
דִּין מָבוֹי וְחָצֵר הַנִּפְרָצִים לִרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּיםHalacha 18 · The Law of an Alleyway and Courtyard Breached to the Public Domain
נִפְרַץBreachedהַמָּבוֹיthe alleywayבִּמְלוֹאוֹin its entiretyלֶחָצֵרto a courtyardוְנִפְרְצָהand breached wasחָצֵרthe courtyardכְּנֶגְדּוֹopposite itלִרְשׁוּתto the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isמָבוֹיan alleywayמְפֻלָּשׁ.open throughוְהֶחָצֵרbut the courtyardמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedשֶׁהֶחָצֵרfor a courtyardשֶׁרַבִּיםthat the publicבּוֹקְעִיןtreadבָּהּthrough itוְנִכְנָסִיןand enterבָּזוֹthrough thisוְיוֹצְאִיןand exitבָּזוֹthrough thatהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitרְשׁוּתis a domain ofהַיָּחִידthe individualגְּמוּרָה:complete
This halacha discusses the status of an alleyway and a courtyard when they are breached entirely into one another and open out into the public domain.
הל׳ יט
הֶכְשֵׁר מָבוֹי הַמְּפֻלָּשׁ בִּשְׁבִילִים רַבִּיםHalacha 19 · Permitting a Lane with Multiple Paths Opening to the Public Domain
מָבוֹיA laneשֶׁהָיוּthat hadלוֹto itשְׁבִילִיםpathsמִצַּדfrom sideזֶהthisוּשְׁבִילִיםand pathsמִצַּדfrom sideאַחֵרanotherשֶׁנִּמְצְאוּso that they are foundמְפֻלָּשִׁיןopenלִרְשׁוּתto the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינָןthat they are notמְכֻוָּנִיןalignedזֶהthis oneכְּנֶגֶדoppositeזֶהthis oneהֲרֵיbeholdכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneמֵהֶןof themמָבוֹיis a laneמְפֻלָּשׁ.openכֵּיצַדHowמַכְשִׁירִיןdoes one make fitאוֹתוֹ.itעוֹשֶׂהHe makesצוּרַתthe form ofפֶּתַחan entranceלְכָלfor everyאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneמִןofהַשְּׁבִילִיםthe pathsשֶׁבַּצַּדthat are on the sideהָאֶחָד.the oneוְכֵןand soלַפֶּתַחfor the entranceהַגָּדוֹל.the largeוְעוֹשֶׂהand he makesלְכָלfor allהַשְּׁבִילִיםthe pathsשֶׁבַּצַּדthat are on the sideהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondלֶחִיa poleאוֹorקוֹרָה:a beam
This halacha explains how to permit carrying in a complex lane that has multiple paths branching off to the public domain on both sides.
הל׳ כ
הַנָּחַת קוֹרָה וְלֶחִי בְּמָבוֹי שֶׁאֵינוֹ שָׁוֶהHalacha 20 · Placing a Beam and Pole in an Uneven Lane
מָבוֹיA laneשֶׁצִּדּוֹwhose sideאֶחָדoneאָרֹךְis longוְצִדּוֹand its sideהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondקָצָרis shortמַנִּיחַone placesאֶת—הַקּוֹרָהthe beamכְּנֶגֶדoppositeהַקָּצָר.the shortהֶעֱמִידIf one erectedלֶחִיa poleבַּחֲצִיin the half ofהַמָּבוֹיthe laneהַפְּנִימִיthe innerשֶׁהוּאwhich isלִפְנִיםinsideמִןfromהַלֶּחִיthe poleמֻתָּרit is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבּוֹin itוְהַחֵצִיand the halfהַחִיצוֹןthe outerשֶׁהוּאwhich isחוּץoutsideמִןfromהַלֶּחִיthe poleאָסוּר:is forbidden
This halacha discusses the placement of a beam when the walls of a lane are of unequal length, and the status of carrying when a pole is placed in the middle of a lane.
הל׳ כא
תִּקּוּן מָבוֹי הָרָחָב מֵעֶשְׂרִים אַמָּהHalacha 21 · Rectifying a Lane That Is More Than Twenty Cubits Wide
מָבוֹיA laneשֶׁהוּאthat isרָחָבwideעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyאַמָּהcubitsעוֹשֶׂהone makesפַּסa boardגָּבוֹהַּhighעֲשָׂרָהtenטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsבְּמֶשֶׁךְwith a length ofאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsשֶׁהוּאwhich isשִׁעוּרthe measure ofמֶשֶׁךְthe length ofהַמָּבוֹיthe laneוּמַעֲמִידוֹand stands itבָּאֶמְצַעin the middleוְנִמְצָאand it turns outכִּשְׁנֵיlike twoמְבוֹאוֹתlanesשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבְּפֶתַחin the entrance ofכָּלeachאֶחָדoneמֵהֶןof themעֶשֶׂרtenאַמּוֹת.cubitsאוֹorמַרְחִיקone distancesשְׁתֵּיtwoאַמּוֹתcubitsמִכָּאןfrom hereוּמַעֲמִידand standsפַּסa board ofשָׁלֹשׁthreeאַמּוֹתcubitsוּמַרְחִיקand distancesשְׁתֵּיtwoאַמּוֹתcubitsמִכָּאןfrom hereוּמַעֲמִידand standsפַּסa board ofשָׁלֹשׁthreeאַמּוֹתcubitsמִכָּאןfrom hereוְנִמְצָאand it turns outפֶּתַחthe entrance ofהַמָּבוֹיthe lane isעֶשֶׂרtenאַמּוֹתcubitsוְהַצְּדָדִיןand the sidesהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןthey areכִּסְתוּמִיןas closedשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceעוֹמֵדthe standing portionמְרֻבֶּהis greaterעַלthanהַפָּרוּץ:the breached portion
This halacha details how to partition a wide lane's entrance using a central wall or side boards so that the remaining openings do not exceed ten cubits.
הל׳ כב
דִּינֵי לֶחִי הַבּוֹלֵט וְהָעוֹמֵד מֵאֵלָיו וּמִדּוֹתָיוHalacha 22 · Laws of a Projecting Pole, a Self-Standing Pole, and Their Dimensions
לֶחִיA poleהַבּוֹלֵטthat projectsמִדָּפְנוֹfrom the wallשֶׁלofמָבוֹיa laneכָּשֵׁר.is validוְלֶחִיand a poleהָעוֹמֵדthat standsמֵאֵלָיוby itselfאִםifסָמְכוּthey reliedעָלָיוupon itמִקֹּדֶםfrom beforeהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכָּשֵׁר.is validוְלֶחִיand a poleשֶׁהוּאthat isנִרְאֶהvisibleמִבִּפְנִיםfrom insideלֶחִיas a poleוּמִבַּחוּץand from outsideאֵינוֹis notנִרְאֶהvisibleלֶחִי.as a poleאוֹorשֶׁהָיָהthat wasנִרְאֶהvisibleמִבַּחוּץfrom outsideלֶחִיas a poleוּמִבִּפְנִיםand from insideנִרְאֶהvisibleשֶׁהוּאthat it isשָׁוֶהflushוּכְאִלּוּand as ifאֵיןthere is noשָׁםthereלֶחִי.a poleהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisנִדּוֹןis judgedמִשּׁוּםasלֶחִי.a poleלֶחִיA poleשֶׁהִגְבִּיהוֹthat one raisedמִןfromהַקַּרְקַעthe groundשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsאוֹorשֶׁהִפְלִיגוֹthat one distancedמִןfromהַכֹּתֶלthe wallשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeלֹאnotעָשָׂהhas he doneכְּלוּם.anythingאֲבָלbutפָּחוֹתlessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsכָּשֵׁרis validשֶׁכָּלfor anyפָּחוֹתlessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeכְּלָבוּד.is like connectedלֶחִיA poleשֶׁהָיָהthat wasרָחָבwideהַרְבֵּה.veryבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיָהthat wasרָחְבּוֹits widthפָּחוֹתlessמֵחֲצִיthan halfרֹחַבthe widthהַמָּבוֹיof the laneבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיָהthat wasרָחְבּוֹits widthכַּחֲצִיlike halfרֹחַבthe widthהַמָּבוֹיof the laneכָּשֵׁרis validוְנִדּוֹןand is judgedמִשּׁוּםasלֶחִי.a poleאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיָהit wasיָתֵרmoreעַלthanחֲצִיhalfרֹחַבthe widthהַמָּבוֹיof the laneנִדּוֹןit is judgedמִשּׁוּםasעוֹמֵדstandingמְרֻבֶּהgreaterעַלthanהַפָּרוּץ:the breached
This halacha details the physical requirements of a lechi (pole) used to permit carrying in a lane, including its visibility, height from the ground, distance from the wall, and maximum width.
הל׳ כג
דִּין קוֹרַת מָבוֹי שֶׁנִּתְכַּסְּתָה וְקוֹרָה מִבַּחוּץHalacha 23 · The Law of a Covered Alleyway Beam and a Beam Placed Outside
קוֹרָהA beamשֶׁפֵּרֵסthat one spreadעָלֶיהָover itמַחְצֶלֶתa matהֲרֵיbeholdבִּטְּלָהּhe has nullified itשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאֵינָהּit is notנִכֶּרֶת.conspicuousלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifהָיְתָהwasהַמַּחְצֶלֶתthe matמְסֻלֶּקֶתremovedמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe groundשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsאוֹorיֶתֶרmoreאֵינָהּit is notמְחִצָּה.a wallנָעַץIf one droveשְׁתֵּיtwoיְתֵדוֹתpegsבִּשְׁנֵיinto twoכָּתְלֵיwalls ofמָבוֹיan alleywayמִבַּחוּץfrom the outsideוְהִנִּיחַand placedעֲלֵיהֶןupon themהַקּוֹרָהthe beamלֹאnotעָשָׂהhas he doneכְּלוּם.anythingשֶׁצָּרִיךְfor it is necessaryלִהְיוֹתto beהַקּוֹרָהthe beamעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe top ofהַמָּבוֹיthe alleywayלֹאnotסָמוּךְadjacentלוֹ:to it
This halacha discusses how covering a crossbeam with a mat nullifies its halachic status, and clarifies that the beam must be placed directly over the alleyway rather than on pegs protruding outside.
הל׳ כד
דִּין קוֹרָה הַיּוֹצְאָה מִכֹּתֶל אֶחָד וְאֵינָהּ מַגִּיעָה לַשֵּׁנִיHalacha 24 · The Law of a Beam Extending from One Wall and Not Reaching the Other
קוֹרָהA beamהַיּוֹצְאָהthat extendsמִכֹּתֶלfrom a wallזֶהthisוְאֵינָהּand does notנוֹגַעַתtouchבַּכֹּתֶלthe wallהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondוְכֵןand likewiseשְׁתֵּיtwoקוֹרוֹתbeamsאַחַתoneיוֹצְאָהextendingמִכֹּתֶלfrom a wallזֶהthisוְאַחַתand oneיוֹצְאָהextendingמִכֹּתֶלfrom a wallזֶהthisוְאֵינָןand they do notמַגִּיעוֹתreachזוֹthis oneלָזוֹto that oneפָּחוֹתlessמִשְּׁלֹשָׁהthan threeאֵינוֹhe is notצָרִיךְrequiredלְהָבִיאto bringקוֹרָהa beamאַחֶרֶת.anotherהָיָהif there wasבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeצָרִיךְhe is requiredלְהָבִיאto bringקוֹרָהa beamאַחֶרֶת:another
This halacha discusses the laws of a crossbeam used to permit carrying in an alleyway when the beam does not span the entire width.
הל׳ כה
דִּין שְׁתֵּי קוֹרוֹת הַמַּתְאִימוֹת וְהַמֻּנָּחוֹת בְּגוֹבַהּ שׁוֹנֶהHalacha 25 · The Law of Two Parallel Beams and Beams Placed at Different Heights
וְכֵןAnd soשְׁתֵּיtwoקוֹרוֹתbeamsהַמַּתְאִימוֹתthat are parallelלֹאnotבָּזוֹin this oneכְּדֵיenoughלְקַבֵּלto supportאָרִיחַa half-brickוְלֹאand notבָּזוֹin this oneכְּדֵיenoughלְקַבֵּלto supportאָרִיחַa half-brickאִםifיֵשׁthere isבִּשְׁתֵּיהֶןin both of themכְּדֵיenoughלְקַבֵּלto supportאָרִיחַa half-brickאֵינוֹhe does notצָרִיךְneedלְהָבִיאto bringקוֹרָהa beamאַחֶרֶת.anotherהָיְתָהIf it wasאַחַתoneלְמַטָּהbelowוְאַחַתand oneלְמַעְלָהaboveרוֹאִיןwe viewאֶת—הָעֶלְיוֹנָהthe upper oneכְּאִלּוּas ifהִיאitלְמַטָּהis belowוְהַתַּחְתּוֹנָהand the lower oneכְּאִלּוּas ifהִיאitלְמַעְלָה.is aboveוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּהְיֶהwill beעֶלְיוֹנָהthe upper oneלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyוְלֹאand notתַּחְתּוֹנָהthe lower oneלְמַטָּהbelowמֵעֲשָׂרָה.tenוְלֹאand notיִהְיֶהthere will beבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsכְּשֶׁרוֹאִיןwhen we viewאוֹתָהּitשֶׁיָּרְדָהthat descendedזוֹthis oneוְעָלְתָהand ascendedזוֹthis oneבְּכַוָּנָהdirectlyעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּthey are madeזוֹthis oneבְּצַדalongsideזוֹ:this one
This halacha discusses the laws of a crossbeam for an alleyway when two narrow beams combine to the required width, even if they are at different heights.
הל׳ כו
דִּין קוֹרָה עֲקֻמָּה וַעֲגֻלָּה בְּמָבוֹיHalacha 26 · The Laws of a Crooked or Rounded Beam in an Alleyway
הָיְתָהIf wasהַקּוֹרָהthe beamעֲקֻמָּהcrookedרוֹאִיןwe viewאוֹתָהּitכְּאִלּוּas ifהִיאitפְּשׁוּטָה.is straightעֲגֻלָּהIf roundedרוֹאִיןwe viewאוֹתָהּitכְּאִלּוּas ifהִיאitמְרֻבַּעַת.is squaredוְאִםand ifהָיָהthere wasבְּהֶקֵפָהּin its circumferenceשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsיֵשׁthere isבָּהּin itרֹחַבa width ofטֶפַח.a handbreadthהָיְתָהIf wasהַקּוֹרָהthe beamבְּתוֹךְinsideהַמָּבוֹיthe alleywayוַעֲקֻמָּהbut crookedחוּץoutsideלַמָּבוֹי.the alleywayאוֹorשֶׁהָיְתָהthat it wasעֲקֻמָּהcrookedלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyאוֹorלְמַטָּהbelowמֵעֲשָׂרָה.tenרוֹאִיןwe viewכּלanyשֶׁאִלּוּthat ifיִנָּטֵלwere removedהָעִקּוּםthe crookednessוְיִשָּׁאֲרוּand there would remainשְׁנֵיthe two ofרָאשֶׁיהָits endsאֵיןthere is notבֵּיןbetweenזֶהthisלָזֶהto thatשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeאֵינוֹhe is notצָרִיךְrequiredלְהָבִיאto bringקוֹרָהa beamאַחֶרֶת.anotherוְאִםand ifלָאוnotצָרִיךְhe is requiredלְהָבִיאto bringקוֹרָהa beamאַחֶרֶת:another
This halacha discusses the geometric requirements of a crossbeam spanning an alleyway, including how to evaluate crooked or rounded beams.
הל׳ כז
דִּין פַּסֵּי בֵּירָאוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 27 · The Enclosure of Boards Around a Well on Shabbos
בְּאֵרA wellשֶׁעָשָׂהthat one madeלָהּfor itשְׁמוֹנָהeightפַּסִּיןboardsמֵאַרְבַּעfrom fourזָוִיּוֹתcornersשְׁנֵיtwoפַּסִּיןboardsדְּבוּקִיןattachedבְּכָלat eachזָוִיתcornerהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseכִּמְחִצָּה.are like a partitionוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהַפָּרוּץthe breached portionמְרֻבֶּהis greaterעַלthanהָעוֹמֵדthe standing portionבְּכָלon eachרוּחַdirectionוָרוּחַ.and directionהוֹאִילsinceוְאַרְבַּעthe fourהַזָּוִיּוֹתcornersעוֹמְדוֹתare standingהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedלְמַלְּאוֹתto drawמִןfromהַבְּאֵרthe wellוּלְהַשְׁקוֹתand to waterלִבְהֵמָה.an animalוְכַמָּהAnd how muchיִהְיֶהshall beגֹּבַהּthe height ofכָּלeachפַּסboardמֵהֶןof themעֲשָׂרָהtenטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsוְרָחְבּוֹand its widthשִׁשָּׁהsixטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsוּבֵיןand betweenכָּלeachפַּסboardלְפַסto boardכִּמְלֹאlike the full space ofשְׁתֵּיtwoרִבְקוֹתteamsשֶׁלofאַרְבָּעָהfourאַרְבָּעָהfourבָּקָרcattleאַחַתoneנִכְנֶסֶתenteringוְאַחַתand oneיוֹצְאָה.departingשִׁעוּרthe measure ofרֹחַבthisזֶהwidthאֵיןis notיֶתֶרmoreעַלthanשְׁלֹשׁthirteenעֶשְׂרֵהtenאַמָּהcubitsוּשְׁלִישׁ:and a third
This halacha details the specific dimensions and structure of the corner boards permitted by the Sages to enclose a well for watering animals on Shabbos.
הל׳ כח
דִּין זָוִית הַנַּעֲשֵׂית מֵאֵלֶיהָ בְּעֵרוּבֵי חֲצֵרוֹתHalacha 28 · The Status of Natural Corners and Reeds Serving as Corner-Boards
הָיָהIf there wasבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאֶחָדoneמִןofהַזָּוִיּוֹתthe cornersאוֹorבְּכָלin everyזָוִיתcornerמֵאַרְבַּעְתָּןof their fourאֶבֶןa stoneגְּדוֹלָהlargeאוֹorאִילָןa treeאוֹorתֵּלa moundהַמִּתְלַקֵּטthat risesעֲשָׂרָהtenמִתּוֹךְfrom withinאַרְבַּעfourאַמּוֹתcubitsאוֹorחֲבִילָהa bundleשֶׁלofקָנִים.reedsרוֹאִיןwe seeכּלanyשֶׁאִלּוּthat ifיֵחָלֵקit were dividedוְיֵשׁand there isבּוֹin itאַמָּהa cubitלְכָאןto hereוְאַמָּהand a cubitלְכָאןto hereבְּגֹבַהּat a height ofעֲשָׂרָהtenנִדּוֹןit is judgedמִשּׁוּםasזָוִיתa cornerשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itשְׁנֵיtwoפַּסִּין.corner-boardsחֲמִשָּׁהFiveקָנִיםreedsוְאֵיןand there is notבֵּיןbetweenזֶהthis oneלָזֶהto that oneשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeוְיֵשׁand there isבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themשִׁשָּׁהsixטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsלְכָאןto hereוְשִׁשָּׁהand sixטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsלְכָאןto hereנִדּוֹנִיםthey are judgedמִשּׁוּםasזָוִיתa cornerשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itשְׁנֵיtwoפַּסִּין:corner-boards
This halacha discusses how natural obstacles or a series of reeds at a corner can halachically function as two corner-boards for a partition.
הל׳ כט
דִּין הַקְרָבַת וְהַרְחָקַת פַּסֵּי בֵּירָאוֹתHalacha 29 · The Laws of Bringing Close and Distancing Corner Boards of a Well on Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלְהַקְרִיבto bring closeאַרְבַּעfourהַזָּוִיּוֹתthe cornersהָאֵלּוּtheseלִבְאֵר.to a wellוְהוּאand thatשֶׁתִּהְיֶהthere shall beפָּרָהa cowרֹאשָׁהּits headוְרֻבָּהand most of itלִפְנִיםinsideמִןfromהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsוְשׁוֹתָה.and drinkingאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֹאחַזhe holdsרֹאשׁthe head ofהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalעִםwithהַכְּלִיthe vesselשֶׁבּוֹthat in itהַמַּיִםthe waterהוֹאִילsinceוְרֹאשָׁהּand its headוְרֻבָּהand most of itבִּפְנִיםis insideמֻתָּרit is permittedאֲפִלּוּevenלְגָמָל.for a camelהָיוּIf they wereקְרוֹבִיםcloserיֶתֶרmoreמִזֶּהthan thisאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהַשְׁקוֹתto waterמֵהֶןfrom themאֲפִלּוּevenלִגְדִיfor a kidשֶׁהוּאthat itכֻּלּוֹall of itנִכְנָסentersלִפְנִים.insideוּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלְהַרְחִיקto distanceכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאthat it isוּבִלְבַדand providedשֶׁיַּרְבֶּהthat he increasesבְּפַסִּיםwith boardsפְּשׁוּטִיםstraightשֶׁמַּנִּיחִיןthat they placeאוֹתָןthemבְּכָלon everyרוּחַdirectionוְרוּחַand directionכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאthere shall beבֵּיןbetweenפַּסa boardלַחֲבֵרוֹto its fellowיוֹתֵרmoreעַלthanשְׁלֹשׁthreeעֶשְׂרֵהtenאַמָּהcubitsוּשְׁלִישׁ:and a third
This halacha defines the minimum and maximum distances allowed between the corner boards and the well to permit drawing water on Shabbos.
הל׳ ל
הֶתֵּר פַּסֵּי בֵּירָאוֹת לְעוֹלֵי רְגָלִיםHalacha 30 · The Leniency of Corner Boards for Festive Pilgrims
לֹאNotהִתִּירוּdid they permitהַפַּסִּיםthe corner-boardsהָאֵלּוּtheseאֶלָּאexceptבְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוּלְבֶהֱמַתand for the animal ofעוֹלֵיthe pilgrims ofרְגָלִיםthe festivalsבִּלְבַדonlyוְהוּאand that isשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat it should beבְּאֵרa well ofמַיִםwaterחַיִּיםlivingשֶׁלofרַבִּים.the publicאֲבָלbutבִּשְׁאָרin otherאֲרָצוֹתlandsאָדָםa personיֵרֵדmust descendלַבְּאֵרto the wellוְיִשְׁתֶּהand drinkאוֹorיַעֲשֶׂהhe must makeלוֹfor himselfמְחִצָּהa partitionמַקֶּפֶתsurroundingלַבְּאֵרthe wellגְּבוֹהָהhighעֲשָׂרָהtenטְפָחִיםtefachimוְיַעֲמֹדand standבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itוְיִדְלֶהand drawוְיִשְׁתֶּה.and drinkוְאִםand ifהָיָהwasהַבְּאֵרthe wellרָחָבwideהַרְבֵּהveryשֶׁאֵיןthat notאָדָםa personיָכוֹלis ableלֵירֵדto descendבּוֹinto itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisיִדְלֶהone may drawוְיִשְׁתֶּהand drinkבֵּיןbetweenהַפַּסִּין:the corner-boards
The leniency of using corner-boards around a well was restricted to public fresh-water wells in Eretz Yisrael for the animals of festival pilgrims.
הל׳ לא
אִסּוּר שְׁאִיבַת מַיִם מִבּוֹר וּבְאֵר בְּלִי מְחִצָּהHalacha 31 · Drawing Water from Public Cisterns and Private Wells on Shabbos
וְכֵןAnd soבּוֹרa cistern ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicוּבְאֵרand a well ofהַיָּחִידan individualאֲפִלּוּevenבְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֵיןwe do notמְמַלְּאִיןdraw waterמֵהֶןfrom themאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·עָשׂוּthey madeלָהֶןfor themמְחִצָּהa partitionגְּבוֹהָהhighעֲשָׂרָהtenטְפָחִים:tefachim
The Sages prohibited drawing water from certain public cisterns or private wells on Shabbos unless a halachic partition of ten handbreadths is erected.
הל׳ לב
דִּין הַשְׁקָאַת בְּהֵמָה בֵּין הַפַּסִּיםHalacha 32 · Watering an Animal Between the Boards of an Enclosure on Shabbos
הַמְמַלֵּאOne who drawsלִבְהֶמְתּוֹfor his animalבֵּיןbetweenהַפַּסִּיםthe boardsמְמַלֵּאdrawsוְנוֹתֵןand placesבִּכְלִיin a vesselלְפָנֶיהָ.before itוְאִםAnd ifהָיָהthere wasאֵבוּסa troughרֹאשׁוֹwhose headנִכְנָסentersלְבֵיןbetweenהַפַּסִּיםthe boardsוְהָיָהand it wasגָּבוֹהַּhighעֲשָׂרָהtenוְרָחָבand wideאַרְבָּעָהfourלֹאhe should notיְמַלֵּאdrawוְיִתֵּןand placeלְפָנֶיהָbefore itשֶׁמָּאlestיִתְקַלְקֵלit becomes brokenהָאֵבוּסthe troughוְיוֹצִיאand he will carry outהַדְּלִיthe bucketלָאֵבוּסto the troughוּמִןand fromהָאֵבוּסthe troughלְקַרְקַעto the ground ofרְשׁוּתdomain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicאֶלָּאratherמְמַלֵּאhe drawsוְשׁוֹפֵךְand poursוְהִיאand itשׁוֹתָהdrinksמֵאֵלֶיהָ:by itself
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic restrictions on drawing water for an animal near a trough that projects into a public domain.
הל׳ לג
דִּין זְרִיקָה לְבֵין פַּסֵּי בֵּירָאוֹת וְהַשְׁקָאַת בְּהֵמָהHalacha 33 · The Law of Throwing Between Well Boards and Watering Animals Therein
הַזּוֹרֵקOne who throwsמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicלְבֵיןinto betweenהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsחַיָּבis liableהוֹאִילsinceוְיֵשׁand there isבְּכָלin everyזָוִיתcornerוְזָוִיתand cornerמְחִצָּהa partitionגְּמוּרָהcompleteשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itגֹּבַהּa height ofעֲשָׂרָהtenוְיוֹתֵרand moreמֵאַרְבָּעָהthan fourעַלbyאַרְבָּעָהfourוַהֲרֵיand beholdהָרִבּוּעַthe squareנִכָּרis recognizableוְנִרְאֶהand visibleוְנַעֲשָׂהand becomesכָּלallשֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶםthat is between themרְשׁוּתa domainהַיָּחִיד.of the individualוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהָיָהif it wasבְּבִקְעָהin a valleyוְאֵיןand there is notשָׁםthereבֵּינֵיהֶםbetween themבְּאֵרa wellשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdבְּכָלon everyרוּחַsideוְרוּחַand sideפַּסthere is a boardמִכָּאןfrom hereוּפַסand a boardמִכָּאן.from hereוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהָיוּif there wereרַבִּיםmanyבּוֹקְעִיןtraversingוְעוֹבְרִיןand passingבֵּיןbetweenהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsלֹאnotבָּטְלוּnullifiedהַמְּחִצּוֹתthe partitionsוַהֲרֵיand beholdהֵןtheyכַּחֲצֵרוֹתare like courtyardsשֶׁהָרַבִּיםthat the publicבּוֹקְעִיןtraverseבָּהֶןin themוְהַזּוֹרֵקand one who throwsלְתוֹכָןinto themחַיָּב.is liableוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְהַשְׁקוֹתto waterהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themאִםifהָיָהthere wasבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themבְּאֵר:a well
This halacha discusses the status of the enclosure formed by corner-boards around a well, defining it as a private domain even in a public valley.
הל׳ לד
דִּין פַּסֵּי בֵּירָאוֹת וּמָבוֹי שֶׁנִּטְּלָה קוֹרָתוֹ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 34 · The Laws of Enclosures Around a Well and an Alleyway Whose Beam Was Removed on Shabbos
חָצֵרA courtyardשֶׁרֹאשָׁהּwhose headאֶחָדoneנִכְנָסentersלְבֵיןbetweenהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsמֻתָּרit is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryמִתּוֹכָהּfrom its midstלְבֵיןto betweenהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsוּמִבֵּיןand from betweenהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsלְתוֹכָהּ.into its midstהָיוּIf there wereשְׁתֵּיtwoחֲצֵרוֹתcourtyardsאֲסוּרִיןthey are forbiddenעַדuntilשֶׁיְּעָרְבוּ.they make an eruvיָבְשׁוּIf dried upהַמַּיִםthe waterבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְטַלְטֵלto carryבֵּיןbetweenהַפַּסִּיןthe boardsשֶׁלֹּאfor notנֶחְשְׁבוּwere they consideredמְחִצָּהa partitionלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּתוֹכָןwithin themאֶלָּאexceptמִשּׁוּםbecause ofהַמַּיִם.the waterבָּאוּIf cameלוֹto itמַיִםwaterבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמֻתָּרit is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבֵּינֵיהֶן.between themשֶׁכָּלfor anyמְחִצָּהpartitionשֶׁנַּעֲשֵׂיתthat is madeבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשְׁמָהּis calledמְחִצָּה.a partitionמָבוֹיAn alleywayשֶׁנִּטְּלָהwhose beam was removedקוֹרָתוֹits beamאוֹorלֶחְיוֹits side-postבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְטַלְטֵלto carryבּוֹin itאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנִּפְרַץit openedלְכַרְמְלִית:to a carmelit
This halacha discusses carrying between a courtyard and a well enclosure, the effect of water drying up or returning on Shabbos, and the status of an alleyway if its halachic partition is removed on Shabbos.
הל׳ לה
דִּין אַכְסַדְרָה וּפִרְצָה בְּקֶרֶן זָוִית בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 35 · The Law of an Excedra and a Breach in a Corner on Shabbos
אַכְסַדְרָהAn excedraבַּבִּקְעָהin the open fieldמֻתָּרis permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכֻלָּהּin all of itוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִיאthat itבַּתis ofשָׁלֹשׁthreeמְחִצּוֹתwallsוְתִקְרָה.and a roofשֶׁאָנוּfor weרוֹאִיןviewכְּאִלּוּas ifפִּיthe edge ofתִּקְרָהthe roofיוֹרֵדdescendsוְסוֹתֵםand closesרוּחַthe sideרְבִיעִית.fourthוְהַזּוֹרֵקand one who throwsמֵרְשׁוּתfrom the domain ofהָרַבִּיםthe publicלְתוֹכָהּinto its interiorפָּטוּרis exemptכְּזוֹרֵקlike one who throwsלְמָבוֹיinto an alleywayסָתוּםclosedשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasלוֹto itקוֹרָה.a beamבַּיִתA houseאוֹorחָצֵרa courtyardשֶׁנִּפְרַץthat was breachedקֶרֶןthe cornerזָוִיתangleשֶׁלָּהּof itבְּעֶשֶׂרby tenאַמּוֹתcubitsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכֻלּוֹin all of itאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁכָּלthat everyפִּרְצָהbreachשֶׁהִיאthat isעַדup toעֶשֶׂרtenאַמּוֹתcubitsכְּפֶתַח.is like an entranceאֵיןwe do notעוֹשִׂיןmakeפֶּתַחan entranceבְּקֶרֶןin a cornerזָוִית.angleוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהthere wasשָׁםthereקוֹרָהa beamמִלְּמַעְלָהfrom aboveעַלoverאֹרֶךְthe length ofהַפִּרְצָהthe breachרוֹאִיןwe viewאוֹתָהּitשֶׁיָּרְדָהthat it descendsוְסָתְמָהand closesוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלְטַלְטֵלto carryבְּכֻלּוֹin all of itוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאprovided thatתִּהְיֶהit is notבַּאֲלַכְסוֹן:at an angle
This halacha discusses the application of the principle that the edge of a roof is considered to descend and close an opening, and how this applies to an excedra and a breached corner.
הל׳ לו
מִדּוֹת הָאֶצְבַּע הַטֶּפַח וְהָאַמָּה לְעִנְיַן שַׁבָּת סֻכָּה וְכִלְאַיִםHalacha 36 · The Measurements of the Fingerbreadth, Handbreadth, and Cubit for Shabbos, Sukkah, and Kilayim
הָאֶצְבַּעThe fingerbreadthשֶׁמְּשַׁעֲרִיןthat we measureבָּהּwith itבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceהִיאitרֹחַבis the width ofהַגּוּדָלthe thumbשֶׁלofיָד.the handוְהַטֶּפַחand the handbreadthאַרְבַּעis fourאֶצְבָּעוֹת.fingerbreadthsוְכָלand everyאַמָּהcubitהָאֲמוּרָהthat is mentionedבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceבֵּיןwhetherבְּשַׁבָּתregarding Shabbosבֵּיןwhetherבְּסֻכָּהregarding sukkahוְכִלְאַיִםand kilayimהִיאitאַמָּהis a cubitבַּתofשִׁשָּׁהsixטְפָחִים.handbreadthsוּפְעָמִיםand sometimesמְשַׁעֲרִיןwe measureבְּאַמָּהwith a cubitבַּתofשִׁשָּׁהsixטְפָחִיםhandbreadthsדְּחוּקוֹתpressedזוֹthisלְזוֹ.to thisוּפְעָמִיםand sometimesמְשַׁעֲרִיןwe measureבְּאַמָּהwith a cubitבַּתofשִׁשָּׁהsixשׂוֹחֲקוֹתlooseוְרוֹוְחוֹתand spaciousוְזֶהand thisוָזֶהand thisלְהַחֲמִיר.is to be stringentכֵּיצַד.how soמֶשֶׁךְthe length ofמָבוֹיan alleywayבְּאַרְבַּעis fourאַמּוֹתcubitsשׂוֹחֲקוֹתlooseוְגָבְהוֹand its heightעֶשְׂרִיםis twentyאַמָּהcubitsעֲצֵבוֹת.constrictedרֹחַבthe width ofהַפִּרְצָהthe breachעֶשֶׂרis tenאַמּוֹתcubitsעֲצֵבוֹת.constrictedוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themלְעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofסֻכָּהsukkahוְכִלְאַיִם:and kilayim
This halacha defines the standard measurements of a fingerbreadth, handbreadth, and cubit, and explains when to apply constricted versus loose cubits to ensure a stringent ruling.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
This chapter outlines the practical halachos for permitting carrying in different types of lanes on Shabbos. For a closed lane with three walls, the Chachamim required either a lechi or a korah at the fourth side to render it a private domain, whereas an open lane requires a tzuras hapesach (the frame of an entrance) on one side and a lechi or korah on the other. We also learn that lanes with natural barriers, such as a steep incline, a public garbage dump, or the sea, do not require additional rectifications because they are already distinct from the public domain. Finally, the Rambam clarifies the status of an open lane that terminates in a shared courtyard, explaining when the layout itself acts as a barrier and when it requires further measures.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
My dear talmid, look at how the Torah views our boundaries. The Gemara teaches us that a lane with three walls is already considered a private domain according to the Torah, yet the Chachamim required us to place a lechi (a side-post) or a korah (a crossbeam) at the fourth, open side. Why? To create a recognizable sign, an "heker." This small, simple physical marker completely transforms the space, reminding everyone who enters that they are stepping into a distinct, protected domain.
In our daily avodah, we often find ourselves living in a "maboy"—a lane of life that is mostly structured and holy, yet has one side completely open to the distractions and negative influences of the street. We might think we need to build massive, impenetrable stone walls to protect our yiras Shamayim and our families. But the halachah teaches us a profound secret: sometimes, even a small, symbolic boundary—a single daily commitment, a small fence we make for ourselves—is enough to redefine our entire environment.
Think about your day. Where is your "fourth side" open to the public domain? Is it the way you use your phone, the topics you discuss at the Shabbos table, or the first few minutes after you wake up? You do not need to completely shut yourself off from the world to remain holy. You just need to establish a clear "heker"—a small, firm boundary that says, "From this point on, I am in the domain of Hashem."
Today, identify one area in your life that feels too open to the outside world, and establish a small, concrete boundary—a personal "lechi"—such as committing to not looking at your phone for the first thirty minutes of the day, to keep that space holy.