Walking alone at night

Walking alone at night:[1] [Talmud/ Shulchan  Aruch/Shulchan  Aruch Harav/Achronim]

One may not walk alone at night [on any night of the week[2]].[3] [In Talmudic times, this especially applied to Tuesday night and Friday night.[4] This especially applies when traveling.[5] This especially applies when walking in an unsettled area, outside of the city, and one who does so is considered a Shoteh.[6] From some sources, however, it is evident that this prohibition applies only to a Torah scholar.[7] Likewise, from some sources it is evident that this prohibition only applies when traveling outside of the city, in which case we say that he should not begin his travels prior to the rooster’s crow if he is traveling alone.[8] However, within the city, there is no worry of walking alone at night.[9] Likewise, in any area in which there are other people passing by, it is not considered that one is walking alone, even though he is walking by himself.[10] Furthermore, some Poskim[11] suggest that the prohibition only applies when walking alone in the dark, however, if the area is lit, then there is no prohibition to walk alone.]

Woman after Mikveh:[12] It is dangerous for a woman to walk home alone after immersing in a Mikveh. [If, however, she has a lit candle, or flashlight, in her hand, then there is no worry.[13]]

Woman carrying water: [14] It is dangerous for a woman to draw water alone [at night]. [If, however, she has a lit candle, or flashlight, in her hand, then there is no worry.[15]]

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^[1] Admur Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh Halacha 6 in parentheses [This is written in parentheses due to all the doubts and contradictions raised by Admur in Kuntrus Achron 1]; Admur 110:9 regarding travel without parentheses “If he does not go at night”; Rama Y.D. 116:5 “It is forbidden to walk alone at night”; Pesachim 112b; Riy Pesachim 2a; Maharsha Chulin 91a; Kitzur SHU”A 33:7; Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 116:96; See Brachos 43; Yuma 21a; Shemiras Hanefesh Kehilchasa 7:21; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 109:1-5

[2] See Admur ibid and ibid and Kuntrus Achron ibid; Rama ibid; Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh footnote 2 in length; See Pesachim 112b, Chulin 91a

[3] The reason: This is due to worry of demons/Mazikin. [Admur 110:9]

[4] See Admur Kuntrus Achron ibid; Sefer Zechira; Tosefes Chaim on Chayeh Adam 6

The reason: See Pesachim 113a that on these nights the demon Igeres Bas Machlas is found and there is therefore more worry of damage. Likewise, the Mazikim would pass with their horses in the alleyways specifically on these nights and cause damage. [Pesachim 113a; Kuntrus Achron ibid]

[5] See Yuma 21a; Admur Kuntrus Achron 6:1; Admur 110:9

[6] See Turei Even Chagiga 3a; Tosafus Sanhedrin 44a; Imreiy Yaakov 10:24

[7] Admur Kuntrus Achron 6:1; Brachos 43; Chulin 91a; Tosafus Chulin ibid; Rambam Deios 5:9 only records the prohibition to walk alone regarding a Torah scholar and not regarding a regular person

The reason: This is forbidden only for a Torah scholar being that it is unbefitting for him to walk alone, and also due to that people may suspect him of sin. [Admur ibid; Rambam ibid] However, due to Mazikin, it is no longer prohibited upon the individual, being that Abayey banished the Mazikin from the cities.

[8] Yuma 21a, brought in Kuntrus Achron ibid; Pesachim 2a; See also Avos 3:4; Shulchan Chaiy; Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh 2:2

The reason: As there are Mazikin found by the road. [Rashi Yuma ibid]

[9] Turei Even Chagiga 3a; Shemiras Hanefesh Kehilchasa 7:21

The reason: As Abayey got rid of the Mazikin from within the cities, and there is hence no longer any worry. [Turei Even; Shemiras Hanefesh Kehilchasa 7:21; See Pesachim 112b]

[10] See Ashel Avraham Butchach 551:18; Brachos 43b; M”B 90:14; Shemiras Hanefesh Kehilchasa 7:21; Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh 109:3

[11] Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 68:4 and Kuntrus Achron 4; Shemiras Hanefesh Kehilchasa 7:21; Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh 109:2

[12] Zivcheiy Tzedek Y.D. 116:125; Nishmas Chaim Mamar Shelishi 10; Shemiras Hanefesh 132; Kaf Hachaim 240:15; Y.D. 116:179

[13] Shemira Meialya 73; Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 116:179

[14] Zivcheiy Tzedek Y.D. 116:125; Nishmas Chaim Mamar Shelishi 10; Shemiras Hanefesh 132; Kaf Hachaim 240:15; Y.D. 116:179

[15] Shemira Meialya 73; Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 116:179