Halachah 1 — Weapons: Garments vs Burdens
The Rambam distinguishes between items worn as garments and those carried as tools.
Armor such as a coat of mail, helmet, or iron boots is considered clothing, and one is not liable for wearing it. However, weapons such as swords, spears, bows, and shields are not garments but objects typically carried. Therefore, going out with them constitutes carrying and creates liability.
The defining factor is not the object itself, but whether it is worn as clothing or carried as an item.
Halachah 2 — Prohibited Sandals and Permitted Jewelry
The Sages forbade wearing sandals studded with nails, even on festivals, due to historical and safety concerns. This reflects a decree unrelated to carrying itself but still binding on Shabbat.
By contrast, luxurious belts decorated with gold and silver are permitted if they are worn securely, because they are considered jewelry. The concern is only that they must not fall off, which might lead one to pick them up and carry them.
Halachah 3 — Rings and Social Function
A ring with a seal is considered proper for a man but not for a woman. A ring without a seal is considered appropriate for a woman but not for a man.
If a person wears a ring not suited to their gender role, they are liable. Even though this seems atypical, the Rambam explains that such situations do occur occasionally, and therefore halachah considers this a normal manner of carrying.
Halachah 4 — Jewelry and Rabbinic Restrictions
Even permitted jewelry is sometimes restricted for women due to the concern that they might remove it to show others and then carry it. Therefore:
- A woman should not go out with jewelry likely to be removed and shown.
- If she does, she is not liable, because the prohibition is Rabbinic.
Men, by contrast, are not usually assumed to show jewelry, so they are permitted more broadly.
Halachah 5 — Pins and General Rules of Jewelry
The Rambam develops general principles:
- An item not used as clothing or jewelry creates liability.
- Items that may fall or be shown are forbidden but do not incur liability.
- Secure, non-showy jewelry is permitted.
Pins illustrate this distinction: some are considered ornaments for women but not for men, leading to opposite rulings for each.
Halachah 6 — Head Decorations and Risk of Removal
Various head adornments are prohibited for women, including strands, frontlets, gold ornaments, and ankle chains. The consistent concern is that they may fall or be removed and carried.
Again, the Sages restrict not the wearing itself, but the risk of subsequent carrying.
Halachah 7 — Jewelry That May Be Removed or Displayed
Items such as necklaces, nose rings, perfume holders, wigs, pads, and cosmetic dental coverings are prohibited for a woman to wear in public on Shabbat.
The primary concern is that she might remove them to show a friend or adjust them, which would lead to carrying.
Halachah 8 — Courtyard Restrictions
The Rambam extends these restrictions even to unenclosed courtyards, not only public domains.
An exception is made for items necessary to maintain a woman’s appearance for her husband, such as wigs and facial pads. This demonstrates a balance between Shabbat restrictions and human dignity.
Halachah 9–10 — Hair Adornments
Hair that is attached to the head may be worn because it does not need to be removed for immersion. There is no concern of removal and carrying.
However, if the adornment is attractive and might be shown to others, restrictions remain.
Certain refined adornments, worn by dignified women unlikely to remove them, are permitted.
Halachah 11 — Medical and Cleanliness Items
Items used for bodily needs may be worn:
- wadding in the ear or shoe,
- menstrual cloths,
These are permitted because even if they fall, they are unpleasant and would not be carried.
Halachah 12 — Mouth and Clothing Accessories
Substances placed in the mouth to prevent bad breath may be worn if inserted before Shabbat.
Improvised fastenings for garments—using stones or nuts—are allowed if they serve a functional purpose and are not a pretext to carry.
Coins, however, cannot be intentionally used, as they are clearly objects of value.
Halachah 13 — Medical Items and Remedies
A man may go out with:
- coverings on wounds,
- medicinal items such as garlic skins or bandages,
- recognized remedies such as coins on sores or certain traditional curative objects.
The key requirement is that these items serve a genuine therapeutic purpose recognized by practitioners.
Halachah 14 — Amulets and Protective Objects
Amulets may be worn if they have proven effective. This can be established either by repeated success of the amulet itself or the practitioner who made it.
Unproven amulets are not permitted as true garments, though one is not liable for wearing them. Tefillin, similarly, are not considered a burden and do not generate liability when worn.
Halachah 15 — Footwear and Garments
Specific footwear rules are given:
- One may wear a sandal only on the injured foot.
- Loose or new footwear should not be worn, as it may fall off.
- Artificial limbs or wooden footwear are restricted.
The guiding concern is whether the item will stay securely in place.
Halachah 16 — Head Coverings and Medical Wraps
Men may wear certain medical coverings or head wraps if they have demonstrated use before Shabbat or have been treated in a way that shows intent to use them.
Without such prior indication, their use is prohibited due to uncertainty about their status as garments.
Halachah 17 — Protection from the Rain
Rough fabrics, cloaks, and garments intended for protection from rain are permitted. However, rigid items such as boards or containers may not be worn for this purpose, because they are not considered clothing.
The definition of a garment depends on whether it resembles typical wearable attire.
Halachah 18–19 — Bells, Garments, and Folding Clothes
Bells sewn into garments are permitted. Certain seals and identifiers may be worn by servants under specific circumstances.
Folding garments over the shoulder is permitted if this is the normal style in that place. If done for convenience rather than fashion, it becomes prohibited, as it resembles carrying rather than wearing.
Halachah 20 — Tzitzit and Garment Attachments
Fringes that are integral to a garment are considered decorative and not a burden. Valid tzitzit are therefore permitted.
Invalid tzitzit, however, are considered important to the wearer (since they require fixing), and thus they are treated as a load, creating liability.
Halachah 21 — Tools of Craftsmen
Artisans may not go out carrying tools in their usual working positions (such as behind the ear). If they do so, they are not liable because this method is not considered the standard form of carrying.
This demonstrates that “normal carrying” is defined broadly, not by individual profession alone.
Halachah 22 — Special Case: Zav
A zav (a person with a certain impurity discharge) carrying his receptacle is liable, because this is the normal way that such an object is used and transported.
Even though his purpose is only to prevent soiling, the act is still considered a full melachah.
Halachah 23–24 — Retrieving Tefillin
If one finds tefillin in a public domain, he may wear them and bring them into a house in stages.
If there are many, and time is insufficient, he may guard them or pass them hand-to-hand within four cubits. In dangerous situations, he may conceal them and leave.
Halachah 25 — Torah Scroll
A Torah scroll found in a public domain should be guarded. In rain, one may wrap it and carry it normally to protect it.
The preservation of sacred objects justifies certain leniencies.
Halachah 26 — Preventive Measures Before Shabbat
Finally, the Rambam emphasizes prevention:
- artisans should not go out shortly before Shabbat with tools in hand,
- one should check clothing before Shabbat to avoid accidental carrying.
Tefillin may be worn because their presence constantly reminds the wearer.
If one forgets and goes out wearing tefillin, he should cover them until he reaches a proper place.
Core Principle of the Chapter
This chapter establishes a unified rule:
Anything worn as a normal garment or secure ornament is permitted; anything likely to fall, be removed, or be treated as an object is restricted.