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One of the 39 Melachot which one is prohibited to do on [[Shabbat]] is [[Hotzah]], [[carrying]] from one domain to another. In general, one may not carry from a public domain to a private one, or visa versa. Additionally, one may not carry 4 [[amot]] in a public domain.<ref>The first Mishna in Maseches Shabbos explains that there is an issur deoraisa for a person to take an object from a reshus hayachid on Shabbos and place the object into a reshus harabim or vise versa. One who does so has violated Hotzah. There is also a rabbinic prohibition to do half of the melacha, by either picking up the object (''akira'') in order to transfer it or to place it down (''hanacha'') after it has been transferred. The Gemara (Shabbos 4a) indicates that ''akira'' and ''hanacha'' are only prohibited if the object is placed or removed from a platform of four by four tefachim. Interestingly, the Gemara (5a) states that a person’s hand is treated as if it is four by four tefachim.</ref> The definition of these domains and the exceptions under which a person may carry are described below. For a broader perspective about [[carrying on Shabbat]] and the modern Eruv, see our [[Introduction to the Modern Eruv]], [[Mechitzot]], [[Eruv Chatzerot]], and [[Sechirut Reshut]] pages.
==Source==
#The source of Meleches Hotzah is a major machlokes Rishonim.<ref>Rashi Mishna 2a states that the source for Hotzah is “Vayichale ha’am me’havee” (Shemot 36:6) in which Moshe Rabbeinu commands Klal Yisroel to stop bringing donations for the Mishkan. However, the Ri (Eruvin 17b, Shabbos 2a) states that the source for Hotzah is “Al yaytzay ish mimkomo” (Shemot 16:29) which states that one may not leave one’s domain while carrying. It is imperative to point out that while most melachos are learned from the construction of the mishkan, Hotzah requires pesukim be established as a melacha. Tosfot and Ramban on 2a both address this inconsistency and explain that since Meleches Hotzah is inferior, or ''garuah, ''in nature (See their respective explanations what exactly the deficiency is, see also Ohr Zarua’s siman 82) it requires pesukim to clarify that it still is considered one of the 39 melachos and was also done in the Mishkan.(See Tos 96b)<br />
This concept of ''Melacha Garua'' has a considerable amount of practical applications. For instance, the Chayei Adam (Shabbos 9:11) states that an object that has been illicitly carried on Shabbos may still be used, in contrast to other melakhot which, when violated, taint the object with a rabbinical prohibition preventing one from using the object. Furthermore, some rishonim understand that the reason the Talmud says that eiruvin is not required on Yom Tov is because Hotzah falls short of the status of a complete melakhah. See also Afikei Yam, II, 4:8.The fact that Hotzah is a ''Melacha Garua'' has ramifications also on the source of the toldos. Usually, the toldos of a melacha merely consist of actions resembling the avos logically. However, some Rishonim (See Tos 96b) learn that the toldos of Hotzah must be both similar in svara to the avos from which they are derived and practiced in the mishkan—a characteristic not found in any other melacha. The toldos of Hotzah are haavara (carrying daled amos in reshus harabim), throwing an item from reshus hayachid to reshus harabim and vice versa, throwing an item four amos in reshus harabim, and hoshata (transferring a chefetz from reshus hayachid to an adjacent reshus hayachid through a makom ptur). (Listed in the first Mishna in Perek Hazorek (96a)) It is a discussion amongst the Rishonim whether hachnasa, transferring something from a reshus harabim to a reshus hayachid, is an av or a toldah. (See Ramban 2b, Rambam Hil Shabbos) </ref>
==Definition of the 4 domains==
==Definition of the 4 domains==
# There is a categorization of 4 domains on Shabbat: the Reshut HaRabim (private domain), Reshut HaYachid (public domain), intermediate area (Karmelit), and exempt area (Makom Patur).<ref>Kitzur S"A 81:1</ref>
 
# A Reshut HaYachid is defined as an area of at least 4 [[Tefachim]] by 4 [[Tefachim]] surrounded by walls of at least 10 [[Tefachim]]. This includes a pit which is 4x4 [[Tefachim]] with walls of 10 [[Tefachim]].<ref>Kitzur 81:2</ref>
#There are 4 categories of domains on [[Shabbat]]: the Reshut HaRabim (public domain), Reshut HaYachid (private domain), intermediate area (Karmelit), and exempt area (Makom Patur).<ref>Shulchan Aruch 345:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:1</ref>
# A Reshut HaRabim is defined as a street which is 16 [[amot]] wide. Some say that if there's not 600,000 people passing through it daily it's not a Reshut HaRabim. <ref>Kitzur S"A 81:3</ref>
#A Reshut HaYachid is defined as an area of at least 4 [[Tefachim]] by 4 [[Tefachim]] surrounded by walls of at least 10 [[Tefachim]]. This includes a pit which is 4x4 [[Tefachim]] with walls of 10 [[Tefachim]].<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:2</ref>
# A Karmelit is defined as an area of 4 Techaim by 4 [[Tefachim]] with walls which are less than 10 [[Tefachim]] in height. It also includes areas where the public doesn't walk and doesn't have proper fencing such as fields, or rivers which are 10 [[Tefachim]] deep.<ref>Kitzur S"A 81:4</ref>
#A Reshut HaRabim is defined as a street which is 16 [[amot]] wide. Some say that if there's not 600,000 people passing through it daily it's not a Reshut HaRabim.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:3. Rav Sar Shalom Goan (Otzar Hageonim Eruvin 6a, Responsa Shaarei Teshuva 209), Rashi (Eruvin 6a s.v. reshut harabbim), [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=21295&pgnum=307 Bahag (Berlin p. 131, quoted by Tosfot Eruvin 6a)], Tosfot (Eruvin 6a s.v. keysad, Shabbat 6b s.v. kaan), Tosfot Rid (Eruvin 59a, Sh"t Harid n. 107), Mordechai (Shabbat n. 294), Agudah Eruvin 5:56, Piskei Rav Menachem Mendel Klausner (Shabbat 6a), Rav Yechezkel Magdeburg (Shabbat 5b), Rivavan (Shabbat 2a), Riaz (Eruvin 1:5, 5:1), Maharam Rotenberg (Karmina n. 69), Rosh (Eruvin 1:8, Beitzah 3:8, Tosfot Harosh Eruvin 6a s.v. keysad), Raavan (Shabbat n. 349; see Hagahot Mordechai (end of ch. 10) who quotes Rabbi Elazar that disagreed with Rashi and Mishkenaot Yakov 120 posits that this is the Raavan.), Ravyah (Hilchot Eruvin n. 379), and Rashbash (responsa n. 559) hold that a city must have 600,000 in order to be a reshut harabbim. Rabbenu Pertz (Eruvin 6a), Ramban (Eruvin 59a s.v. Mishna), Rashba (responsa 1:722), Ritva (Eruvin 59a), Ran (Chidushei Haran Eruvin 6a), Rambam (as cited by Ritva Eruvin 59a), and Rivash (responsa 405) argue.
# A Makom Patur is a place which is less than 4 [[Tefachim]] by 4 [[Tefachim]] but is of at least 3 [[Tefachim]] in height. They are only a Makom Patur when placed in a Reshut HaRabim, but in a Karmelit they are considered like a Karmelit. <ref>Kitzur S"A 81:5</ref>
 
*Ramban makes a suggestion for Rashi that perhaps an intercity highway doesn't need 600,000 to be a reshut harabbim.
*Ran (Meyuchas Lran Shabbat 6b s.v. kaan) in name of Raah writes that even Rashi holds that it isn't necessary to actually have a population of 600,000. It only requires a path that is normally travelled by many people like 600,000 even though they weren't all there simultaneously. Meiri Eruvin 2a agrees.</ref>
#A Karmelit is defined as an area of 4 [[Tefachim]] by 4 [[Tefachim]] with walls which are less than 10 [[Tefachim]] in height. It also includes areas where the public doesn't walk and doesn't have proper fencing such as fields, or rivers which are 10 [[Tefachim]] deep.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:4</ref>
#A Makom Patur is a place which is less than 4 [[Tefachim]] by 4 [[Tefachim]] but is of at least 3 [[Tefachim]] in height. They are only a Makom Patur when placed in a Reshut HaRabim, but in a Karmelit they are considered like a Karmelit.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:5</ref>
 
===Moving a Key in an Entranceway===
 
#If the entranceway in from of a house or building is 4 tefachim wide by 4 tefachim long in front of the door, has two walls on either side and a roof above it, it is a reshut hayachid. Alternatively, if it is 10 tefachim above the ground, and 4x4 tefachim, it is a reshut hayachid. If isn't so high, large, lacks the walls, or roof is considered like the domain that it is facing.<ref>Rama 346:3</ref>
 
===Summary of Dispute Between Mishkenot Yakov and Bet Efraim===
 
#Mishkenot Yakov<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&pgnum=113 Responsa n. 120]</ref> makes 2 independent arguments<ref>One minor argument he tacks on is that even in a mavoy mefulash there is a dispute whether a tzurat hapetach is sufficient. The Rashba and Rabbenu Yehonatan hold that doors are necessary. Even though most rishonim (Rif, Rambam, and Rosh) are lenient about this point, he brings 2 proofs from the gemara for the Rashba.</ref> to challenge all communal eruvin using tzurat hapetach.
##He<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&pgnum=116 s.v. v'ad]</ref> enumerates 16 rishonim who hold that reshut harabbim does not need a population of 600,000 including: Rif,<ref>Eruvin 17b</ref> Rambam,<ref>Hilchot Shabbat 17:33</ref> Rabbenu Tam,<ref>Tosfot Eruvin 6a s.v. keysad, also cited by Ritva Eruvin 59a</ref> Rashbam, Raavan, Ramban, Rashba, Ritva, Ran, Hagahot Mordechai, Rivash, Rash, Riva, Ri Halevi, Mordechai, and Riaz.<ref>See, however, Piskei Riaz 5:1 where he quotes 600,000 as a requirement. This is reiterated in Riaz 1:1:5 that 600,000 is a requirement.</ref> Simultaneously, he argues that really only 5 rishonim hold that 600,000 is necessary including Smak, Smag, Sefer Hatrumah, Roke'ach,<ref>Roke'ach 173 and 175 is clear that he holds like Rashi that a population 600,000 is necessary for a reshut harabbim.</ref> and Maharam. Therefore, he holds that the halacha follows those rishonim who do not require 600,000. Therefore, our cities irrelevant of its population are a reshut harabbim and a tzurat hapetach doesn't work to enclose a reshut harabbim.
##Even according to those who require a population of 600,000, they agree that a wall of a tzurat hapetach is nullified by the travel of all the townspeople, even though they aren't 600,000. This argument rests on the assumption that we hold ''ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta'' (heb. איתי רבים ומבטל מחיצתא; trans. the masses come and nullify the wall). This argument is predicated on the Hagahot Ashri.<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=118 Mishkenot Yakov 120 s.v. amnam] based on Hagahot Ashri (Eruvin 1:8), Tosfot Eruvin 62b s.v. vrebbe, and Ritva Eruvin 22a who sound like ayti rabbim applies even in a non-reshut harabbim.</ref>
##To strengthen his point that even in walled cities a tzurat hapetach is insufficient to close gaps, he argues that a gap of more than 10 amot is deoritta. His biggest proof is that Yerushalayim is considered to be a reshut harabbim in Eruvin 101a and Pesachim 66b, even though it had walls.
#Bet Efraim's<ref>Bet Efraim 26 s.v. u'lifi zeh</ref> defense of modern eruvin is that we follow Rashi that we don't have a reshut harabbim today because our cities lack 600,000 people and the Mishkenot Yakov's understanding of the Hagahot Ashri is incorrect. Furthermore, for walled cities he adds another argument to be lenient since we follow Rabbanan who hold that there's no ''ayti rabbim''.
##Bet Efraim<ref>26 s.v. vachshava</ref> counts 25 rishonim who hold that 600,000 is necessary for a reshut harabbim. They include: Bahag, Rashi, Raavan, Smag, Smak, Roke'ach, Maharam, Rosh, Tur, Mordechai, Sefer Hatrumah, Or Zaruah, Rabbenu Simcha, Rash, Hagahot Maimoni, Hagahot Ashri, Shibolei Haleket, Maharam Rikanti, Aguda, Isur Vheter, Hagahot Iser Vheter, Mahari Vayil, Trumat Hadeshen, Sedah Lderech, and Rabbenu Yerucham.
###Part of their argument in interpreting several rishonim revolves around how to understand the Ritva's explanation of Rashi. Mishkanot Yakov explains that even Rashi meant that 600,000 doesn't actually mean that they need 600,000 people there. It just needs to be a metropolitan area that is open to the masses to live there or visit there for commerce. Bet Efraim argues that the Ritva means that 600,000 do have to live there or travel there with some frequency. If there isn't 600,000 people who live or travel over a period of time<ref>Bet Efraim isn't clear about within what span of time 600,000 must travel to that city. In passing he writes that certainly if 600,000 does not frequent there at least within two years it isn't a reshut harabbim. </ref> certainly it isn't a reshut harabbim. He accepts the Ritva's understanding of Rashi.
##Bet Efraim's tries to prove that we do not hold ''ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta''. Certainly Rambam held that we do not hold ''ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta,''<ref>Bet Efraim 26 s.v. v'atta navo proves this from the Pirush Mishnayot where he writes that we do not follow Rabbi Yehuda about ''ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta''. He also shows that this is his position in Hilchot Shabbat 17:33, as already noted by the Maggid Mishna and Hagahot Maimoni there. In paragraph s.v. ach ma shekatuv harashba, he notes that Rashba 3:269 (cited by Kesef Mishna Shabbat 17:10) understood that Rambam paskens like Rabbi Yehuda, however, Bet Efraim brings several proofs against this.</ref> but he also proves that Rif and Rosh concur with this. Although the Ramban writes that Rif and by implication Rosh hold ''ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta,'' the Bet Efraim disagrees.<ref>Bet Efraim 26 s.v. ivra</ref> By making this argument, Bet Efraim undermines Mishkenot Yakov's second argument altogether.<ref>Bet Efraim 26 s.v. teshuva makes this point that Rif and Rosh pasken like rabbanan from the fact that they quote the Mishna Eruvin 22a without comment and rabbanan are the majority opinion. Another proof is from the fact that they quote the Mishna Taharot cited on 8a, which according to the gemara 22b must be understood like rabbanan (26 s.v. v'od nireh).
 
*In paragraph s.v. v'acharei he proves that Tosfot Eruvin 6b s.v. vha'amar and Tosfot Yeshanim Shabbat 6a ruled like rabbanan.</ref>
###Additionally, Bet Efraim argues with Mishkenot Yakov's understanding of the Hagahot Ashri. According to the Mishkenot Yakov, it is a proof that even without 600,000 a tzurat hapetach is insufficient on the roads used by everyone in town. Bet Efraim argues that without 600,000 tzurat hapetach is sufficient.<ref>Hagahot Ashri (Eruvin 1:8) writes that a tzurat hapetach is sufficient for a ''mavoy mefulash'' only if the inhabitants of a mavoy travel through it, but if all the townspeople travel through the mavoy they would uproot the tzurat hapetach. He concludes with the words of the Ram from Ivra that this point is true even for Rashi that requires a population of 600,000. Mishkenot Yakov interpreted this to mean that even if we hold like Rashi as long as the townspeople travel on this road they invalidate a tzurat hapetach. He adds that this is also the opinion of Tosfot Eruvin 62b s.v. vrabbi [quoted and accepted by Or Zaruah (2:168), Smag (Aseh Derabbanan 1), and Aguda (Eruvin 6:60)]. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. ach el zeh abit argues that he's discussing a case where there is a reshut harabbim on either side of the street in question. According to Rashi, the reshut harabbim requires 600,000 and then if there is 600,000 on either side then the street used by the townspeople in between is also a reshut harabbim.</ref> In understanding the Maharam<ref>In the same vein, they argue about the interpretation of the Maharam who writes that in an area that isn't a reshut harabbim because it lacks 600,000 but is used by the whole town can be permitted with doors. Bet Efraim reads Maharam as saying that even tzurat hapetach is sufficient, while Mishkenot Yakov argues that tzurat hapetach is insufficient and specifically doors are necessary. Igrot Moshe 1:139:3 agrees with Bet Efraim on this point. [Though, Igrot Moshe 1:139:3 writes that even the Maharam agrees with Ri in the case where there are 600,000 and is a karmelit for another reason that it needs doors and perhaps they need to be closed.]</ref> and Ritva<ref>Ritva 22a s.v. derabbanan and kaan writes that doors that close at night are necessary even if the street isn't 16 amot wide. Mishkenot Yakov quotes this as a proof that doors which close are necessary even not for a reshut harabbim if there are masses passing through. Bet Efraim argues that Ritva means that the doors are only necessary if it is a reshut harabbim even though it isn't 16 amot wide since on either side it is a reshut harabbim. </ref> there is a parallel dispute.
###Tangentially, Bet Efraim explains that the Rambam holds that it is sufficient to close off a reshut harabbim with doors that could close even though practically they don't close. Furthermore, he explains that perhaps Rif and Rosh agree with this. However, Shiltei Giborim, Tur and Bet Yosef 364:2 read Rif and Rosh as disputing this point.
##Bet Efraim denies Mishkenot Yakov's claim and holds that specifically within walled cities even a gap more than 10 amot is not deoritta. His answer for Yerushalayim is that it was only a reshut harabbim when the enemies knocked down parts of the walls and more importantly the corners.<ref>Bet Efraim 27 s.v. v'al kol panim mevu'ar</ref>
 
===Aruch Hashulchan===
 
#Aruch Hashulchan<ref>345:16-23</ref> explains that there is only one reshut harabbim in a town that is designated for all of the traffic. However, if a city is open in all directions then there's no singular reshut harabbim and all of the streets aren't a reshut harabbim. His proof is that in the desert the only reshut harabbim was machaneh Levi, but machaneh yisrael had many streets and so it wasn't a reshut harabbim. Also, our marketplaces aren't a reshut harabbim because there are stores also not in the marketplace, so the marketplace isn't a singular place in town for masses to do commerce.<ref>Rav Moshe in OC 5:28 disagreed with this chidush of the Aruch Hashulchan.</ref>
 
===Chazon Ish===
[[Image:eruv-diagram1.png|200px|right]]
 
#Chazon Ish<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14336&st=&pgnum=297 Chazon Ish OC 107:5]</ref> holds if there are three walls of omed merubeh surrounding a street, that street is considered a reshut hayachid.
#Once it is a reshut hayachid, it is as though all of the 4 surrounding walls are closed with walls.<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14336&st=&pgnum=202 Chazon Ish OC 65:45] holds that once an area is a reshut hayachid because of omed merubeh on 3 walls, the area it enclosed is like it has 4 complete walls closing it off. Those walls can then be used to enclose other areas.</ref> Those halachic walls then serve to transform the streets intersecting it into reshiyot hayachid as well.
#In the picture to the left street A is considered a reshut hayachid because it is surrounded with three omed merubeh walls. Then imaginary lines are drawn to enclose streets B, C, and D so that they're broken up in two and each side has omed merubeh on three sides.
 
===Rav Moshe Feinstein's approach to Eruvin===
 
#Rav Moshe Feinstein's<ref>OC 1:139. See also OC 1:138, 4:87-89, 5:28-29, and Hashmata to 4:89.</ref> view was that it is impossible to make an eruv in a very large city such as Manhattan or Brooklyn. He has several specific reasons for his position and a general reason because it'll lead to mistakes in other places.
##The Rashba holds that any marketplace that is at least 16x16 amot is a reshut harabbim even if it is surrounded by walls.<ref>Bet Efraim 26 s.v. vlifi zeh writes that we don't follow this Rashba either because we hold like rabbanan or we follow Rashi and there isn't a population of 600,000.</ref> He argues that according to one interpretation of Rashi even a city with walls and doors that close at night is a karmelit and an eruv is ineffective.
##Each of the bridges independently could be considered a reshut harabbim or at least a karmelit. On this factor by itself, Rav Moshe feels it would be acceptable to be lenient, but certainly it is proper to be strict in conjunction with his other reason.
##According to one interpretation in Rashi, it is impossible to make an eruv in a large city, so that people don't mistakenly extrapolate from there to allow an eruv in a reshut harabbim. That is why the rabbis of the mishna never made one in Yerushalayim.
 
===Summary of Modern Poskim===
====Ramifications of ''Ayti Rabbim''====
 
#Several major rishonim including Ramban, Rashba, Ritva, and Meiri explicitly rule like Rabbi Yehuda. According to Ramban, this is also the view of the Rif and by extension the Rosh.<ref>Rashba 22a s.v. vkayma lan, Ritva 22a s.v. vkayma lan, Meiri Eruvin 18a s.v. v'anan, 20a s.v. vklal all hold like R' Yehuda and not Rabbanan. This also is the opinion of Ramban (Milchamot 6a) in understanding the Rif and Baal Hameor is also concerned for Rabbi Yehuda.</ref> However, the Rabbenu Chananel,<ref>Rabbenu Chananel (Shabbat 101a) proves that we hold like rabbanan from Shabbat 100a.</ref> Rambam, according to most commentaries,<ref>Hilchot Shabbat 17:33 as understood by Maggid Mishna and Hagahot Maimoniyot and also explicit in Pirush Mishnayot (Eruvin 2:4)</ref> Tosfot Rid,<ref>Tosfot Rid (Mehudra Telita Eruvin 22a s.v. vkol) holds like rabbanan.</ref> Riaz,<ref>Riaz (Eruvin 2:1:7) holds like rabbanan. See Menuchat Ahava v. 3 p. 271 who proved that Riaz held like Rabbi Yehuda from earlier (1:1:5), really that is only because of the issue of how to close a reshut harabbim but not because of the issue of ayti rabbim.</ref> Ravyah,<ref>Shabbat 1:201 rules like the opinion of Rabbanan. See also 1:379 where he discusses Rabbi Yochanan but doesn't clarify whether the halacha is like Rabbi Yochanan.</ref> Sefer Hameorot,<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=16123&st=&pgnum=26 Sefer Hameorot (Eruvin 17a)]</ref> Rav Ovadia Mbartenura,<ref>Eruvin 2:4</ref> and Tosfot, according to some, argue that the halacha follows Rabbanan.<ref>Bet Efraim proves that Tosfot Eruvin 6b s.v. vha'amar holds like rabbanan. Rav Chaim Volozhin also assumes Tosfot hold like Rabbanan.</ref> Although Mishkenaot Yakov<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=131 Mishkenot Yakov OC 121 s.v. od] rules like Rabbi Yehuda and rejects the Knesset Yechezkel, Chacham Tzvi, and Mayim Rabbim since they didn't investigate the topic and they're against the rishonim such as Ramban.</ref> and Rav Aharon Kotler<ref>Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6</ref> argue that the halacha follows Rabbi Yehuda because of the Ramban and his understanding the Rif and Rosh, most poskim follow rabbanan.<ref>Shoshanim Ldovid (Eruvin 2:4), Chatom Sofer 1:89 s.v. ma nishar, and Imrei Yosher 1:2 hold like rabbanan. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. vheneh quotes that Magen Avraham 363:30, Chacham Tzvi 37, and Mayim Rabbim 34-35 follow rabbanan. Or Letzion 1:30 and Yabia Omer 9:33 agree with rabbanan. Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar in Or Torah v. 666 p. 780 questioned whether Sephardim should follow Rabbi Yehuda. Menuchat Ahava v. 3 p. 371 also is of the opinion that we follow Rabbi Yehuda.</ref> That is the position of the Bet Efraim<ref>Bet Efraim 26-27</ref> and Chazon Ish.<ref>Chazon Ish OC 107:4</ref> Rav Chaim Volozhin writes that there is what to rely upon to follow rabbanan. Mishna Brurah seems to hold that we do not follow the rabbanan, but their view can be used in conjunction with other factors to validate an eruv.
##According to Rabbi Yehuda, Mishkenot Yakov argues that tzurat hapetach is invalid if it goes over a main street in the town.<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=118 Mishkenot Yakov 120 s.v. amnam] based on Hagahot Ashri (Eruvin 1:8)</ref> Bet Efraim argues with this understanding even within Rabbi Yehuda.<ref>Bet Efraim 26. Biur Halacha 345:9 s.v. vsheni seems to understand Hagahot Ashri like the Bet Efraim that there's reshut harabbim on both sides.</ref> Chazon Ish<ref>Chazon Ish OC 74:9 is lenient because we don't follow the Hagahot Ashri and ayti rabbim depends on a reshut harabbim.</ref> is also lenient for a different reason.
##If there were ''pasi biraot'' surrounding the city, according to the rabbanan, according to the Bet Efraim, the entire town is a reshut hayachid and a tzurat hapetach eruv works. Avnei Nezer accepted this, but Mishkenot Yakov<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=124 Mishkenot Yakov 121 s.v. hayotzei] rejects this because there are gaps more than 10 amot.</ref> and Chazon Ish<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14336&st=&pgnum=321 Chazon Ish 112:5 s.v. vbchazon] writes that a gap of more than 10 for rabbanan or 13.3 amot for Rabbi Yehuda is deoritta when making pasi biraot. However, if there is omed merubeh then a gap of ten is only derabbanan.</ref> reject this concept for different reasons.
##If there are ''omed merubeh'' walls around a city, according to rabbanan, according to the Chazon Ish, the entire city is a reshut hayachid and a tzurat hapetach eruv works.<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14336&st=&pgnum=297 Chazon Ish OC 107:5] holds that omed merubeh is much better than pasi biraot and works mdeoritta even if there are gaps more than 10 amot mdeoritta. His argument assumes that we hold like rabbanan. Rav Chaim Ozer (Achiezer 4:8) agrees with Chazon Ish's idea that omed merubeh walls can enclose a reshut harabbim mdeoritta. Rav Yonatan Shteif (Teshuvot 68) agrees with Chazon Ish's idea that buildings can form omed merubeh. </ref> Bet Efraim and Mishkenot Yakov dispute this understanding even in rabbanan. Rav Moshe Feinstein,<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe OC 5:28:3) explained that omed merubeh doesn't work to enclose a street if the walls, such as building walls, were made to allow public traffic to go through. In Mesoret Moshe v. 1 pp. 124-125 he also quotes that Rav Moshe was vehemently against the Chazon Ish's view on Eruvin because it wasn't how it was assumed until today.</ref> Rav Aharon Kotler,<ref>Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6 explains that omed merubeh can't be constructed from different parts of houses and street walls because omed merubeh can't connect two walls that cross a reshut harabbim, or even a break more than 10 amot. </ref> and Rav Yisrael Belsky<ref>Rav Belsky (Shulchan Halevi ch. 11) held that omed merubeh can't be made up of disparate pieces of a few houses, buildings, fences, etc since each of them are different entities and not seen as one omed merubeh wall.</ref> undermine Chazon Ish's position because walls constructed from buildings and other partitions with streets between them are considered ''omed merubeh''. Some quote Rav Elyashiv as not allowing relying on the Chazon Ish's approach.<ref>Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 3 p. 59 quotes that Rav Elyashiv didn't allow an eruv with three walls that were omed merubeh around a reshut harabbim. In Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 1 he explains Rav Moshe's approach and those who disagree with the Chazon Ish.</ref>
##If an eruv is made completely of tzurot hapetach, according to the rabbanan, according to the Mishna Brurah,<ref>Biur Halacha 364:2 s.v. vachar based on Tosfot Eruvin 11a s.v. iylayma</ref> the eruv is valid mdeoritta.<ref>[http://eruvonline.blogspot.com/2011/08/arichas-shulchan-halevi-rejoinder-to.html Arichat Shulchan Halevi 1] collects several achronim who think that tzurat hapetach works to enclose a reshut harabbim mdeoritta: Pri Megadim (Rosh Yosef Shabbat 6b), Shulchan Aruch Harav 364:4, Rav Chaim Volozhin (Nishmat Chaim), Geon Yakov (Eruvin 11a), Tzemech Tzedek (end of ch. 5), Eshel Avraham 345), Yeshuot Malko (OC 21), Avnei Nezer 273:16, 279:2, 289:2, Aruch Hashulchan 364:1, and Levush Mordechai OC 4.</ref> Mishkenot Yakov,<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&pgnum=127 Mishkenot Yakov OC 121 s.v. vgam]. In [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&pgnum=129 Mishkenot Yakov OC 121 s.v. vyesh] he quotes that Rashi, Bartenura, Rif, Rosh, Baal Hamoer, Ramban, Rabbenu Efraim, Ritva, Smag, Smak, Raavan, Ri, Maharam, Rashba, Rivash, Ran, Tur, and Shulchan Aruch who hold that to enclose a reshut harabbim doors that close are necessary.</ref> Bet Efraim,<ref>Bet Efraim 27 s.v. v'ata avo</ref> Rav Moshe Feinstein,<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 1:139 requires doors where there is a reshut harabbim or even a karmelit with a lot of people traveling.</ref> and Chazon Ish<ref>Chazon Ish OC 74:4</ref> argue even within rabbanan.
 
====Does Reshut Harabbim Depend on a Population of 600,000?====
 
#According to Rashi, a perquisite for a reshut rabbim is that it has a population of 600,000. A slight majority of rishonim accept this position, however, many formidable rishonim disagree.<ref>Bet Efraim counts 25 rishonim who agree with Rashi. See [http://eruvonline.blogspot.com/2011/08/arichas-shulchan-halevi-rejoinder-to.html Arichat Shulchan Halevi 1] who counts 42 rishonim who agree with Rashi. Rav Moshe (Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 126) said that it doesn't matter how many rishonim we find since it was an established minhag it can remain a minhag.</ref> Shulchan Aruch, Chida, and Sephardim generally are strict for this view, however, there is what to rely upon even for Sephardim to rely on Rashi.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 9:33</ref> For Ashkenazim, however, Rama, Magen Avraham, and Taz accept Rashi. While Mishkenot Yakov rejects Rashi's view, Bet Efraim confirms Rashi's opinion. Rav Chaim Volozhin and Rav Moshe Feinstein accepted the minhag to rely on Rashi. Mishna Brurah writes that although no one should protest those who rely on Rashi, someone who is careful in halacha should privately be strict. Chazon Ish, Rav Aharon Kotler,<ref>[http://eruvonline.blogspot.com/2022/01/part-5-truth-regarding-rt-9-and-eruv-in.html eruvonline.blogspot.com] quotes Rav Aharon as not relying on Rashi's opinion to require 600,000. It might also be implied in Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6 where he quotes the Mishna Brurah as holding that majority of rishonim disagree with Rashi.</ref> and Rav Belsky<ref>Shulchan Halevi 11</ref> were also strict.
 
====How to Measure 600,000====
 
#Who does the 600,000 include?
##It includes men, women, children, and non-Jews.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Kaf_HaChayim_on_Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.345.39.1?vhe=Kaf_Hachayim,_Orach_Chayim_vol._I-IV,_Jerusalem_1910-1933&lang=bi Kaf Hachaim 345:39], Eshel Avraham (at the end of 345 s.v. po), Igrot Moshe 1:139:6 s.v. uma based on Tosfot Eruvin 6a. See Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) who suggests that women and non-Jews don't count towards the 600,000 since it needs to be similar to the count in the desert.</ref>
##It includes travelers and tourists.<ref>Rashi Eruvin 59a, Igrot Moshe 1:139:5, 4:87 s.v. v'b'ir. See Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) who suggests that guests don't count towards the 600,000 since it needs to be similar to the count in the desert.</ref>
##It includes people in cars or trains, according to most poskim.<ref>Although Yeshot Malko OC 27 holds that people in trains don't count towards the 600,000 because they are enclosed in a reshut hayachid, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe OC 1:139, 5:28:2) rejects this completely. Rav Yonatan Shteif (Teshuvot 68 s.v. vheneh) agreed with the Yeshuot Malko and explains that people in cars don't count because it isn't similar to the way people walked in the desert. Rav Elya Meir Bloch (Kol Tzvi p. 19) argued and proved that people in cars count just like the Magen Avraham 363:30 writes that people in boats count towards the 600,000.</ref>
##It includes people in their houses, according to most poskim.<ref>This is the implication of the Bet Efraim and Mishkenot Yakov. Arichat Shulchan Halevi 4 understands that Rav Belsky includes population even indoors but challenges him from Rav Moshe.</ref> Rav Moshe Feinstein is lenient not to include people in their houses and therefore arrives at a conclusion that a population of 3,000,000 is necessary for a reshut harabbim.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 1:139, 4:87. Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) seems to suggest that children and sick people who stay indoors don't count towards the 600,000.</ref>
#Where in the reshut harabbim are the 600,000?
##Majority of achronim hold that as long as there are 600,000 people anywhere in the city every street in the city that fits the other criteria of reshut harabbim becomes a reshut harabbim. Some include even the population of the nearby cities that the city in question is open to.<ref>Bet Efraim (26 s.v. vamnam b'ezras Hashem), Rav Chaim Ozer (Achiezer 4:8), Chazon Ish (cited by Achiezer 4:8), Rav Belsky in Shulchan Halevi 1:11, Rav Isaac Ausband (Kol Tzvi v. 7 p. 18). Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 3 proves that that most rishonim who espouses Rashi's view hold that it depends on the city and not one street. These are his sources: Rav Shalom Goan (Chemda Genuza 70), Rashi Eruvin 6a, 47a, Tosfot Rid 59a, Tosfot Harosh 59a, Ramban 59a for Rashi, Or Zaruah 164, Sefer Haitim 206. The achronim he quotes who support this view that 600,000 includes everyone in the city include: Magen Avraham 357:11, Pri Megadim EA 357:11, Shulchan Aruch Harav 357:7, Mishna Brurah 357:25, Chachmat Shlomo 363, Maharsham 3:188, Mahari Asad 87, Rav Elchanan Yafeh in Shoel K'inyan, Divrei Malkiel (v. 3 in hashmatot), Dovev Meisharim, Minchat Yitzchak 2:112, 8:32, Teshuvot Vehanhagot 1:176, and Chelkat Yakov 100. He also quotes on p. 65 Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Elyashiv agreeing that 600,000 shouldn't be calculated by one street if there's 600,000 in the city. Yeshuot Malko OC 27 writes that shishim ribo includes everyone who is in the city. Though, he holds that for streets outside the city it is a reshut harabbim without shishim ribo.</ref>
##Some achronim hold that only if there are 600,000 people in the area that the eruv encloses is it a reshut harabbim.<ref>Rav Elya Meir Bloch (Kol Tzvi v. 7 p. 18) writes that it is possible to split up a city such as Manhattan with a tzurat hapetach so that in the area enclosed there's not 600,000 and then isn't a reshut harabbim. At the end he concludes that the matter needs more investigation and leaves it unresolved. This also appears to be the view of Shevet Halevi 8:177(2). Rav Yonatan Shteif (Teshuvot 68 s.v. v'ayin) implies this approach as well, but it isn't clear since he first mentions his approach that Manhattan isn't a reshut harabbim anyway because of walls.
 
*[https://eruvonline.blogspot.com/2011/07/rav-moshe-feinstein-ztl-new-discovery.html Some say] that this is also the view of Rav Moshe Feinstein. However, from Igrot Moshe 4:88 and 5:28:1 this seems incorrect. He writes there that one cannot make an eruv even in section of Brooklyn since within a 12x12 mil of that area there is 600,000 people.</ref>
##Some achronim hold that only if there are 600,000 people on a single street that street is not a reshut harabbim.<ref>Arichat Shulchan Halevi n. 4 proves from Bet Meir 5b s.v. bishlama that shishim ribo is judged by every street individually.</ref>
##Rav Moshe Feinstein holds that only if there are 600,000 people within an area that is 12x12 mil is it a reshut harabbim.<ref>Igrot Moshe 1:139, 4:87. Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 3 p. 59 quotes Rav Elyashiv as disagreeing with this chiddush that 600,000 depends on the city and not 12 mil. On p. 65 he quotes that Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach also disagreed with that position of Rav Moshe.</ref>
#Over what period of time is 600,000 calculated?
##Some achronim maintain that unless the 600,000 people are present over the course of one 24 hour day it is not a reshut harabbim.<ref>The simple language of Shulchan Aruch O.C. 345:7 indicates that this view maintains that there must be a presence of 600,000 every day. Mishna Brurah 345:24 challenges this because none of the rishonim who support this view mention that 600,000 must pass there every day. [https://www.sefaria.org/Kaf_HaChayim_on_Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.345.40.1?vhe=Kaf_Hachayim,_Orach_Chayim_vol._I-IV,_Jerusalem_1910-1933&lang=bi Kaf Hachaim 345:40] quotes the Levush and Shulchan Aruch Harav who accept Shulchan Aruch simply. Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) relied on the opinion that if there isn’t 600,000 every day it isn’t a reshut harabbim to allow an eruv in Yerushalayim today where there is 600,000. Igrot Moshe 1:139 and 4:87 (and Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 127) in his own way also accepts this concept that the 600,000 are present in one day. However, [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=133 Mishkenot Yakov 121 s.v. v'od] rejects this possibility in understanding Rashi. Bet Efraim 26 also veers from the simple understanding of one day.</ref>
##Some achronim restrict this even further and maintain that unless the 600,000 are present for most of the hours of the day during which there is regular daytime activity, it isn't a reshut harabbim.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 4:87</ref>
##Some achronim argue that 600,000 need to be present over a long period of time, such as a year, in order to be a reshut harabbim.<ref>Bet Efraim 26</ref>
##Some achronim argue that 600,000 includes people over any amount of time as long as theoretically for a special event or certain need 600,000 could come there in one day. According to this suggestion almost any public street is a reshut harabbim.<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=133 Mishkenot Yakov 121 s.v. v'od] argues that based on Ritva 22b and Riaz the way to calculate 600,000 is not based on one day or any specific amount of time. Rather as long as theoretically at some point for some need 600,000 could travel there it is a reshut harabbim. He writes that this is very common in his day in many towns that have streets open to neighboring towns. Though, he also uses language that the masses travel there frequently from far away, implying that he limits it to a metropolitan area.</ref>
#The Ramban suggests that even for Rashi a highway outside of a town is a reshut harabbim even if it lacks a population of 600,000. Rosh disagrees and holds that according to Rashi a reshut harabbim always depends on a population of 600,000. Rav Chaim Volozhin<ref>Nishmat Chaim</ref> and Mishkenot Yakov<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1095&st=&pgnum=157 Mishkenot Yakov 122 s.v. achrei] writes that after seeing the Ramban he accepted it because it was similar to his understanding of Rashi.</ref> are concerned for this opinion, but Rav Moshe Feinstein<ref>Regarding bridges and tunnels Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe 1:139:5 s.v. v'im ken) wasn't sure if they were part of the city to be counted for 600,000 but he didn't consider the possibility that 600,000 is not necessary for a highway.</ref> was not.
 
====Gaps more than 10 Amot====
 
#Mishkenot Yakov and Rav Aharon Kotler<ref>Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6</ref> hold that a gap more than 10 amot is deoritta. Chazon Ish<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14336&pgnum=321 Chazon Ish OC 112:1-5]</ref> argues that a gap more than 10 amot is only derabbanan. Bet Efraim holds that a gap of more than 10 amot is derabbanan if there are corners of at least an amah.
 
===Applications to Specific City Eruvin===
====Manhattan====
 
#Rav Moshe Feinstein objected to any eruv in Manhattan because of specific issues with the walls and more generally because if they did people would mistakenly learn from there that it is possible to make an eruv in a reshut harabbim. Originally, he was willing to accept that others could argue with him,<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 4:89 dated Chanuka 1961</ref> after the 1962 agudas harabbanim convention which concluded that it was forbidden to make an eruv in Manhattan, he wrote this more forcefully that no one should make an eruv in Manhattan.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 1:139, YD 3 Hashmata to 4:89, 4:89</ref>
 
====Brooklyn====
 
#Rav Moshe Feinstein rejected the possibility of an eruv in Brooklyn because it had a population close to 3,000,000, which in his view would disallow relying on Rashi. Additionally, even if it didn't have that population it is still forbidden to make an eruv in such a big city because people will mistakenly learn from there that it is possible to make an eruv in a reshut harabbim.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 1:138-9, OC 4:87</ref>
 
====Queens====
 
#Rav Moshe Feinstein allowed an eruv to be built in Kew Garden Hills.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 4:86, Hashmata to 4:89 at end of YD 3</ref> He doesn't explain why it wasn't a reshut harabbim deoritta since within 12x12 mil there was a similar population as there was in Brooklyn, which he forbade.<ref>[https://outorah.org/p/47867/ Rabbi Efraim Glatt] discusses this issue and two possible solutions.
 
*The author of EruvOnline in two articles [http://eruvonline.blogspot.com/2020/11/eruvin-in-news-queens.html 1] and
[https://eruvonline.blogspot.com/2011/07/following-background-information-is.html 2] writes that in his understanding Rav Moshe didn't allow an Eruv in Brooklyn because he was lead to believe that there were 3 million people in Brooklyn and more than 600,000 in each of Flatbush and Boro Park. But had he known the actual populations he would have allowed it.
 
*In 5:28:1 he writes that Brooklyn altogether has more than 600,000 people. However, in 5:28:5 he sounds like he says that separately Flatbush and Boro Park each have 600,000 people. In 4:88 says that one cannot make an eruv in Brooklyn even in one section unless an entire stretch of 12x12 mil (all of Brooklyn) doesn't have a population of 600,000.</ref> All he writes is that it is a small town and the eruv didn't include the highways.
 
====Chicago====
 
#Rav Ben Tzion Wosner<ref>Shevet Halevi 8:177(2)</ref> explains why he allowed an eruv in West Rogers Park, Chicago. His primary reason was that it had 3 walls because of rivers and trains and only needed fixing with tzurot hapetach in some locations. Additionally, he held that 600,000 is defined by the location that the eruv encloses and West Rogers Park itself certainly has a population less than 600,000.
 
====Detroit====
 
#Rav Moshe Feinstein allowed making an eruv in Detroit because all of Detroit does not have a population of 3 million and the area enclosed by the eruv is nowhere near the amount of 600,000 so no one would mistakenly learn from there that it is allowed to make eruvin in big cities.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 4:87</ref>
 
====Los Angeles====
 
#Rav Ovadia Yosef<ref>Yabia Omer OC 9:33</ref> allowed an eruv in Los Angeles on the basis of numerous leniencies in eruvin. He quotes the Chazon Ish regarding omed merubeh, Yeshuot Malko about cars and trains, as well as the Mishna Brurah's approach within Rambam. He doesn't indicate which of the above leniencies is the primary one but altogether he felt that there is room, even for Sephardim, to rely on an eruv even in a very large city such as LA.
#Rav Zundel Kroizer supervised the first LA eruv and when he asked Rav Moshe Feinstein he didn't approve because it relied on the Chazon Ish's view on omed merubeh.<ref>Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 125</ref> Rav Pinchos Gruman writes that Rav Moshe Feinstein never forbade making an eruv in LA. In fact, he said that someone who wishes has what to rely upon to rely on it, but someone who wants to be strict may be.<ref>[https://jewishhomela.com/2016/09/08/what-did-rav-moshe-say-about-the-l-a-eruv/ jewishhomela.com]</ref>
 
==Where is it forbidden to carry?==
==Where is it forbidden to carry?==
# It is forbidden to carry, pass, or throw an object in a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit. <ref>Kitzur S"A 82:1</ref>
 
# It is forbidden to carry from Reshut HaYachid to Reshut HaRabim or a Karmelit, from a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit to a Reshut HaYachid, from Reshut HaRabim to a Karmelit, or from a Karmelit to a Reshut HaRabim. It is permissible to carry from a Makom Patur to a Reshut HaYchid, Reshut HaRabim, or Karmelit and from these areas to a Makom Patur as long as one doesn't carry 4 [[amot]] in a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit.<ref>Kitzur S"A 82:2</ref>
#It is forbidden to carry, pass, or throw an object in a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:1. The derabbanan prohibitions of Hotzah include doing an akira without a hanacha (3a), a hanacha without an akira (3a), and Hotzah from reshus hayachid/reshus harabim to a karmelis (3b).</ref>
# Because there are a lot of detailed and complicated halachot in defining these 4 domains, in a city where there's no Eruv, someone who isn't an expert shouldn't carry into another domain unless one knows for certain that it's permissible.<ref>Kitzur S"A 82:2</ref>
#It is forbidden to carry from Reshut HaYachid to Reshut HaRabim or a Karmelit, from a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit to a Reshut HaYachid, from Reshut HaRabim to a Karmelit, or from a Karmelit to a Reshut HaRabim. It is permissible to carry from a Makom Patur to a Reshut HaYchid, Reshut HaRabim, or Karmelit and from these areas to a Makom Patur as long as one doesn't carry 4 [[amot]] in a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:2</ref>
#Because there are a lot of detailed and complicated halachot in defining these 4 domains, in a city where there's no Eruv, someone who isn't an expert shouldn't carry into another domain unless one knows for certain that it's permissible.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:2</ref>
#It is permitted to carry from a private or public domain to an exempt area or from an exempt area to a private or public domain. However, one may not carry from a private domain to a public domain through an exempt area or visa versa. Similarly, one may not stand in an exempt area and transfer an item from a private domain to a public domain via the exempt area or visa versa.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 346:1</ref>
#There is a dispute whether it is permitted to stand in an exempt area and transfer an item from a private domain to a Karmelit or visa versa. Similarly, there is a dispute whether it is permitted to carry from a private domain to a Karmelit or Karmelit to a private domain via an exempt area. Many poskim write that one should be strict about this case.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 346:1 quotes two opinions on the matter. Birkei Yosef 346:1 explains that Shulchan Aruch rules like the lenient opinion. The Rama 372:6 is strict on the matter. Kaf Hachaim 346:17 writes that one should be strict in order to satisfy both opinions quoted in Shulchan Aruch, but that if the item was placed down in the exempt area before being transferred there is room to be lenient. </ref>
==Defining the act of carrying==
==Defining the act of carrying==
# Picking up an object is called Akirah and putting it down is called Hanacha. Both of these actions are forbidden. Therefore, one may not give an object to a non-Jew who will carry from a Reshut HaYachid to a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit because in that case the Jew will have done the Akirah, rather the non-Jew should pick up the object himself. Similarly, if a non-Jew brings something from one domain to another, the Jew shouldn't take it from his hand because if he did the Jew will have violated Hanacha, rather the non-Jew should put it down.<ref>Kitzur S"A 82:3</ref>
 
# It is forbidden to bring something into the public domain if it isn't a clothing or jewelry. Even within the category of jewelry certain things are rabbinically forbidden to wear in the public domain, however, the minhag is to be lenient for all jewelry, yet a Yarei Shamayim should be strict upon himself. <Ref>Kitzur S"A 84:1-2</ref>
#Picking up an object is called Akirah and putting it down is called Hanacha. Both of these actions are forbidden. Therefore, one may not give an object to a non-Jew who will carry from a Reshut HaYachid to a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit because in that case the Jew will have done the Akirah, rather the non-Jew should pick up the object himself. Similarly, if a non-Jew brings something from one domain to another, the Jew shouldn't take it from his hand because if he did the Jew will have violated Hanacha, rather the non-Jew should put it down.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:3</ref>
#It is forbidden to bring something into the public domain if it isn't a clothing or jewelry. Even within the category of jewelry certain things are rabbinically forbidden to wear in the public domain, however, the minhag is to be lenient for all jewelry<ref>See Tosfot Shabbat 64b</ref>, yet a Yarei Shamayim should be strict upon himself.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:1-2</ref>
#If it is normal to wear two pairs of clothing, one on top of the other even during the week, then one may wear one pair of clothes on top of another on [[Shabbat]] in the public domain even if one doesn't need it but is bringing it for one's friend or the like.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:12</ref>
#If it is raining, one may wearing a coat in order to protect oneself from rain since the coat is worn as a regular clothing. However, it is forbidden to carry a clothing on top of one's hat in order to protect the hat from rain because it isn't considered wearing the clothing in a regular way.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 301:14, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:4, Mishna Brurah 301:52-3 </ref>
#It is permitted to wear a [[Tallit]] in the public domain on [[Shabbat]] as long as one wears it regularly; however, one may not put it around one's neck in a place where it is abnormal to wear it that way.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:16</ref>
 
==Carrying a child==
==Carrying a child==
# It is forbidden to carry a baby or child even if he is able to walk.<ref>Kitzur S"A 82:10</ref>
#It is permitted for a person to hold one's baby for support while they walk in the reshut harabbim. Furthermore, it is even permitted to pick up one leg of the baby at a time since the baby keeps one leg on the ground. It is forbidden to drag a baby because that is like carrying.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 308:41</ref>
==Wearing a watch==
#It is forbidden to carry a baby or child even if he is able to walk even in a Karmalit.<ref>Biur Halacha 308:41 s.v. shelo forbids it as does Igrot Moshe OC 2:33. See Rabbi Akiva Eiger 1:28.</ref> However, one shouldn't tell people who do this because certainly they will not listen and its better that they do so unintentionally rather than violate [[Shabbat]] intentionally.<ref>Mishna Brurah 308:154, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:10</ref> On the other hand, if there is a chance that others will listen, then one should tell them<ref>Mishna Berurah 508:3</ref>, as well as one should publicize this prohibition<ref>Igros Moshe YD 2:33</ref>.
# It is permitted to wear a watch which a person wouldn't remove if it stopped working such as a gold watch because then the watch is considered a jewelry. However, if one is not in an eruv, a person shouldn't wear a regular watch which a person would remove from their hand if it stopped working, but those who are lenient have what to rely on.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:27</ref>
 
# One may not go out of an eruv with a pocket watch on Shabbat. <ref>Kitzur S"A 84:2, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:28</ref>
==What is considered a garment?==
==A hearing aid==
 
# A person who is hard of hearing may wear a hearing-aid on [[Shabbat]], even in a public domain without an eruv. One need not be concerned with considerations of electricity or carrying as long as the hearing-aid is securely in his ear, and he turned it on before [[Shabbat]] and left it on until after [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata (perek 18 halacha 14), Yalkut Yosef (siman 328 seif 328 and siman 301 seif 38). See footnote 39 there where he quotes Hacham Ovadiah, Rav Shlomoh Zalamn Auerbach, Rav Henkin, and the Tzitz Eleizer who ruled leniently as well. </ref>
#Plastic bags worn over one's shoes are not considered garments and should not be worn outside of an Eruv.<ref>Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen (The [[Shabbos]] Home, v. 1, p. 121) in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein </ref>
#On Shabbat, some posking permit one to walk outside an eruv with a coat worn over his shoulders, without his arms in the sleeves, where that is a normal mode of wearing a coat. This is considered "wearing" it, not carrying it. There is an additional concern that it might fall off and then you might carry it.<ref>Rivivot Ephraim 1:223:14 </ref><ref>Or Letzion 2:23:7</ref>
#One may put a shoe insert into a shoe and wear it outside of the eruv on Shabbat to make the shoe wearable since it is considered part of the shoe.<ref>Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:225 </ref>
#To wear a sticker with a name on it on the inside of a hat isn't considered carrying on Shabbat.<ref>Or Yitzchak 1:126</ref>
 
==Wearing a Key==
 
#For Sephardim it is problematic to wear a belt with a key since it appears that one is carrying to use the key.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 301:11</ref>
 
==Wearing a Watch==
 
#It is permitted to wear a watch which a person wouldn't remove if it stopped working, such as a gold watch, because then the watch is considered a jewelry. However, if one is not in an eruv, a person shouldn't wear a regular watch which a person would remove from their hand if it stopped working, but those who are lenient have what to rely on.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:27</ref>
#One may not go out of an eruv with a pocket watch on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:2, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:28</ref>
 
==Glasses==
==Glasses==
# A person who regularly wears glasses may wear them in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. He must wear them on his nose, and may not carry them in his pocket or wear them on his forehead or around his neck. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef (siman 301 seif 31) and Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (perek 18 halacha 16) write that a person who regularly wears glasses may wear them in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. He must wear them on his nose, and may not carry them in his pocket or wear them on his forehead or around his neck. Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments on Kitzur S"A 84:6) writes that one may wear glasses in the public domain, however, one who usually takes them off in the street shouldn't go out with them without an eruv. </ref>
 
# A person who does not regularly wear glasses but wears, for example, reading glasses for reading only and otherwise carries them in his pocket, may not wear the reading glasses in a public domain. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 32, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (perek 18 halacha 17). </ref>Bifocals which may be worn for both reading and regular use may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 17 </ref>
#A person who regularly wears glasses may wear them in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. He must wear them on his nose, and may not carry them in his pocket or wear them on his forehead or around his neck.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 301:31 and Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:16. Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:6) writes that one may wear glasses in the public domain, however, one who usually takes them off in the street shouldn't go out with them without an eruv. </ref>
# Someone who attaches a string worn around his neck to his glasses, he may wear the glasses with the string attached in a public domain on [[Shabbat]], as long as he wears the glasses on his nose and not around his neck or on his forehead. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 16 </ref>
#A person who does not regularly wear glasses but wears, for example, reading glasses for reading only and otherwise carries them in his pocket, may not wear the reading glasses in a public domain.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 301:32, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:17. </ref> Bifocals which may be worn for both reading and regular use may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 17 </ref>
# Contact lenses may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]] by someone who regularly wears them. However a person who has not yet adjusted to contact lenses may not wear them in a public domain on shabbat, lest he take them out and carry them in his hand. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 33, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 17 </ref>
#Someone who attaches a string worn around his neck to his glasses may wear the glasses with the string attached in a public domain on [[Shabbat]], as long as he wears the glasses on his nose and not around his neck or on his forehead.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 16, Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:227 </ref>
# Photocromatic lenses, i.e. lenses that change from clear to dark in sunlight, may be worn on [[Shabbat]] as long as they are worn for regular use. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 34, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
#Contact lenses may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]] by someone who regularly wears them. However, a person who has not yet adjusted to contact lenses may not wear them in a public domain on [[shabbat]], lest he take them out and carry them in his hand.<ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 33, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 17 </ref>
# According to some, sunglasses worn only to protect one's eyes from the sun's rays may not be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 35, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref> This includes sunglasses worn over regular glasses. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref> Those who are lenient have wjat to rely on, especially in a place with an eruv. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 35 </ref>
#Photocromatic lenses, i.e. lenses that change from clear to dark in sunlight, may be worn on [[Shabbat]] as long as they are worn for regular use.<ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 34, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
# Sunglasses that are worn at all times for eyesight problems are considered like regular glasses, and may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 34, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
#According to some, sunglasses worn only to protect one's eyes from the sun's rays may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Halichot Olam Chelek 4: pg. 283 </ref> Others are strict <ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 35, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref> This includes sunglasses worn over regular glasses.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref> Those who are lenient have what to rely on, especially in a place with an eruv.<ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 35</ref>
# Sunglasses that are connected to a regular pair of glasses that are regularly worn by a hinge, may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]] if the person doesn't remove the sunglasses totally when in the shade, rather flips up the sunglasses while they are still attached. It is best to stringent, however. <Ref>Yalkut yosef siman 301 seif 36, shmirat shabbat perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
#Sunglasses that are worn at all times for eyesight problems are considered like regular glasses, and may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 34, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
# Sunglasses worn on doctor's orders and are not removed even when one is in his house are judged like regular glasses, and may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
#Sunglasses that are connected by a hinge to a regular pair of glasses that are regularly worn may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]] as long as the person doesn't remove the sunglasses totally when in the shade, rather flips up the sunglasses while they are still attached. It is best to stringent, however.<ref>Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 36, shmirat [[shabbat]] perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
==What is considered a garment?==
#Sunglasses worn on doctor's orders and are not removed even when one is in his house are judged like regular glasses, and may be worn in a public domain on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18 </ref>
# Plastic bags worn over one's shoes are not considered garments and should not be worn outside of an Eruv. <ref> Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen in The Shabbos Home Volume 1,page 121 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein </ref>  
 
==A Hearing-aid==
 
#A person who is hard of hearing may wear a hearing-aid on [[Shabbat]], even in a public domain without an eruv. One need not be concerned with considerations of electricity or [[carrying]] as long as the hearing-aid is securely in his ear, and he turned it on before [[Shabbat]] and leaves it on until after [[Shabbat]].<ref>Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata (perek 18 halacha 14), Yalkut Yosef (siman 328 seif 328 and siman 301 seif 38). See footnote 39 there where he quotes Hacham Ovadiah, Rav Shlomoh Zalman Auerbach, Rav Henkin, and the Tzitz Eliezer who ruled leniently as well. </ref>
 
==Cane and Wheelchair==
 
#Someone who can't walk without a cane may walk in a public domain with the cane.<ref>Tosfot (Shabbat 65b s.v. hakiteya) even writes that on Shabbat it is permitted for someone who needs a cane to walk to go out with it to a public domain on Shabbat since it is like shoes for him. Rashba (Beitzah 25b s.v. ein) and Ran (Beitzah 14a s.v. gemara tanu) agree with Tosfot. The Shitah Mikubeset (Beitzah 25b s.v. vekatav mori) quotes the Radvaz who argues with Tosfot but concludes that he doesn't feel confident to reject the ruling of Rabbenu Tam that it is permitted. Shulchan Aruch OC 301:17 accepts the opinion of Tosfot.</ref> If the person walks at home without a cane and only uses a cane outside he may not walk with it in a public domain on Shabbat.<ref>Mishna Brurah 301:64</ref> Someone who could walk without a cane but because it is icy outside he is afraid of slipping, it is forbidden to walk out with a cane unless there is an eruv.<ref>Mishna Brurah 301:65. Birkei Yosef 301:3 writes that if it is muddy out and one wants to use a cane not to slip one may not use a cane except in a private domain.</ref>
#Within an eruv it is permitted to walk with a cane either to help one walk or to for the appearance, however, it is forbidden for no purpose at all.<ref>Mishna Brurah 301:66 writes that it is forbidden to walk with a cane in an eruv if there's no purpose for the cane because it is a desecration of Yom Tov (see Beitzah 25b).</ref>
#A wheelchair is different from a cane and even if a person can't walk without a wheelchair he may not go out with a wheelchair on Shabbat to a public domain.<ref>Rav Paalim 1:25, Minchat Yitzchak 2:114, Shemirat Shabbat Khilchata (ch. 34 fnt. 101)</ref>
 
==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Shabbat]]
[[Category:Eruvin]]
{{Shabbat Table}}

Latest revision as of 05:07, 10 October 2024

One of the 39 Melachot which one is prohibited to do on Shabbat is Hotzah, carrying from one domain to another. In general, one may not carry from a public domain to a private one, or visa versa. Additionally, one may not carry 4 amot in a public domain.[1] The definition of these domains and the exceptions under which a person may carry are described below. For a broader perspective about carrying on Shabbat and the modern Eruv, see our Introduction to the Modern Eruv, Mechitzot, Eruv Chatzerot, and Sechirut Reshut pages.

Source

  1. The source of Meleches Hotzah is a major machlokes Rishonim.[2]

Definition of the 4 domains

  1. There are 4 categories of domains on Shabbat: the Reshut HaRabim (public domain), Reshut HaYachid (private domain), intermediate area (Karmelit), and exempt area (Makom Patur).[3]
  2. A Reshut HaYachid is defined as an area of at least 4 Tefachim by 4 Tefachim surrounded by walls of at least 10 Tefachim. This includes a pit which is 4x4 Tefachim with walls of 10 Tefachim.[4]
  3. A Reshut HaRabim is defined as a street which is 16 amot wide. Some say that if there's not 600,000 people passing through it daily it's not a Reshut HaRabim.[5]
  4. A Karmelit is defined as an area of 4 Tefachim by 4 Tefachim with walls which are less than 10 Tefachim in height. It also includes areas where the public doesn't walk and doesn't have proper fencing such as fields, or rivers which are 10 Tefachim deep.[6]
  5. A Makom Patur is a place which is less than 4 Tefachim by 4 Tefachim but is of at least 3 Tefachim in height. They are only a Makom Patur when placed in a Reshut HaRabim, but in a Karmelit they are considered like a Karmelit.[7]

Moving a Key in an Entranceway

  1. If the entranceway in from of a house or building is 4 tefachim wide by 4 tefachim long in front of the door, has two walls on either side and a roof above it, it is a reshut hayachid. Alternatively, if it is 10 tefachim above the ground, and 4x4 tefachim, it is a reshut hayachid. If isn't so high, large, lacks the walls, or roof is considered like the domain that it is facing.[8]

Summary of Dispute Between Mishkenot Yakov and Bet Efraim

  1. Mishkenot Yakov[9] makes 2 independent arguments[10] to challenge all communal eruvin using tzurat hapetach.
    1. He[11] enumerates 16 rishonim who hold that reshut harabbim does not need a population of 600,000 including: Rif,[12] Rambam,[13] Rabbenu Tam,[14] Rashbam, Raavan, Ramban, Rashba, Ritva, Ran, Hagahot Mordechai, Rivash, Rash, Riva, Ri Halevi, Mordechai, and Riaz.[15] Simultaneously, he argues that really only 5 rishonim hold that 600,000 is necessary including Smak, Smag, Sefer Hatrumah, Roke'ach,[16] and Maharam. Therefore, he holds that the halacha follows those rishonim who do not require 600,000. Therefore, our cities irrelevant of its population are a reshut harabbim and a tzurat hapetach doesn't work to enclose a reshut harabbim.
    2. Even according to those who require a population of 600,000, they agree that a wall of a tzurat hapetach is nullified by the travel of all the townspeople, even though they aren't 600,000. This argument rests on the assumption that we hold ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta (heb. איתי רבים ומבטל מחיצתא; trans. the masses come and nullify the wall). This argument is predicated on the Hagahot Ashri.[17]
    3. To strengthen his point that even in walled cities a tzurat hapetach is insufficient to close gaps, he argues that a gap of more than 10 amot is deoritta. His biggest proof is that Yerushalayim is considered to be a reshut harabbim in Eruvin 101a and Pesachim 66b, even though it had walls.
  2. Bet Efraim's[18] defense of modern eruvin is that we follow Rashi that we don't have a reshut harabbim today because our cities lack 600,000 people and the Mishkenot Yakov's understanding of the Hagahot Ashri is incorrect. Furthermore, for walled cities he adds another argument to be lenient since we follow Rabbanan who hold that there's no ayti rabbim.
    1. Bet Efraim[19] counts 25 rishonim who hold that 600,000 is necessary for a reshut harabbim. They include: Bahag, Rashi, Raavan, Smag, Smak, Roke'ach, Maharam, Rosh, Tur, Mordechai, Sefer Hatrumah, Or Zaruah, Rabbenu Simcha, Rash, Hagahot Maimoni, Hagahot Ashri, Shibolei Haleket, Maharam Rikanti, Aguda, Isur Vheter, Hagahot Iser Vheter, Mahari Vayil, Trumat Hadeshen, Sedah Lderech, and Rabbenu Yerucham.
      1. Part of their argument in interpreting several rishonim revolves around how to understand the Ritva's explanation of Rashi. Mishkanot Yakov explains that even Rashi meant that 600,000 doesn't actually mean that they need 600,000 people there. It just needs to be a metropolitan area that is open to the masses to live there or visit there for commerce. Bet Efraim argues that the Ritva means that 600,000 do have to live there or travel there with some frequency. If there isn't 600,000 people who live or travel over a period of time[20] certainly it isn't a reshut harabbim. He accepts the Ritva's understanding of Rashi.
    2. Bet Efraim's tries to prove that we do not hold ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta. Certainly Rambam held that we do not hold ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta,[21] but he also proves that Rif and Rosh concur with this. Although the Ramban writes that Rif and by implication Rosh hold ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta, the Bet Efraim disagrees.[22] By making this argument, Bet Efraim undermines Mishkenot Yakov's second argument altogether.[23]
      1. Additionally, Bet Efraim argues with Mishkenot Yakov's understanding of the Hagahot Ashri. According to the Mishkenot Yakov, it is a proof that even without 600,000 a tzurat hapetach is insufficient on the roads used by everyone in town. Bet Efraim argues that without 600,000 tzurat hapetach is sufficient.[24] In understanding the Maharam[25] and Ritva[26] there is a parallel dispute.
      2. Tangentially, Bet Efraim explains that the Rambam holds that it is sufficient to close off a reshut harabbim with doors that could close even though practically they don't close. Furthermore, he explains that perhaps Rif and Rosh agree with this. However, Shiltei Giborim, Tur and Bet Yosef 364:2 read Rif and Rosh as disputing this point.
    3. Bet Efraim denies Mishkenot Yakov's claim and holds that specifically within walled cities even a gap more than 10 amot is not deoritta. His answer for Yerushalayim is that it was only a reshut harabbim when the enemies knocked down parts of the walls and more importantly the corners.[27]

Aruch Hashulchan

  1. Aruch Hashulchan[28] explains that there is only one reshut harabbim in a town that is designated for all of the traffic. However, if a city is open in all directions then there's no singular reshut harabbim and all of the streets aren't a reshut harabbim. His proof is that in the desert the only reshut harabbim was machaneh Levi, but machaneh yisrael had many streets and so it wasn't a reshut harabbim. Also, our marketplaces aren't a reshut harabbim because there are stores also not in the marketplace, so the marketplace isn't a singular place in town for masses to do commerce.[29]

Chazon Ish

Eruv-diagram1.png
  1. Chazon Ish[30] holds if there are three walls of omed merubeh surrounding a street, that street is considered a reshut hayachid.
  2. Once it is a reshut hayachid, it is as though all of the 4 surrounding walls are closed with walls.[31] Those halachic walls then serve to transform the streets intersecting it into reshiyot hayachid as well.
  3. In the picture to the left street A is considered a reshut hayachid because it is surrounded with three omed merubeh walls. Then imaginary lines are drawn to enclose streets B, C, and D so that they're broken up in two and each side has omed merubeh on three sides.

Rav Moshe Feinstein's approach to Eruvin

  1. Rav Moshe Feinstein's[32] view was that it is impossible to make an eruv in a very large city such as Manhattan or Brooklyn. He has several specific reasons for his position and a general reason because it'll lead to mistakes in other places.
    1. The Rashba holds that any marketplace that is at least 16x16 amot is a reshut harabbim even if it is surrounded by walls.[33] He argues that according to one interpretation of Rashi even a city with walls and doors that close at night is a karmelit and an eruv is ineffective.
    2. Each of the bridges independently could be considered a reshut harabbim or at least a karmelit. On this factor by itself, Rav Moshe feels it would be acceptable to be lenient, but certainly it is proper to be strict in conjunction with his other reason.
    3. According to one interpretation in Rashi, it is impossible to make an eruv in a large city, so that people don't mistakenly extrapolate from there to allow an eruv in a reshut harabbim. That is why the rabbis of the mishna never made one in Yerushalayim.

Summary of Modern Poskim

Ramifications of Ayti Rabbim

  1. Several major rishonim including Ramban, Rashba, Ritva, and Meiri explicitly rule like Rabbi Yehuda. According to Ramban, this is also the view of the Rif and by extension the Rosh.[34] However, the Rabbenu Chananel,[35] Rambam, according to most commentaries,[36] Tosfot Rid,[37] Riaz,[38] Ravyah,[39] Sefer Hameorot,[40] Rav Ovadia Mbartenura,[41] and Tosfot, according to some, argue that the halacha follows Rabbanan.[42] Although Mishkenaot Yakov[43] and Rav Aharon Kotler[44] argue that the halacha follows Rabbi Yehuda because of the Ramban and his understanding the Rif and Rosh, most poskim follow rabbanan.[45] That is the position of the Bet Efraim[46] and Chazon Ish.[47] Rav Chaim Volozhin writes that there is what to rely upon to follow rabbanan. Mishna Brurah seems to hold that we do not follow the rabbanan, but their view can be used in conjunction with other factors to validate an eruv.
    1. According to Rabbi Yehuda, Mishkenot Yakov argues that tzurat hapetach is invalid if it goes over a main street in the town.[48] Bet Efraim argues with this understanding even within Rabbi Yehuda.[49] Chazon Ish[50] is also lenient for a different reason.
    2. If there were pasi biraot surrounding the city, according to the rabbanan, according to the Bet Efraim, the entire town is a reshut hayachid and a tzurat hapetach eruv works. Avnei Nezer accepted this, but Mishkenot Yakov[51] and Chazon Ish[52] reject this concept for different reasons.
    3. If there are omed merubeh walls around a city, according to rabbanan, according to the Chazon Ish, the entire city is a reshut hayachid and a tzurat hapetach eruv works.[53] Bet Efraim and Mishkenot Yakov dispute this understanding even in rabbanan. Rav Moshe Feinstein,[54] Rav Aharon Kotler,[55] and Rav Yisrael Belsky[56] undermine Chazon Ish's position because walls constructed from buildings and other partitions with streets between them are considered omed merubeh. Some quote Rav Elyashiv as not allowing relying on the Chazon Ish's approach.[57]
    4. If an eruv is made completely of tzurot hapetach, according to the rabbanan, according to the Mishna Brurah,[58] the eruv is valid mdeoritta.[59] Mishkenot Yakov,[60] Bet Efraim,[61] Rav Moshe Feinstein,[62] and Chazon Ish[63] argue even within rabbanan.

Does Reshut Harabbim Depend on a Population of 600,000?

  1. According to Rashi, a perquisite for a reshut rabbim is that it has a population of 600,000. A slight majority of rishonim accept this position, however, many formidable rishonim disagree.[64] Shulchan Aruch, Chida, and Sephardim generally are strict for this view, however, there is what to rely upon even for Sephardim to rely on Rashi.[65] For Ashkenazim, however, Rama, Magen Avraham, and Taz accept Rashi. While Mishkenot Yakov rejects Rashi's view, Bet Efraim confirms Rashi's opinion. Rav Chaim Volozhin and Rav Moshe Feinstein accepted the minhag to rely on Rashi. Mishna Brurah writes that although no one should protest those who rely on Rashi, someone who is careful in halacha should privately be strict. Chazon Ish, Rav Aharon Kotler,[66] and Rav Belsky[67] were also strict.

How to Measure 600,000

  1. Who does the 600,000 include?
    1. It includes men, women, children, and non-Jews.[68]
    2. It includes travelers and tourists.[69]
    3. It includes people in cars or trains, according to most poskim.[70]
    4. It includes people in their houses, according to most poskim.[71] Rav Moshe Feinstein is lenient not to include people in their houses and therefore arrives at a conclusion that a population of 3,000,000 is necessary for a reshut harabbim.[72]
  2. Where in the reshut harabbim are the 600,000?
    1. Majority of achronim hold that as long as there are 600,000 people anywhere in the city every street in the city that fits the other criteria of reshut harabbim becomes a reshut harabbim. Some include even the population of the nearby cities that the city in question is open to.[73]
    2. Some achronim hold that only if there are 600,000 people in the area that the eruv encloses is it a reshut harabbim.[74]
    3. Some achronim hold that only if there are 600,000 people on a single street that street is not a reshut harabbim.[75]
    4. Rav Moshe Feinstein holds that only if there are 600,000 people within an area that is 12x12 mil is it a reshut harabbim.[76]
  3. Over what period of time is 600,000 calculated?
    1. Some achronim maintain that unless the 600,000 people are present over the course of one 24 hour day it is not a reshut harabbim.[77]
    2. Some achronim restrict this even further and maintain that unless the 600,000 are present for most of the hours of the day during which there is regular daytime activity, it isn't a reshut harabbim.[78]
    3. Some achronim argue that 600,000 need to be present over a long period of time, such as a year, in order to be a reshut harabbim.[79]
    4. Some achronim argue that 600,000 includes people over any amount of time as long as theoretically for a special event or certain need 600,000 could come there in one day. According to this suggestion almost any public street is a reshut harabbim.[80]
  4. The Ramban suggests that even for Rashi a highway outside of a town is a reshut harabbim even if it lacks a population of 600,000. Rosh disagrees and holds that according to Rashi a reshut harabbim always depends on a population of 600,000. Rav Chaim Volozhin[81] and Mishkenot Yakov[82] are concerned for this opinion, but Rav Moshe Feinstein[83] was not.

Gaps more than 10 Amot

  1. Mishkenot Yakov and Rav Aharon Kotler[84] hold that a gap more than 10 amot is deoritta. Chazon Ish[85] argues that a gap more than 10 amot is only derabbanan. Bet Efraim holds that a gap of more than 10 amot is derabbanan if there are corners of at least an amah.

Applications to Specific City Eruvin

Manhattan

  1. Rav Moshe Feinstein objected to any eruv in Manhattan because of specific issues with the walls and more generally because if they did people would mistakenly learn from there that it is possible to make an eruv in a reshut harabbim. Originally, he was willing to accept that others could argue with him,[86] after the 1962 agudas harabbanim convention which concluded that it was forbidden to make an eruv in Manhattan, he wrote this more forcefully that no one should make an eruv in Manhattan.[87]

Brooklyn

  1. Rav Moshe Feinstein rejected the possibility of an eruv in Brooklyn because it had a population close to 3,000,000, which in his view would disallow relying on Rashi. Additionally, even if it didn't have that population it is still forbidden to make an eruv in such a big city because people will mistakenly learn from there that it is possible to make an eruv in a reshut harabbim.[88]

Queens

  1. Rav Moshe Feinstein allowed an eruv to be built in Kew Garden Hills.[89] He doesn't explain why it wasn't a reshut harabbim deoritta since within 12x12 mil there was a similar population as there was in Brooklyn, which he forbade.[90] All he writes is that it is a small town and the eruv didn't include the highways.

Chicago

  1. Rav Ben Tzion Wosner[91] explains why he allowed an eruv in West Rogers Park, Chicago. His primary reason was that it had 3 walls because of rivers and trains and only needed fixing with tzurot hapetach in some locations. Additionally, he held that 600,000 is defined by the location that the eruv encloses and West Rogers Park itself certainly has a population less than 600,000.

Detroit

  1. Rav Moshe Feinstein allowed making an eruv in Detroit because all of Detroit does not have a population of 3 million and the area enclosed by the eruv is nowhere near the amount of 600,000 so no one would mistakenly learn from there that it is allowed to make eruvin in big cities.[92]

Los Angeles

  1. Rav Ovadia Yosef[93] allowed an eruv in Los Angeles on the basis of numerous leniencies in eruvin. He quotes the Chazon Ish regarding omed merubeh, Yeshuot Malko about cars and trains, as well as the Mishna Brurah's approach within Rambam. He doesn't indicate which of the above leniencies is the primary one but altogether he felt that there is room, even for Sephardim, to rely on an eruv even in a very large city such as LA.
  2. Rav Zundel Kroizer supervised the first LA eruv and when he asked Rav Moshe Feinstein he didn't approve because it relied on the Chazon Ish's view on omed merubeh.[94] Rav Pinchos Gruman writes that Rav Moshe Feinstein never forbade making an eruv in LA. In fact, he said that someone who wishes has what to rely upon to rely on it, but someone who wants to be strict may be.[95]

Where is it forbidden to carry?

  1. It is forbidden to carry, pass, or throw an object in a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit.[96]
  2. It is forbidden to carry from Reshut HaYachid to Reshut HaRabim or a Karmelit, from a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit to a Reshut HaYachid, from Reshut HaRabim to a Karmelit, or from a Karmelit to a Reshut HaRabim. It is permissible to carry from a Makom Patur to a Reshut HaYchid, Reshut HaRabim, or Karmelit and from these areas to a Makom Patur as long as one doesn't carry 4 amot in a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit.[97]
  3. Because there are a lot of detailed and complicated halachot in defining these 4 domains, in a city where there's no Eruv, someone who isn't an expert shouldn't carry into another domain unless one knows for certain that it's permissible.[98]
  4. It is permitted to carry from a private or public domain to an exempt area or from an exempt area to a private or public domain. However, one may not carry from a private domain to a public domain through an exempt area or visa versa. Similarly, one may not stand in an exempt area and transfer an item from a private domain to a public domain via the exempt area or visa versa.[99]
  5. There is a dispute whether it is permitted to stand in an exempt area and transfer an item from a private domain to a Karmelit or visa versa. Similarly, there is a dispute whether it is permitted to carry from a private domain to a Karmelit or Karmelit to a private domain via an exempt area. Many poskim write that one should be strict about this case.[100]

Defining the act of carrying

  1. Picking up an object is called Akirah and putting it down is called Hanacha. Both of these actions are forbidden. Therefore, one may not give an object to a non-Jew who will carry from a Reshut HaYachid to a Reshut HaRabim or Karmelit because in that case the Jew will have done the Akirah, rather the non-Jew should pick up the object himself. Similarly, if a non-Jew brings something from one domain to another, the Jew shouldn't take it from his hand because if he did the Jew will have violated Hanacha, rather the non-Jew should put it down.[101]
  2. It is forbidden to bring something into the public domain if it isn't a clothing or jewelry. Even within the category of jewelry certain things are rabbinically forbidden to wear in the public domain, however, the minhag is to be lenient for all jewelry[102], yet a Yarei Shamayim should be strict upon himself.[103]
  3. If it is normal to wear two pairs of clothing, one on top of the other even during the week, then one may wear one pair of clothes on top of another on Shabbat in the public domain even if one doesn't need it but is bringing it for one's friend or the like.[104]
  4. If it is raining, one may wearing a coat in order to protect oneself from rain since the coat is worn as a regular clothing. However, it is forbidden to carry a clothing on top of one's hat in order to protect the hat from rain because it isn't considered wearing the clothing in a regular way.[105]
  5. It is permitted to wear a Tallit in the public domain on Shabbat as long as one wears it regularly; however, one may not put it around one's neck in a place where it is abnormal to wear it that way.[106]

Carrying a child

  1. It is permitted for a person to hold one's baby for support while they walk in the reshut harabbim. Furthermore, it is even permitted to pick up one leg of the baby at a time since the baby keeps one leg on the ground. It is forbidden to drag a baby because that is like carrying.[107]
  2. It is forbidden to carry a baby or child even if he is able to walk even in a Karmalit.[108] However, one shouldn't tell people who do this because certainly they will not listen and its better that they do so unintentionally rather than violate Shabbat intentionally.[109] On the other hand, if there is a chance that others will listen, then one should tell them[110], as well as one should publicize this prohibition[111].

What is considered a garment?

  1. Plastic bags worn over one's shoes are not considered garments and should not be worn outside of an Eruv.[112]
  2. On Shabbat, some posking permit one to walk outside an eruv with a coat worn over his shoulders, without his arms in the sleeves, where that is a normal mode of wearing a coat. This is considered "wearing" it, not carrying it. There is an additional concern that it might fall off and then you might carry it.[113][114]
  3. One may put a shoe insert into a shoe and wear it outside of the eruv on Shabbat to make the shoe wearable since it is considered part of the shoe.[115]
  4. To wear a sticker with a name on it on the inside of a hat isn't considered carrying on Shabbat.[116]

Wearing a Key

  1. For Sephardim it is problematic to wear a belt with a key since it appears that one is carrying to use the key.[117]

Wearing a Watch

  1. It is permitted to wear a watch which a person wouldn't remove if it stopped working, such as a gold watch, because then the watch is considered a jewelry. However, if one is not in an eruv, a person shouldn't wear a regular watch which a person would remove from their hand if it stopped working, but those who are lenient have what to rely on.[118]
  2. One may not go out of an eruv with a pocket watch on Shabbat.[119]

Glasses

  1. A person who regularly wears glasses may wear them in a public domain on Shabbat. He must wear them on his nose, and may not carry them in his pocket or wear them on his forehead or around his neck.[120]
  2. A person who does not regularly wear glasses but wears, for example, reading glasses for reading only and otherwise carries them in his pocket, may not wear the reading glasses in a public domain.[121] Bifocals which may be worn for both reading and regular use may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat.[122]
  3. Someone who attaches a string worn around his neck to his glasses may wear the glasses with the string attached in a public domain on Shabbat, as long as he wears the glasses on his nose and not around his neck or on his forehead.[123]
  4. Contact lenses may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat by someone who regularly wears them. However, a person who has not yet adjusted to contact lenses may not wear them in a public domain on shabbat, lest he take them out and carry them in his hand.[124]
  5. Photocromatic lenses, i.e. lenses that change from clear to dark in sunlight, may be worn on Shabbat as long as they are worn for regular use.[125]
  6. According to some, sunglasses worn only to protect one's eyes from the sun's rays may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat.[126] Others are strict [127] This includes sunglasses worn over regular glasses.[128] Those who are lenient have what to rely on, especially in a place with an eruv.[129]
  7. Sunglasses that are worn at all times for eyesight problems are considered like regular glasses, and may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat.[130]
  8. Sunglasses that are connected by a hinge to a regular pair of glasses that are regularly worn may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat as long as the person doesn't remove the sunglasses totally when in the shade, rather flips up the sunglasses while they are still attached. It is best to stringent, however.[131]
  9. Sunglasses worn on doctor's orders and are not removed even when one is in his house are judged like regular glasses, and may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat.[132]

A Hearing-aid

  1. A person who is hard of hearing may wear a hearing-aid on Shabbat, even in a public domain without an eruv. One need not be concerned with considerations of electricity or carrying as long as the hearing-aid is securely in his ear, and he turned it on before Shabbat and leaves it on until after Shabbat.[133]

Cane and Wheelchair

  1. Someone who can't walk without a cane may walk in a public domain with the cane.[134] If the person walks at home without a cane and only uses a cane outside he may not walk with it in a public domain on Shabbat.[135] Someone who could walk without a cane but because it is icy outside he is afraid of slipping, it is forbidden to walk out with a cane unless there is an eruv.[136]
  2. Within an eruv it is permitted to walk with a cane either to help one walk or to for the appearance, however, it is forbidden for no purpose at all.[137]
  3. A wheelchair is different from a cane and even if a person can't walk without a wheelchair he may not go out with a wheelchair on Shabbat to a public domain.[138]

Sources

  1. The first Mishna in Maseches Shabbos explains that there is an issur deoraisa for a person to take an object from a reshus hayachid on Shabbos and place the object into a reshus harabim or vise versa. One who does so has violated Hotzah. There is also a rabbinic prohibition to do half of the melacha, by either picking up the object (akira) in order to transfer it or to place it down (hanacha) after it has been transferred. The Gemara (Shabbos 4a) indicates that akira and hanacha are only prohibited if the object is placed or removed from a platform of four by four tefachim. Interestingly, the Gemara (5a) states that a person’s hand is treated as if it is four by four tefachim.
  2. Rashi Mishna 2a states that the source for Hotzah is “Vayichale ha’am me’havee” (Shemot 36:6) in which Moshe Rabbeinu commands Klal Yisroel to stop bringing donations for the Mishkan. However, the Ri (Eruvin 17b, Shabbos 2a) states that the source for Hotzah is “Al yaytzay ish mimkomo” (Shemot 16:29) which states that one may not leave one’s domain while carrying. It is imperative to point out that while most melachos are learned from the construction of the mishkan, Hotzah requires pesukim be established as a melacha. Tosfot and Ramban on 2a both address this inconsistency and explain that since Meleches Hotzah is inferior, or garuah, in nature (See their respective explanations what exactly the deficiency is, see also Ohr Zarua’s siman 82) it requires pesukim to clarify that it still is considered one of the 39 melachos and was also done in the Mishkan.(See Tos 96b)
    This concept of Melacha Garua has a considerable amount of practical applications. For instance, the Chayei Adam (Shabbos 9:11) states that an object that has been illicitly carried on Shabbos may still be used, in contrast to other melakhot which, when violated, taint the object with a rabbinical prohibition preventing one from using the object. Furthermore, some rishonim understand that the reason the Talmud says that eiruvin is not required on Yom Tov is because Hotzah falls short of the status of a complete melakhah. See also Afikei Yam, II, 4:8.The fact that Hotzah is a Melacha Garua has ramifications also on the source of the toldos. Usually, the toldos of a melacha merely consist of actions resembling the avos logically. However, some Rishonim (See Tos 96b) learn that the toldos of Hotzah must be both similar in svara to the avos from which they are derived and practiced in the mishkan—a characteristic not found in any other melacha. The toldos of Hotzah are haavara (carrying daled amos in reshus harabim), throwing an item from reshus hayachid to reshus harabim and vice versa, throwing an item four amos in reshus harabim, and hoshata (transferring a chefetz from reshus hayachid to an adjacent reshus hayachid through a makom ptur). (Listed in the first Mishna in Perek Hazorek (96a)) It is a discussion amongst the Rishonim whether hachnasa, transferring something from a reshus harabim to a reshus hayachid, is an av or a toldah. (See Ramban 2b, Rambam Hil Shabbos)
  3. Shulchan Aruch 345:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:1
  4. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:2
  5. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:3. Rav Sar Shalom Goan (Otzar Hageonim Eruvin 6a, Responsa Shaarei Teshuva 209), Rashi (Eruvin 6a s.v. reshut harabbim), Bahag (Berlin p. 131, quoted by Tosfot Eruvin 6a), Tosfot (Eruvin 6a s.v. keysad, Shabbat 6b s.v. kaan), Tosfot Rid (Eruvin 59a, Sh"t Harid n. 107), Mordechai (Shabbat n. 294), Agudah Eruvin 5:56, Piskei Rav Menachem Mendel Klausner (Shabbat 6a), Rav Yechezkel Magdeburg (Shabbat 5b), Rivavan (Shabbat 2a), Riaz (Eruvin 1:5, 5:1), Maharam Rotenberg (Karmina n. 69), Rosh (Eruvin 1:8, Beitzah 3:8, Tosfot Harosh Eruvin 6a s.v. keysad), Raavan (Shabbat n. 349; see Hagahot Mordechai (end of ch. 10) who quotes Rabbi Elazar that disagreed with Rashi and Mishkenaot Yakov 120 posits that this is the Raavan.), Ravyah (Hilchot Eruvin n. 379), and Rashbash (responsa n. 559) hold that a city must have 600,000 in order to be a reshut harabbim. Rabbenu Pertz (Eruvin 6a), Ramban (Eruvin 59a s.v. Mishna), Rashba (responsa 1:722), Ritva (Eruvin 59a), Ran (Chidushei Haran Eruvin 6a), Rambam (as cited by Ritva Eruvin 59a), and Rivash (responsa 405) argue.
    • Ramban makes a suggestion for Rashi that perhaps an intercity highway doesn't need 600,000 to be a reshut harabbim.
    • Ran (Meyuchas Lran Shabbat 6b s.v. kaan) in name of Raah writes that even Rashi holds that it isn't necessary to actually have a population of 600,000. It only requires a path that is normally travelled by many people like 600,000 even though they weren't all there simultaneously. Meiri Eruvin 2a agrees.
  6. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:4
  7. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 81:5
  8. Rama 346:3
  9. Responsa n. 120
  10. One minor argument he tacks on is that even in a mavoy mefulash there is a dispute whether a tzurat hapetach is sufficient. The Rashba and Rabbenu Yehonatan hold that doors are necessary. Even though most rishonim (Rif, Rambam, and Rosh) are lenient about this point, he brings 2 proofs from the gemara for the Rashba.
  11. s.v. v'ad
  12. Eruvin 17b
  13. Hilchot Shabbat 17:33
  14. Tosfot Eruvin 6a s.v. keysad, also cited by Ritva Eruvin 59a
  15. See, however, Piskei Riaz 5:1 where he quotes 600,000 as a requirement. This is reiterated in Riaz 1:1:5 that 600,000 is a requirement.
  16. Roke'ach 173 and 175 is clear that he holds like Rashi that a population 600,000 is necessary for a reshut harabbim.
  17. Mishkenot Yakov 120 s.v. amnam based on Hagahot Ashri (Eruvin 1:8), Tosfot Eruvin 62b s.v. vrebbe, and Ritva Eruvin 22a who sound like ayti rabbim applies even in a non-reshut harabbim.
  18. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. u'lifi zeh
  19. 26 s.v. vachshava
  20. Bet Efraim isn't clear about within what span of time 600,000 must travel to that city. In passing he writes that certainly if 600,000 does not frequent there at least within two years it isn't a reshut harabbim.
  21. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. v'atta navo proves this from the Pirush Mishnayot where he writes that we do not follow Rabbi Yehuda about ayti rabbim umevatel mechitzta. He also shows that this is his position in Hilchot Shabbat 17:33, as already noted by the Maggid Mishna and Hagahot Maimoni there. In paragraph s.v. ach ma shekatuv harashba, he notes that Rashba 3:269 (cited by Kesef Mishna Shabbat 17:10) understood that Rambam paskens like Rabbi Yehuda, however, Bet Efraim brings several proofs against this.
  22. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. ivra
  23. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. teshuva makes this point that Rif and Rosh pasken like rabbanan from the fact that they quote the Mishna Eruvin 22a without comment and rabbanan are the majority opinion. Another proof is from the fact that they quote the Mishna Taharot cited on 8a, which according to the gemara 22b must be understood like rabbanan (26 s.v. v'od nireh).
    • In paragraph s.v. v'acharei he proves that Tosfot Eruvin 6b s.v. vha'amar and Tosfot Yeshanim Shabbat 6a ruled like rabbanan.
  24. Hagahot Ashri (Eruvin 1:8) writes that a tzurat hapetach is sufficient for a mavoy mefulash only if the inhabitants of a mavoy travel through it, but if all the townspeople travel through the mavoy they would uproot the tzurat hapetach. He concludes with the words of the Ram from Ivra that this point is true even for Rashi that requires a population of 600,000. Mishkenot Yakov interpreted this to mean that even if we hold like Rashi as long as the townspeople travel on this road they invalidate a tzurat hapetach. He adds that this is also the opinion of Tosfot Eruvin 62b s.v. vrabbi [quoted and accepted by Or Zaruah (2:168), Smag (Aseh Derabbanan 1), and Aguda (Eruvin 6:60)]. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. ach el zeh abit argues that he's discussing a case where there is a reshut harabbim on either side of the street in question. According to Rashi, the reshut harabbim requires 600,000 and then if there is 600,000 on either side then the street used by the townspeople in between is also a reshut harabbim.
  25. In the same vein, they argue about the interpretation of the Maharam who writes that in an area that isn't a reshut harabbim because it lacks 600,000 but is used by the whole town can be permitted with doors. Bet Efraim reads Maharam as saying that even tzurat hapetach is sufficient, while Mishkenot Yakov argues that tzurat hapetach is insufficient and specifically doors are necessary. Igrot Moshe 1:139:3 agrees with Bet Efraim on this point. [Though, Igrot Moshe 1:139:3 writes that even the Maharam agrees with Ri in the case where there are 600,000 and is a karmelit for another reason that it needs doors and perhaps they need to be closed.]
  26. Ritva 22a s.v. derabbanan and kaan writes that doors that close at night are necessary even if the street isn't 16 amot wide. Mishkenot Yakov quotes this as a proof that doors which close are necessary even not for a reshut harabbim if there are masses passing through. Bet Efraim argues that Ritva means that the doors are only necessary if it is a reshut harabbim even though it isn't 16 amot wide since on either side it is a reshut harabbim.
  27. Bet Efraim 27 s.v. v'al kol panim mevu'ar
  28. 345:16-23
  29. Rav Moshe in OC 5:28 disagreed with this chidush of the Aruch Hashulchan.
  30. Chazon Ish OC 107:5
  31. Chazon Ish OC 65:45 holds that once an area is a reshut hayachid because of omed merubeh on 3 walls, the area it enclosed is like it has 4 complete walls closing it off. Those walls can then be used to enclose other areas.
  32. OC 1:139. See also OC 1:138, 4:87-89, 5:28-29, and Hashmata to 4:89.
  33. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. vlifi zeh writes that we don't follow this Rashba either because we hold like rabbanan or we follow Rashi and there isn't a population of 600,000.
  34. Rashba 22a s.v. vkayma lan, Ritva 22a s.v. vkayma lan, Meiri Eruvin 18a s.v. v'anan, 20a s.v. vklal all hold like R' Yehuda and not Rabbanan. This also is the opinion of Ramban (Milchamot 6a) in understanding the Rif and Baal Hameor is also concerned for Rabbi Yehuda.
  35. Rabbenu Chananel (Shabbat 101a) proves that we hold like rabbanan from Shabbat 100a.
  36. Hilchot Shabbat 17:33 as understood by Maggid Mishna and Hagahot Maimoniyot and also explicit in Pirush Mishnayot (Eruvin 2:4)
  37. Tosfot Rid (Mehudra Telita Eruvin 22a s.v. vkol) holds like rabbanan.
  38. Riaz (Eruvin 2:1:7) holds like rabbanan. See Menuchat Ahava v. 3 p. 271 who proved that Riaz held like Rabbi Yehuda from earlier (1:1:5), really that is only because of the issue of how to close a reshut harabbim but not because of the issue of ayti rabbim.
  39. Shabbat 1:201 rules like the opinion of Rabbanan. See also 1:379 where he discusses Rabbi Yochanan but doesn't clarify whether the halacha is like Rabbi Yochanan.
  40. Sefer Hameorot (Eruvin 17a)
  41. Eruvin 2:4
  42. Bet Efraim proves that Tosfot Eruvin 6b s.v. vha'amar holds like rabbanan. Rav Chaim Volozhin also assumes Tosfot hold like Rabbanan.
  43. Mishkenot Yakov OC 121 s.v. od rules like Rabbi Yehuda and rejects the Knesset Yechezkel, Chacham Tzvi, and Mayim Rabbim since they didn't investigate the topic and they're against the rishonim such as Ramban.
  44. Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6
  45. Shoshanim Ldovid (Eruvin 2:4), Chatom Sofer 1:89 s.v. ma nishar, and Imrei Yosher 1:2 hold like rabbanan. Bet Efraim 26 s.v. vheneh quotes that Magen Avraham 363:30, Chacham Tzvi 37, and Mayim Rabbim 34-35 follow rabbanan. Or Letzion 1:30 and Yabia Omer 9:33 agree with rabbanan. Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar in Or Torah v. 666 p. 780 questioned whether Sephardim should follow Rabbi Yehuda. Menuchat Ahava v. 3 p. 371 also is of the opinion that we follow Rabbi Yehuda.
  46. Bet Efraim 26-27
  47. Chazon Ish OC 107:4
  48. Mishkenot Yakov 120 s.v. amnam based on Hagahot Ashri (Eruvin 1:8)
  49. Bet Efraim 26. Biur Halacha 345:9 s.v. vsheni seems to understand Hagahot Ashri like the Bet Efraim that there's reshut harabbim on both sides.
  50. Chazon Ish OC 74:9 is lenient because we don't follow the Hagahot Ashri and ayti rabbim depends on a reshut harabbim.
  51. Mishkenot Yakov 121 s.v. hayotzei rejects this because there are gaps more than 10 amot.
  52. Chazon Ish 112:5 s.v. vbchazon writes that a gap of more than 10 for rabbanan or 13.3 amot for Rabbi Yehuda is deoritta when making pasi biraot. However, if there is omed merubeh then a gap of ten is only derabbanan.
  53. Chazon Ish OC 107:5 holds that omed merubeh is much better than pasi biraot and works mdeoritta even if there are gaps more than 10 amot mdeoritta. His argument assumes that we hold like rabbanan. Rav Chaim Ozer (Achiezer 4:8) agrees with Chazon Ish's idea that omed merubeh walls can enclose a reshut harabbim mdeoritta. Rav Yonatan Shteif (Teshuvot 68) agrees with Chazon Ish's idea that buildings can form omed merubeh.
  54. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe OC 5:28:3) explained that omed merubeh doesn't work to enclose a street if the walls, such as building walls, were made to allow public traffic to go through. In Mesoret Moshe v. 1 pp. 124-125 he also quotes that Rav Moshe was vehemently against the Chazon Ish's view on Eruvin because it wasn't how it was assumed until today.
  55. Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6 explains that omed merubeh can't be constructed from different parts of houses and street walls because omed merubeh can't connect two walls that cross a reshut harabbim, or even a break more than 10 amot.
  56. Rav Belsky (Shulchan Halevi ch. 11) held that omed merubeh can't be made up of disparate pieces of a few houses, buildings, fences, etc since each of them are different entities and not seen as one omed merubeh wall.
  57. Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 3 p. 59 quotes that Rav Elyashiv didn't allow an eruv with three walls that were omed merubeh around a reshut harabbim. In Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 1 he explains Rav Moshe's approach and those who disagree with the Chazon Ish.
  58. Biur Halacha 364:2 s.v. vachar based on Tosfot Eruvin 11a s.v. iylayma
  59. Arichat Shulchan Halevi 1 collects several achronim who think that tzurat hapetach works to enclose a reshut harabbim mdeoritta: Pri Megadim (Rosh Yosef Shabbat 6b), Shulchan Aruch Harav 364:4, Rav Chaim Volozhin (Nishmat Chaim), Geon Yakov (Eruvin 11a), Tzemech Tzedek (end of ch. 5), Eshel Avraham 345), Yeshuot Malko (OC 21), Avnei Nezer 273:16, 279:2, 289:2, Aruch Hashulchan 364:1, and Levush Mordechai OC 4.
  60. Mishkenot Yakov OC 121 s.v. vgam. In Mishkenot Yakov OC 121 s.v. vyesh he quotes that Rashi, Bartenura, Rif, Rosh, Baal Hamoer, Ramban, Rabbenu Efraim, Ritva, Smag, Smak, Raavan, Ri, Maharam, Rashba, Rivash, Ran, Tur, and Shulchan Aruch who hold that to enclose a reshut harabbim doors that close are necessary.
  61. Bet Efraim 27 s.v. v'ata avo
  62. Igrot Moshe OC 1:139 requires doors where there is a reshut harabbim or even a karmelit with a lot of people traveling.
  63. Chazon Ish OC 74:4
  64. Bet Efraim counts 25 rishonim who agree with Rashi. See Arichat Shulchan Halevi 1 who counts 42 rishonim who agree with Rashi. Rav Moshe (Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 126) said that it doesn't matter how many rishonim we find since it was an established minhag it can remain a minhag.
  65. Yabia Omer OC 9:33
  66. eruvonline.blogspot.com quotes Rav Aharon as not relying on Rashi's opinion to require 600,000. It might also be implied in Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6 where he quotes the Mishna Brurah as holding that majority of rishonim disagree with Rashi.
  67. Shulchan Halevi 11
  68. Kaf Hachaim 345:39, Eshel Avraham (at the end of 345 s.v. po), Igrot Moshe 1:139:6 s.v. uma based on Tosfot Eruvin 6a. See Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) who suggests that women and non-Jews don't count towards the 600,000 since it needs to be similar to the count in the desert.
  69. Rashi Eruvin 59a, Igrot Moshe 1:139:5, 4:87 s.v. v'b'ir. See Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) who suggests that guests don't count towards the 600,000 since it needs to be similar to the count in the desert.
  70. Although Yeshot Malko OC 27 holds that people in trains don't count towards the 600,000 because they are enclosed in a reshut hayachid, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe OC 1:139, 5:28:2) rejects this completely. Rav Yonatan Shteif (Teshuvot 68 s.v. vheneh) agreed with the Yeshuot Malko and explains that people in cars don't count because it isn't similar to the way people walked in the desert. Rav Elya Meir Bloch (Kol Tzvi p. 19) argued and proved that people in cars count just like the Magen Avraham 363:30 writes that people in boats count towards the 600,000.
  71. This is the implication of the Bet Efraim and Mishkenot Yakov. Arichat Shulchan Halevi 4 understands that Rav Belsky includes population even indoors but challenges him from Rav Moshe.
  72. Igrot Moshe OC 1:139, 4:87. Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) seems to suggest that children and sick people who stay indoors don't count towards the 600,000.
  73. Bet Efraim (26 s.v. vamnam b'ezras Hashem), Rav Chaim Ozer (Achiezer 4:8), Chazon Ish (cited by Achiezer 4:8), Rav Belsky in Shulchan Halevi 1:11, Rav Isaac Ausband (Kol Tzvi v. 7 p. 18). Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 3 proves that that most rishonim who espouses Rashi's view hold that it depends on the city and not one street. These are his sources: Rav Shalom Goan (Chemda Genuza 70), Rashi Eruvin 6a, 47a, Tosfot Rid 59a, Tosfot Harosh 59a, Ramban 59a for Rashi, Or Zaruah 164, Sefer Haitim 206. The achronim he quotes who support this view that 600,000 includes everyone in the city include: Magen Avraham 357:11, Pri Megadim EA 357:11, Shulchan Aruch Harav 357:7, Mishna Brurah 357:25, Chachmat Shlomo 363, Maharsham 3:188, Mahari Asad 87, Rav Elchanan Yafeh in Shoel K'inyan, Divrei Malkiel (v. 3 in hashmatot), Dovev Meisharim, Minchat Yitzchak 2:112, 8:32, Teshuvot Vehanhagot 1:176, and Chelkat Yakov 100. He also quotes on p. 65 Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Elyashiv agreeing that 600,000 shouldn't be calculated by one street if there's 600,000 in the city. Yeshuot Malko OC 27 writes that shishim ribo includes everyone who is in the city. Though, he holds that for streets outside the city it is a reshut harabbim without shishim ribo.
  74. Rav Elya Meir Bloch (Kol Tzvi v. 7 p. 18) writes that it is possible to split up a city such as Manhattan with a tzurat hapetach so that in the area enclosed there's not 600,000 and then isn't a reshut harabbim. At the end he concludes that the matter needs more investigation and leaves it unresolved. This also appears to be the view of Shevet Halevi 8:177(2). Rav Yonatan Shteif (Teshuvot 68 s.v. v'ayin) implies this approach as well, but it isn't clear since he first mentions his approach that Manhattan isn't a reshut harabbim anyway because of walls.
    • Some say that this is also the view of Rav Moshe Feinstein. However, from Igrot Moshe 4:88 and 5:28:1 this seems incorrect. He writes there that one cannot make an eruv even in section of Brooklyn since within a 12x12 mil of that area there is 600,000 people.
  75. Arichat Shulchan Halevi n. 4 proves from Bet Meir 5b s.v. bishlama that shishim ribo is judged by every street individually.
  76. Igrot Moshe 1:139, 4:87. Yetziyot Hashabbat siman 3 p. 59 quotes Rav Elyashiv as disagreeing with this chiddush that 600,000 depends on the city and not 12 mil. On p. 65 he quotes that Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach also disagreed with that position of Rav Moshe.
  77. The simple language of Shulchan Aruch O.C. 345:7 indicates that this view maintains that there must be a presence of 600,000 every day. Mishna Brurah 345:24 challenges this because none of the rishonim who support this view mention that 600,000 must pass there every day. Kaf Hachaim 345:40 quotes the Levush and Shulchan Aruch Harav who accept Shulchan Aruch simply. Rav Elyashiv (Haarot Shabbat 6b) relied on the opinion that if there isn’t 600,000 every day it isn’t a reshut harabbim to allow an eruv in Yerushalayim today where there is 600,000. Igrot Moshe 1:139 and 4:87 (and Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 127) in his own way also accepts this concept that the 600,000 are present in one day. However, Mishkenot Yakov 121 s.v. v'od rejects this possibility in understanding Rashi. Bet Efraim 26 also veers from the simple understanding of one day.
  78. Igrot Moshe OC 4:87
  79. Bet Efraim 26
  80. Mishkenot Yakov 121 s.v. v'od argues that based on Ritva 22b and Riaz the way to calculate 600,000 is not based on one day or any specific amount of time. Rather as long as theoretically at some point for some need 600,000 could travel there it is a reshut harabbim. He writes that this is very common in his day in many towns that have streets open to neighboring towns. Though, he also uses language that the masses travel there frequently from far away, implying that he limits it to a metropolitan area.
  81. Nishmat Chaim
  82. Mishkenot Yakov 122 s.v. achrei writes that after seeing the Ramban he accepted it because it was similar to his understanding of Rashi.
  83. Regarding bridges and tunnels Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe 1:139:5 s.v. v'im ken) wasn't sure if they were part of the city to be counted for 600,000 but he didn't consider the possibility that 600,000 is not necessary for a highway.
  84. Mishnat Rebbe Aharon 6
  85. Chazon Ish OC 112:1-5
  86. Igrot Moshe OC 4:89 dated Chanuka 1961
  87. Igrot Moshe OC 1:139, YD 3 Hashmata to 4:89, 4:89
  88. Igrot Moshe OC 1:138-9, OC 4:87
  89. Igrot Moshe OC 4:86, Hashmata to 4:89 at end of YD 3
  90. Rabbi Efraim Glatt discusses this issue and two possible solutions.
    • The author of EruvOnline in two articles 1 and
    2 writes that in his understanding Rav Moshe didn't allow an Eruv in Brooklyn because he was lead to believe that there were 3 million people in Brooklyn and more than 600,000 in each of Flatbush and Boro Park. But had he known the actual populations he would have allowed it.
    • In 5:28:1 he writes that Brooklyn altogether has more than 600,000 people. However, in 5:28:5 he sounds like he says that separately Flatbush and Boro Park each have 600,000 people. In 4:88 says that one cannot make an eruv in Brooklyn even in one section unless an entire stretch of 12x12 mil (all of Brooklyn) doesn't have a population of 600,000.
  91. Shevet Halevi 8:177(2)
  92. Igrot Moshe OC 4:87
  93. Yabia Omer OC 9:33
  94. Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 125
  95. jewishhomela.com
  96. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:1. The derabbanan prohibitions of Hotzah include doing an akira without a hanacha (3a), a hanacha without an akira (3a), and Hotzah from reshus hayachid/reshus harabim to a karmelis (3b).
  97. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:2
  98. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:2
  99. Shulchan Aruch O.C. 346:1
  100. Shulchan Aruch O.C. 346:1 quotes two opinions on the matter. Birkei Yosef 346:1 explains that Shulchan Aruch rules like the lenient opinion. The Rama 372:6 is strict on the matter. Kaf Hachaim 346:17 writes that one should be strict in order to satisfy both opinions quoted in Shulchan Aruch, but that if the item was placed down in the exempt area before being transferred there is room to be lenient.
  101. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:3
  102. See Tosfot Shabbat 64b
  103. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:1-2
  104. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:12
  105. Shulchan Aruch 301:14, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:4, Mishna Brurah 301:52-3
  106. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:16
  107. Shulchan Aruch O.C. 308:41
  108. Biur Halacha 308:41 s.v. shelo forbids it as does Igrot Moshe OC 2:33. See Rabbi Akiva Eiger 1:28.
  109. Mishna Brurah 308:154, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 82:10
  110. Mishna Berurah 508:3
  111. Igros Moshe YD 2:33
  112. Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen (The Shabbos Home, v. 1, p. 121) in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein
  113. Rivivot Ephraim 1:223:14
  114. Or Letzion 2:23:7
  115. Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:225
  116. Or Yitzchak 1:126
  117. Shulchan Aruch O.C. 301:11
  118. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:27
  119. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:2, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:28
  120. Yalkut Yosef 301:31 and Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:16. Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 84:6) writes that one may wear glasses in the public domain, however, one who usually takes them off in the street shouldn't go out with them without an eruv.
  121. Yalkut Yosef 301:32, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 18:17.
  122. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 17
  123. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 16, Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:227
  124. Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 33, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 17
  125. Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 34, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18
  126. Halichot Olam Chelek 4: pg. 283
  127. Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 35, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18
  128. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18
  129. Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 35.
  130. Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 34, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18
  131. Yalkut Yosef siman 301 seif 36, shmirat shabbat perek 18 halacha 18
  132. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata perek 18 halacha 18
  133. Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata (perek 18 halacha 14), Yalkut Yosef (siman 328 seif 328 and siman 301 seif 38). See footnote 39 there where he quotes Hacham Ovadiah, Rav Shlomoh Zalman Auerbach, Rav Henkin, and the Tzitz Eliezer who ruled leniently as well.
  134. Tosfot (Shabbat 65b s.v. hakiteya) even writes that on Shabbat it is permitted for someone who needs a cane to walk to go out with it to a public domain on Shabbat since it is like shoes for him. Rashba (Beitzah 25b s.v. ein) and Ran (Beitzah 14a s.v. gemara tanu) agree with Tosfot. The Shitah Mikubeset (Beitzah 25b s.v. vekatav mori) quotes the Radvaz who argues with Tosfot but concludes that he doesn't feel confident to reject the ruling of Rabbenu Tam that it is permitted. Shulchan Aruch OC 301:17 accepts the opinion of Tosfot.
  135. Mishna Brurah 301:64
  136. Mishna Brurah 301:65. Birkei Yosef 301:3 writes that if it is muddy out and one wants to use a cane not to slip one may not use a cane except in a private domain.
  137. Mishna Brurah 301:66 writes that it is forbidden to walk with a cane in an eruv if there's no purpose for the cane because it is a desecration of Yom Tov (see Beitzah 25b).
  138. Rav Paalim 1:25, Minchat Yitzchak 2:114, Shemirat Shabbat Khilchata (ch. 34 fnt. 101)
Category Topic
Mitzvot of Shabbat
Kiddush Levana - Enjoying Shabbat - Fourth meal of Shabbat - Havdalah - Having a meal on Friday - In the Spirit of Shabbat - Kiddush - Lighting Shabbat Candles - Making Early Shabbat - Making one hundred Brachot on Shabbat - Preparing foods on Shabbat - Preparing for Shabbat - Shenayim Mikrah - Kavod Shabbat - Shabbos Davening - Seudat Shabbat - Seudat Shelishit - Lechem Mishneh - Motzei Shabbat - When Does Shabbat Start?
Restrictions of Shabbat
Allowing Carrying Using an Eruv Chatzerot - Animals on Shabbat - Asking a Jew to work on Shabbat - Asking a non-Jew to work on Shabbat (Amirah LeNochri) - Benefiting from a Violation of Shabbat (Maaseh Shabbat) - Books, notebooks, and papers - Brushing Teeth on Shabbat - Building a structure on Shabbat (Boneh) - Carrying on Shabbat - Cleaning the dishes - Cleaning and Folding Garments on Shabbat - Clearing the table - Cooking (Ofeh and Bishul) - Cosmetics on Shabbat - Dancing and clapping on Shabbat - Electricity on Shabbat - Eruv Chatzerot - Eruvin - Games on Shabbat - Getting dressed on Shabbat - Giving birth on Shabbat - Grinding (Tochen) - Handling objects on Shabbat (Muktzeh) - Infants on Shabbat - Introduction to the Modern Eruv - Kneading (Lash) - Mail on Shabbat - Medicine on Shabbat (Refuah on Shabbat) - Melacha That Begins Before Shabbat - Opening bottles and containers (Boneh) - Plants on Shabbat (Zoreah) - Preparing for after Shabbat (Hachana) - Reading on Shabbat (Daber Davar) - Recreation on Shabbat - Sechirut Reshut - Separating mixtures (Borer) - Squeezing fruits (Sechita) - Speaking on Shabbat (Daber Davar) - Taking a cruise over Shabbat - Taking measurements on Shabbat - Techum - Transactions on Shabbat - Transportation on Shabbat - Going to and Staying in the Hospital on Shabbat - Wages on Shabbat (Sachar Shabbat) - Washing one’s body on Shabbat
Melachos
Introduction to Melechet Machshevet - Marbeh Bshiurim - Plowing - Planting - Harvesting - Gathering - Threshing - Winnowing - Separating - Grinding - Sifting - Kneading - Baking and Cooking - Shearing - Laundering - Combing - Dyeing - Spinning - Mounting warp threads - Making two loops - Weaving - Unraveling fabric - Tying - Untying - Gluing, taping, or stapling - Ripping - Trapping - Slaughtering - Skinning - Tanning - Smoothing - Scoring - Cutting precisely - Writing - Erasing - Building - Demolishing - Completing a vessel - Extinguishing a flame - Kindling a fire - Carrying