Halachah 1 — Enclosures Not Made for Dwelling
An area enclosed by walls at least ten handbreadths high is considered a private domain with regard to liability for transferring between it and the public domain. However, if the enclosure was not made for residence, such as a garden, orchard, or storage yard, restrictions apply.
If the area is small enough (no more than the space needed to sow two se’ah), carrying is permitted throughout. If it is larger, carrying is restricted to four cubits, similar to a carmelit.
This establishes that enclosure alone does not grant full permission. The purpose of the enclosure is critical.
Halachah 2 — Elevated Surfaces and Rocks
An elevated surface at least ten handbreadths high is treated similarly. If its size is within the two‑se’ah limit, carrying is allowed throughout; if larger, carrying is limited.
A rock in the sea illustrates a nuanced case. If it is less than ten handbreadths high, it is part of the carmelit (the sea). If it is higher and within the size limit, carrying on it is permitted, but transferring between it and the sea is restricted by Rabbinic decree. If it is larger than the limit, the unusual nature of the case leads to leniency.
Halachah 3 — Measurement of Two Se’ah
The standard measure for permitted enclosure is defined as the space needed to sow two se’ah of grain, approximately 5000 square cubits.
This measure applies regardless of shape—square, circular, or irregular. The Rambam emphasizes that halachic evaluation depends on total area, not form.
Halachah 4 — Shape of the Enclosure
Even if an enclosure is within the size limit, its shape matters. If its length is up to twice its width, carrying remains permitted. If it becomes more elongated, even slightly beyond that ratio, the entire area is restricted.
This rule is derived from the layout of the courtyard of the Sanctuary, which serves as the model.
Halachah 5 — Converting to a Residential Enclosure
An enclosure originally not intended for dwelling can be made permitted by altering it.
This is done by:
- opening a section of the wall, and
- rebuilding it with the intent of habitation.
Even gradual reconstruction (one section at a time) is effective. Once the enclosure is halachically redefined as residential, carrying is permitted throughout, regardless of size.
Halachah 6 — Effect of Crops, Trees, and Water
An enclosure loses its residential character if it becomes dominated by planted crops, as it now resembles a garden. If crops occupy most of the space and exceed the two‑se’ah limit, carrying is restricted.
If only a smaller portion is planted, permission may remain.
Trees are different: they do not negate the residential character, and the enclosure remains permitted.
Water similarly depends on its use:
- if suitable for human use → treated like trees (permitted),
- if not → treated like a non-residential area (restricted).
Halachah 7 — Roofed Sections and Openings
If a portion of a non-residential enclosure is covered by a roof, that section may redefine the use of the area and allow carrying throughout, based on the principle that the edge of the roof is treated as descending walls.
However, if the enclosure is opened into a courtyard and doesn’t regain proper enclosure, the restriction remains. Open connections do not automatically grant permissibility.
Halachah 8 — Reducing the Size of an Enclosure
Simply planting trees does not reduce the considered size of an enclosure. However, structural elements do:
- Building a pillar of sufficient width
- Adding partitions at a proper distance
These can effectively reduce the area.
Small additions within three handbreadths of a wall do not count, as they are considered extensions of the wall itself.
Halachah 9 — Altering Walls
Applying material to a wall can reduce the effective space of an enclosure.
Similarly, building a new wall intended for habitation that replaces or supersedes a previous wall can redefine the enclosure’s status.
However, building on top of an existing wall without changing its function does not create a meaningful halachic change.
Halachah 10 — Yards Behind Houses
A large yard behind houses is treated as non-residential unless specifically adapted.
Even an opening alone is insufficient. One must actively integrate the yard into the residence, including proper enclosure, to permit carrying throughout.
Halachah 11 — Openings to a City
If a yard opens both to a city and another area, a minimal structure such as a post can serve to regulate access and allow carrying within the yard and between it and the city.
Halachah 12–13 — Temporary Enclosures (Caravans)
Individuals in an open area (such as a valley) may create temporary partitions to define their space.
If one or two individuals enclose an area larger than two se’ah, they are limited to four cubits. However, if three or more people establish residence together, they are treated as a caravan and may carry within a much larger space.
This leniency depends on:
- the number of people,
- the size of the usable area,
- and whether the space is actually functional for them.
The status is determined at the beginning of Shabbat, not by later changes.
Halachah 14 — Adjacent Enclosures
If three enclosures are arranged with a narrow middle and wider sides, and each contains a person, they may combine as a group and carry more freely.
If the middle is wider, the enclosures are considered separate, and the leniency does not apply.
This halachah demonstrates how spatial relationships between areas affect their collective status.
Halachah 15 — Requirements for Valid Partitions
A valid partition must:
- withstand an ordinary wind,
- be durable,
- not be merely for modesty,
- and be at least ten handbreadths high.
Combined structures (such as a mound plus a wall) may function together to reach the required height.
Halachah 16 — Openings in Partitions
If the open spaces in a wall are greater than the closed spaces, the partition is invalid.
If they are equal or less, the partition remains valid, provided no opening exceeds ten cubits. Wider openings must be structured as a doorway frame to remain valid.
Halachah 17–18 — Small Gaps and the Principle of Lavud
Openings of less than three handbreadths are ignored and treated as closed.
This allows partitions made of spaced materials—such as reeds or ropes—to be valid as long as the gaps are small enough.
Halachah 19–20 — Doorway Frames
A valid doorway frame consists of vertical posts and a horizontal beam above.
It need not physically connect, as long as the structure is recognizable and strong enough to support a door.
Archways may qualify if their vertical sides meet the minimum height. However, entrance frames placed at the corner of a wall are not valid, because that is not a normal doorway location.
Halachah 21–23 — Types of Partitions
Partitions may be made from:
- objects,
- food,
- animals,
- or even people.
A human partition is allowed only if the participants are unaware of their role, and the arrangement is not manipulated directly by the one benefiting from it.
Partitions that arise naturally or are built unintentionally on Shabbat may be used, but not if they were intentionally designed to create a Shabbat allowance.
Halachah 24 — Using Tree Branches as Partitions
Low-hanging branches that come within three handbreadths of the ground may serve as a partition if secured properly.
If the enclosed area beneath the tree is small enough, carrying is permitted. If it exceeds the two‑se’ah limit, carrying is restricted.