1The following rules apply when there is a window between two courtyards: If the window is four handbreadths by four handbreadths1 or larger and it is within ten handbreadths of the ground—whether it is almost entirely above ten handbreadths and only a small portion is within ten handbreadths, or it is almost entirely within ten handbreadths and only a small portion is above ten handbreadths—an option is granted to the inhabitants of the courtyards.2 If they desire to join in a single eruv, they may. This causes the entire area to be considered a single courtyard, and carrying is permitted from one courtyard to the other.3 If they desire, they may make two eruvim, one for the inhabitants of each of the respective courtyards. It is then forbidden to carry from one courtyard to the other.אחַלּוֹן שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת: אִם יֵשׁ בּוֹ אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים עַל אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים אוֹ יָתֵר עַל זֶה, וְהָיָה קָרוֹב מִן הָאָרֶץ בְּתוֹךְ עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים, אֲפִלּוּ כֻּלּוֹ לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲשָׂרָה וּמִקְצָתוֹ בְּתוֹךְ עֲשָׂרָה, אוֹ כֻּלּוֹ בְּתוֹךְ עֲשָׂרָה וּמִקְצָתוֹ לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲשָׂרָה: אִם רָצוּ יוֹשְׁבֵי שְׁתֵּי הַחֲצֵרוֹת לְעָרֵב כֻּלָּן עֵרוּב אֶחָד, הָרְשׁוּת בְּיָדָן, וְיֵעָשׂוּ כְּחָצֵר אַחַת, וִיטַלְטְלוּ מִזּוֹ לְזוֹ. וְאִם רָצוּ, מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין, אֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן וְאֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן.
If the windows are smaller than four handbreadths by four handbreadths or the entire window is above ten handbreadths from the ground,4 they may make two eruvim, one for the inhabitants of each of the respective courtyards. הָיָה הַחַלּוֹן פָּחוֹת מֵאַרְבָּעָה, אוֹ שֶׁהָיָה כֻּלּוֹ לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲשָׂרָה - מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין, אֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן וְאֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן.
2When does the above apply? To a window between two courtyards. When, by contrast, the window is between two houses,5 the inhabitants are permitted to make an eruv even if the window is above ten handbreadths from the ground.6 Similarly, when there is an aperture between a house and a loft, if the inhabitants desire to establish a single eruv they may, even if there is not a ladder leading to the aperture, provided the aperture is four handbreadths by four handbreadths.בבַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בְּחַלּוֹן שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת. אֲבָל שֶׁבֵּין שְׁנֵי בָּתִּים, אֲפִלּוּ הָיָה לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲשָׂרָה, וְכֵן חַלּוֹן שֶׁבֵּין בַּיִת לַעֲלִיָּה - אִם רָצוּ מְעָרְבִין עֵרוּב אֶחָד, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין בֵּינֵיהֶם סֻלָּם, וְהוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בּוֹ אַרְבָּעָה עַל אַרְבָּעָה.
If the aperture is round and it can circumscribe a square that is four handbreadths by four handbreadths, it is considered as if it were square. הָיָה חַלּוֹן עָגוּל - אִם יֵשׁ בּוֹ כְּדֵי לְרַבֵּעַ בּוֹ אַרְבָּעָה עַל אַרְבָּעָה הֲרֵי הוּא כִּמְרֻבָּע.
3When there is a wall or a mound of hay that is less than ten handbreadths high7 between two courtyards, the inhabitants must make a single eruv and may not make two eruvim. If the wall or the mound is ten or more handbreadths high, they must make two eruvim, one for each of the respective courtyards.גכּוֹתֶל שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת אוֹ מַתְבֵּן שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת: פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים - מְעָרְבִין עֵרוּב אֶחָד, וְאֵין מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם; הָיָה גָּבוֹהַּ עֲשָׂרָה אוֹ יָתֵר עַל כֵּן - מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין, אֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן וְאֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן.

Mishneh Torah (Moznaim)

Featuring a modern English translation and a commentary that presents a digest of the centuries of Torah scholarship which have been devoted to the study of the Mishneh Torah by Maimonides.

If there is a ladder8 on either side of the wall,9 it is considered to be an entrance, and if they desire, the inhabitants may establish a single eruv. Even if the ladder is standing upright, next to the wall, and it is impossible to ascend it without moving its lower portion away from the wall, it permits them to participate in a single eruv. Moreover, even if the top of the ladder does not reach the top of the wall, if there are less than three handbreadths between them,10 it permits them to participate in a single eruv if they desire. וְאִם הָיָה בֵּינֵיהֶם סֻלָּם מִכָּאן וְסֻלָּם מִכָּאן, הֲרֵי הֵן כְּפֶתַח, וְאִם רָצוּ מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד. וְאַפִלּוּ הָיָה הַסֻּלָּם זָקוּף וְסָמוּךְ לַכּוֹתֶל, שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵין יְכוֹלִין לַעֲלוֹת בּוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּמָּשֵׁךְ וְיִתְרַחֵק מִתַּחְתָּיו מִן הַכּוֹתֶל - הֲרֵי זֶה מַתִּיר. וְאַפִלּוּ לֹא הָיָה מַגִּיעַ רֹאשׁ הַסֻּלָּם לְרֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל - אִם נִשְׁאָר בֵּינֵיהֶן פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁלוֹשָׁה, הֲרֵי זֶה מַתִּיר, וּמְעָרְבִין אֶחָד אִם רָצוּ.
4If the wall is four handbreadths wide and a ladder is positioned on either side of the wall, the inhabitants may make a single eruv, if they desire.11 דהָיָה הַכּוֹתֶל רָחָב אַרְבָּעָה, וְעָשָׂה סֻלָּם מִכָּאן וְסֻלָּם מִכָּאן , אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַסֻּלָּמוֹת מְרוּחָקוֹת זֶה מִזֶּה - אִם רָצוּ מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד.
If the wall is not four handbreadths wide, and there are less than three handbreadths between the two ladders, they may make a single eruv.12 If there are more than three handbreadths between the ladders, they must make two eruvim.13 אֵין בְּרֹחַב הַכּוֹתֶל אַרְבָּעָה: אִם אֵין בֵּין הַסֻּלָּמוֹת שְׁלוֹשָׁה, מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד; הָיָה בֵּינֵיהֶם שְׁלוֹשָׁה, מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם.
5The following rules apply when one builds a bench14 above a bench at the side of a wall separating two courtyards: If the lower bench is four handbreadths high, we consider it as if the height of the wall were reduced.15 If the lower bench is not four handbreadths high, but there are less than three handbreadths between it and the upper bench, we consider it as if the height of the wall were reduced. In such situations, if the inhabitants of the courtyards desire, they may make a single eruv. Similar principles apply regarding wooden steps placed close to a wall. הבָּנָה מַצֵּבָה עַל גַּבֵּי מַצֵּבָה בְּצַד הַכּוֹתֶל: אִם יֵשׁ בַּתַּחְתּוֹנָה אַרְבָּעָה - מְמַעֵט; אֵין בַּתַּחְתּוֹנָה אַרְבָּעָה, וְאֵין בֵּינָהּ לְבֵין הָעֶלְיוֹנָה שְׁלוֹשָׁה - מְמַעֵט; וְאִם רָצוּ, מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד. וְכֵן בְּמַדְרֵגוֹת שֶׁל עֵץ שֶׁסְּמָכָן לַכּוֹתֶל.
6The following rules apply when there is a high wall separating two courtyards, and a projection16 protrudes from the middle of the wall: If less than ten cubits remain from the projection to the top of the wall, one may lean a ladder in front of the projection,17 and this grants the inhabitants the option of making a single eruv. If, however, one stands the ladder against the wall at the side of the projection, we do not consider it as if the height of the wall were reduced.18 וכּוֹתֶל גָּבוֹהַּ שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת וְזִיז יוֹצֵא בְּאֶמְצָעִיתוֹ: אִם נִשְׁאָר מִן הַזִּיז עַד רֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה - מַנִּיחַ סֻלָּם לִפְנֵי הַזִּיז, וּמְעָרְבִין אֶחָד אִם רָצוּ; אֲבָל אִם הִנִּיחַ הַסֻּלָּם בְּצַד הַזִּיז - אֵינוֹ מְמַעֵט.
If the wall is nineteen handbreadths high, it is sufficient to have a projection protrude for the inhabitants to have the option of making a single eruv. For there are less than ten handbreadths from the earth to the projection, and less than ten handbreadths from the projection to the top of the wall.19הָיָה הַכּוֹתֶל גָּבוֹהַּ תִּשְׁעָה עָשָׂר טֶפַח - מוֹצִיא זִיז אֶחָד בָּאֶמְצָע, וּמְעָרְבִין אֶחָד אִם רָצוּ; שֶׁהֲרֵי מִן הַזִּיז עַד הָאָרֶץ פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה, וּמִן הַזִּיז עַד רֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה.
Were the wall to be twenty handbreadths high, two projections are required for the inhabitants to have the option of establishing a single eruv. Moreover, the projections may not be parallel to each other:20 In this way, there will be less than ten handbreadths between the lower projection and the ground, and less than ten handbreadths between the upper projection and the top of the wall. הָיָה הַכּוֹתֶל גָּבוֹהַּ עֶשְׂרִים טֶפַח, צָרִיךְ שְׁנֵי זִיזִין זֶה שֶׁלֹּא כְּנֶגֶד זֶה, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֵּין הַזִּיז הַתַּחְתּוֹן וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה, וּבֵין הַזִּיז הָעֶלְיוֹן וּבֵין רֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה, וּמְעָרְבִין אֶחָד אִם רָצוּ.
7If a date palm is chopped down and inclined from the earth to the top of a wall, the inhabitants have the option of establishing a single eruv.21 It is not necessary for them to make it a permanent part of the structure. Similarly, the very weight of a ladder22 causes it to be considered as having been placed permanently; it is not necessary to affix it to the structure.זדֶּקֶל שֶׁחֲתָכוֹ וּסְמָכוֹ עַל רֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל וְעַל הָאָרֶץ - מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד אִם רָצוּ, וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְקָבְעוֹ בַּבִּנְיָן. וְכֵן הַסֻּלָּם - כָּבְדוֹ קוֹבְעוֹ, וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְחַבְּרוֹ בַּבִּנְיָן.
If the divider separating two courtyards is made of straw,23 the inhabitants may not make a single eruv although there are ladders on either side. A person will not ascend the ladder, because nothing is supporting it.24 If the ladders are in the center, leaning on a firm support, and there is straw on either side, the inhabitants have the option of making two eruvin.25 הָיוּ קַשִּׁין מַבְדִּילִין בֵּין שְׁתֵּי הַחֲצֵרוֹת, וְסֻלָּם מִכָּאן וְסֻלָּם מִכָּאן - אֵין מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד; שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵין כַּף הָרֶגֶל עוֹלֶה בַּסֻּלָּם, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ עַל מַה יִסְמֹךְ. הָיָה הַסֻּלָּם בָּאֶמְצָע, וְקַשִּׁין מִכָּאן וְקַשִּׁין מִכָּאן - אִם רָצוּ מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם.
8When there is a tree at the side of the wall, and it was used as a ladder for the wall, the inhabitants have the option of making a single eruv. Although it is forbidden to ascend a tree on the Sabbath, since the prohibition is only a sh’vut,26 this does not cause the option to be denied.27 חהָיָה אִילָן בְּצַד הַכּוֹתֶל, וְעָשָׂהוּ סֻלָּם לַכּוֹתֶל - אִם רָצוּ מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד, הוֹאִיל וְאִסּוּר שְׁבוּת הוּא שֶׁגָּרַם לוֹ שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה בָּאִילָן.
If an asherah28 has been made to serve as a ladder for a wall, the inhabitants do not have the option of making a single eruv. For ascending the asherah is forbidden by Scriptural Law, since one is forbidden to derive any benefit from it.29 עָשָׂה אֲשֵׁרָה סֻלָּם לַכּוֹתֶל - אֵין מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאָסוּר לַעֲלוֹת עָלֶיהָ מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁהֲרֵי הִיא אֲסוּרָה בַּהֲנָיָה.
9The following rules apply when a wall is ten handbreadths high, and the inhabitants desire to tear down a portion of the wall to reduce its height so that they will be able to establish a single eruv. They have the option of establishing a single eruv, provided the portion whose height they reduce is at least four handbreadths long.30 If the inhabitants of one of the adjoining courtyards tear down a portion of their side of the wall so that it is less than ten handbreadths high, they are granted permission to use the shorter portion of the wall.31 The remainder of the wall that is high is divided between the inhabitants of both courtyards. טכּוֹתֶל שֶׁגָּבוֹהַּ עֲשָׂרָה, וּבָא לְמַעֲטוֹ כְּדֵי לְעָרֵב עֵרוּב אֶחָד, אִם יֵשׁ בְּאֹרֶךְ הַמִּעוּט אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים, מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד. סָתַר מִקְצַת הַכּוֹתֶל עַד שֶׁנִּתְמַעֵט מֵעֲשָׂרָה - צִדּוֹ הַקָּצֵר, נוֹתְנִין אוֹתוֹ לְחָצֵר זוֹ, וּשְׁאָר הַכּוֹתֶל הַגָּבוֹהַּ, לְבֵין שְׁתֵּי הַחֲצֵרוֹת.
10The following rules apply when a high wall between two courtyards is breached: If the breach is ten cubits wide or less, they still may establish two eruvin.32 They do, however, have the option of establishing a single eruv, because the breach can be considered to be an opening. If the breach is more than ten cubits wide, their only option is to establish a single eruv; they may not establish two eruvin.33 ינִפְרַץ הַכּוֹתֶל הַגָּבוֹהַּ שֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶן: אִם הָיְתָה הַפִּרְצָה עַד עֶשֶׂר אַמּוֹת, מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין; וְאִם רָצוּ, מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא כְּפֶתַח. וְאִם הָיְתָה יָתֵר מֵעֶשֶׂר - מְעָרְבִין עֵרוּב אֶחָד וְאֵין מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין.
11If the breach is less than ten cubits wide, and one desires to make it more than ten cubits, it is necessary to hollow out34 a portion of the wall ten handbreadths high.35 When this is done, the only option remaining is to establish a single eruv.יאהָיְתָה הַפִּרְצָה פָּחוֹת מֵעֶשֶׂר, וּבָא לְהַשְׁלִימָהּ לְיָתֵר מֵעֶשֶׂר - חוֹקֵק בַּכּוֹתֶל גֹּבַהּ עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים, וּמְעָרְבִין עֵרוּב אֶחָד.
As an initial preference, if one desires to open a breach larger than ten cubits in the wall, it is necessary that the height of the breach be equivalent to that of an ordinary person.36 וְאִם בָּא לִפְרֹץ לְכַתְּחִלָּה פִּרְצָה יָתֵר מֵעֶשֶׂר בְּכָל הַכּוֹתֶל, צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת גֹּבַהּ הַפִּרְצָה מְלוֹא קוֹמָתוֹ.
12When there is a trench at least ten handbreadths deep and at least four handbreadths wide between two courtyards, it is necessary for the inhabitants to establish two eruvin.37 If its dimensions are less than this, the inhabitants must establish a single eruv; they do not have the option of establishing two eruvin.38 If the depth of the trench is reduced by adding earth or pebbles, the inhabitants must establish a single eruv; they do not have the option of establishing two eruvin.39 For it can be assumed that the earth and the stones were intended to become a permanent part of the trench.40 If, by contrast, one reduced the depth of the trench by adding straw or hay, the reduction is not significant unless one intends41 that they become a permanent part of the trench. יבחָרִיץ שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת: עָמוֹק עֲשָׂרָה וְרָחָב אַרְבָּעָה אוֹ יָתֵר - מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין; פָּחוֹת מִכָּאן - מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד וְאֵין מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם. וְאִם מִעֵט עָמְקוֹ בְּעָפָר אוֹ בִּצְרוֹרוֹת - מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד וְאֵין מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם; שֶׁסְּתָם עָפָר וּצְרוֹרוֹת בֶּחָרִיץ מְבֻטָּלִין הֵן. אֲבָל אִם מִלָּהוּ תֶּבֶן אוֹ קַשׁ - אֵינָן מְמַעֲטִין עַד שֶׁיְּבַטֵּל.
13Similarly, if one reduces the width of the trench with a board or with reeds42 by placing them across the entire length of the trench, the inhabitants must establish a single eruv; they do not have the option of establishing two eruvin. Any entity that may be carried on the Sabbath43—e.g., a basket or a cup—is not considered to reduce the depth of a trench, unless one affixes it to the earth firmly, in such a manner that one must dig with a spade to dislodge it. יגוְכֵן אִם מִעֵט רָחְבּוֹ בְּלוּחַ אוֹ בְּקָנֶה שֶׁהוֹשִׁיטוֹ בְּאֹרֶךְ כָּל הֶחָרִיץ - מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד וְאֵין מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם; וְכָל הַדָּבָר הַנִּטָּל בַּשַּׁבָּת, כְּגוֹן הַסַּל וְהַסֵּפֶל - אֵין מְמַעֲטִין בּוֹ, אֶלָא אִם כֵּן חִבְּרוֹ בָּאָרֶץ חִבּוּר שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְשָׁמְטוֹ עַד שֶׁיַּחְפֹּר בַּדֶּקֶר.
14When one places a board that is at least four handbreadths wide across the trench, the board is considered to be an entrance. Therefore, the inhabitants may establish a single eruv. They also have the option of establishing two eruvin. Similar rules apply when two balconies are positioned opposite each other across the public domain, and a board is extended from one balcony to the other.44 The inhabitants may establish a single eruv. They also have the option of establishing two eruvin, each one for his own balcony.ידנָתַן לוּחַ שֶׁרָחָב אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים עַל רֹחַב הֶחָרִיץ, מְעָרְבִין אֶחָד; וְאִם רָצוּ, מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין. וְכֵן שְׁתֵּי גְזֻזְטְרָאוֹת זוֹ כְּנֶגֶד זוֹ, אִם הוֹשִׁיט לוּחַ שֶׁרָחָב אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים מִזּוֹ לְזוֹ, מְעָרְבִין עֵרוּב אֶחָד; וְאִם רָצוּ, מְעָרְבִין שְׁנֵי עֵרוּבִין, אֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן וְאֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן.
If the two balconies are on the same side of the public domain, but are not at the same height—instead, one is higher than the other the following rules apply: If they are within three handbreadths of each other, they are considered to be a single balcony45 and the inhabitants may establish only a single eruv. If they are more than three handbreadths apart, they must establish two eruvin,46 each one for his own balcony. הָיוּ זוֹ בְּצַד זוֹ, וְאֵינָן בְּשָׁוֶה אֶלָא אַחַת לְמַעְלָה מֵחֲבֶרְתָּהּ: אִם יֵשׁ בֵּינֵיהֶן פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁלוֹשָׁה טְפָחִים - הֲרֵי הֵן כִּכְצוּצְטְרָה אַחַת וּמְעָרְבִין אַחַת; וְאִם יֵשׁ בֵּינֵיהֶם שְׁלוֹשָׁה אוֹ יָתֵר - מְעָרְבִין שְׁנַיִם, אֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן וְאֵלּוּ לְעַצְמָן.
15The following rule applies when, between two courtyards, there is a wall four handbreadths wide,47 which is ten handbreadths high from one courtyard, and at ground level48 at the second courtyard: The width of the wall is granted to the inhabitants of the courtyard at which it is at ground level, and it is considered to be an extension of their courtyard. The rationale is that since it is easily accessible to the inhabitants of this courtyard, and more difficult to use for the inhabitants of the other, it is granted to those for whom it is easily accessible.טוכּוֹתֶל שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת שֶׁהוּא רָחָב, וְהָיָה גָּבוֹהַּ מֵעֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים מֵחָצֵר זוֹ וְשָׁוֶה לְקַרְקַע חָצֵר שְׁנִיָּה - נוֹתְנִין רָחְבּוֹ לִבְנֵי הֶחָצֵר שֶׁהוּא שָׁוֶה לָהֶן, וְיֵחָשֵׁב מֵחֲצֵרָן; הוֹאִיל וְתַשְׁמִישׁוֹ בְּנַחַת לְאֵלּוּ וְתַשְׁמִישׁוֹ בְּקָשֶׁה לְאֵלּוּ, נוֹתְנִין אוֹתוֹ לְאֵלּוּ שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹ לָהֶן בְּנַחַת.
Similarly, if there is a trench between the two courtyards that is ten handbreadths deep for the courtyard on one side and at ground level for the courtyard on the other side, the width of the trench is granted to the inhabitants of the courtyard at which it is at ground level. The rationale is that since it is easily accessible to the inhabitants of this courtyard, and more difficult to use for the inhabitants of the other, it is granted to those for whom it is easily accessible. וְכֵן חָרִיץ שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת עָמוֹק עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים מִצַּד חָצֵר זוֹ וְשָׁוֶה לְקַרְקַע חָצֵר שְׁנִיָּה - נוֹתְנִין רָחְבּוֹ לֶחָצֵר שֶׁהוּא שָׁוֶה לוֹ; מִפְּנֵי שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹ נַחַת לְזֶה וְקָשֶׁה לְזֶה, נוֹתְנִין אוֹתוֹ לְאֵלּוּ שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹ לָהֶן בְּנַחַת.
16The following rules apply when there is a wall between two courtyards that is lower than the upper courtyard, but higher than the lower courtyard:49 During the week, the inhabitants of the upper courtyard may make use of the breadth of the wall by lowering articles to it, and the inhabitants of the lower courtyard may make use of it by throwing articles onto it. On the Sabbath, the inhabitants of both courtyards are forbidden to use the wall unless they establish a single eruv. If they do not establish an eruv, it is forbidden to bring articles that were left on the breadth of this wall into the homes,50 nor may one bring articles from the homes to the breadth of the wall. טזהָיָה הַכּוֹתֶל שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי הַחֲצֵרוֹת נָמוּךְ מֵחָצֵר הָעֶלְיוֹנָה וְגָבוֹהַּ מֵחָצֵר הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה, שֶׁנִּמְצְאוּ בְּנֵי הָעֶלְיוֹנָה מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בְּעָבְיוֹ עַל יְדֵי שִׁלְשׁוּל וּבְנֵי הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בְּעָבְיוֹ עַל יְדֵי זְרִיקָה - שְׁנֵיהֶן אֲסוּרִין בּוֹ, עַד שֶׁיְּעָרְבוּ שְׁתֵּיהֶן עֵרוּב אֶחָד; אֲבָל אִם לֹא עֵרְבוּ - אֵין מַכְנִיסִין מֵעֹבִי כּוֹתֶל זֶה לַבָּתִּים וְאֵין מוֹצִיאִין מֵהַבָּתִּים לְעָבְיוֹ.
17The following rules apply when there is a ruin that is a private domain between two houses: If the inhabitants of both houses can use the ruin by throwing objects into it,51 each one causes the other to be forbidden to use it unless they establish an eruv. If it is easy for the inhabitants of one of the houses to use the ruin, while the inhabitants of the other may not throw articles into it easily, because it is deeper than their domain, it is granted to those who can use it more easily.52 They may use it by throwing articles into it. יזשְׁנֵי בָּתִּים שֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶן חֻרְבָה שֶׁהִיא רְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד: אִם יְכוֹלִין שְׁנֵיהֶם לְהִשְׁתַּמֵשׁ בַּחֻרְבָה עַל יְדֵי זְרִיקָה - אוֹסְרִין זֶה עַל זֶה; וְאִם הָיָה תַּשְׁמִישָׁהּ לְזֶה בְּנַחַת וְהָאַחֵר אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לִזְרֹק לָהּ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא עֲמוּקָה מִמֶּנָּה - הֲרֵי זֶה שֶׁהִיא לוֹ בְּנַחַת מִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהּ עַל יְדֵי זְרִיקָה.
18All the following are considered to be parts of a single private domain:53 all the roofs of the city—despite the fact that some are high and some are low—all the courtyards, all the enclosures that were enclosed for purposes other than dwelling and are each less in area than that required to sow two se’ah,54 the breadths of all the walls, and all the lanes in which one may carry because either a post or a beam has been erected. One may carry articles left in one of these areas at the commencement of the Sabbath to another without an eruv. One may not, however, transfer articles left in the homes to these areas unless an eruv is made. יחכָּל גַּגּוֹת הָעִיר, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁזֶּה גָּבוֹהַּ וְזֶה נָמוּךְ, עִם כָּל הַחֲצֵרוֹת, עִם כָּל הַקַּרְפֵּפוֹת שֶׁהֻקְּפוּ שֶׁלֹּא לְשֵׁם דִּירָה שֶׁאֵין בְּכָל אֶחָד מֵהֶן יָתֵר עַל בֵּית סָאתַיִם, עִם עֹבִי הַכּוֹתָלִים שֶׁבֵּין הַחֲצֵרוֹת, עִם הַמְּבוֹאוֹת שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶן לֶחִי אוֹ קוֹרָה - כֻּלָּן רְשׁוּת אַחַת הֵן; וּמְטַלְטְלִין בְּכֻלָּן בְּלֹא עֵרוּב כֵּלִים שֶׁשָּׁבְתוּ בְּתוֹכָן, אֲבָל לֹא כֵּלִים שֶׁשָּׁבְתוּ בְּתוֹךְ הַבַּיִת, אֶלָא אִם כֵּן עֵרְבוּ.
19What is implied? When an article was left in a courtyard at the commencement of the Sabbath, whether the inhabitants of the courtyards established an eruv for themselves or whether they failed to do so, it is permitted to take the article from the courtyard to the roof or to the top of the wall. Afterwards, it may be taken from the roof to another roof adjacent to it, even if the second roof is higher or lower than it.יטכֵּיצַד? כְּלִי שֶׁשָּׁבַת בְּתוֹךְ הֶחָצֵר - בֵּין עֵרְבוּ אַנְשֵׁי הֶחָצֵר בֵּין לֹא עֵרְבוּ - מֻתָּר לְהַעֲלוֹתוֹ מִן הֶחָצֵר לַגָּג אוֹ לְרֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל, וּמִן הַגָּג לְגַג אַחֵר הַסָּמוּךְ לוֹ אֲפִילּוּ הָיָה גָּבוֹהַּ מִמֶּנּוּ כָּל שֶׁהוּא אוֹ נָמוּךְ.
From the second roof, it may be taken to another courtyard, and from the other courtyard to a third roof in a third courtyard. From this courtyard, it may be taken to a lane, and from the lane to a fourth roof. Indeed, one may carry throughout the entire city through the courtyards and roofs, through the enclosed areas and roofs, or through the courtyards and the enclosed areas, or through any combination of these three types of areas, provided one does not bring this article into any of the houses in the city.55 The latter is forbidden unless all the inhabitants of these different areas join together in a single eruv. וּמִן הַגָּג הָאַחֵר לְחָצֵר שְׁנִיָּה, וּמֵחָצֵר שְׁנִיָּה לְגַג שְׁלִישִׁי שֶׁל חָצֵר שְׁלִישִׁית, וּמִגַּג שְׁלִישִׁי לְמָבוֹי, וּמִן הַמָּבוֹי לְגַג רְבִיעִי, עַד שֶׁיַּעַבִירֶנּוּ כָּל הַמְּדִינָה כֻּלָּהּ דֶּרֶךְ גַּגּוֹת וַחֲצֵרוֹת, אוֹ דֶּרֶךְ גַּגּוֹת וְקַרְפֵּפוֹת, אוֹ דֶּרֶךְ חֲצֵרוֹת וְקַרְפֵּפוֹת, אוֹ דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלָשְׁתָּן מִזֶּה לְזֶה וּמִזֶּה לְזֶה - וּבִלְבָד שֶׁלֹּא יִכָּנֵס בִּכְלִי זֶה לְבַיִת מִן הַבָּתִּים, אֶלָא אִם עֵרְבוּ כָּל אַנְשֵׁי הַמְּקוֹמוֹת הָאֵלּוּ עֵרוּב אֶחָד.
20Conversely, if an article was located in a house at the beginning of the Sabbath, and it was later taken out to a courtyard,56 it may not be taken to another courtyard, to another roof, to the top of a wall, or to an enclosed area unless the inhabitants of all the areas through which the article passes join together in a single eruv. כוְכֵן אִם שָׁבַת הַכְּלִי בַּבַּיִת וְהוֹצִיאוֹ לֶחָצֵר - לֹא יַעֲבִירֶנּוּ לְחָצֵר אַחֶרֶת אוֹ לְגַג אַחֵר אוֹ לְרֹאשׁ הַכּוֹתֶל אוֹ לַקַּרְפֵּף, אֶלָא אִם כֵּן עֵרְבוּ כָּל אַנְשֵׁי הַמְּקוֹמוֹת שֶׁמַּעְבִירִין בָּהֶן כְּלִי זֶה עֵרוּב אֶחָד.
21When a cistern is located between two courtyards,57 it is forbidden to draw water from it on the Sabbath unless a partition ten handbreadths high has been erected58 so that everyone would be drawing water from his own property. כאבּוֹר שֶׁבֵּין שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת - אֵין מְמַלְּאִין מִמֶּנּוּ בַּשַּׁבָּת, אֶלָא אִם כֵּן עָשׂוּ לוֹ מְחִצָּה גְּבוֹהָה עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד דּוֹלֶה מֵרְשׁוּתוֹ.
Where should the partition be erected? If the partition is above the water, it is necessary that at least one handbreadth of the partition descend into the water.59 If the partition was constructed within the water, it must project a handbreadth outside the water, so that one domain will be distinct from the other. וְהֵיכָן מַעֲמִידִין אֶת הַמְּחִצָּה? אִם הָיְתָה לְמַעְלָה מִן הַמַּיִם, צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה טֶפַח מִן הַמְּחִצָּה יוֹרֵד בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּיִם, וְאִם הָיְתָה הַמְּחִצָּה כֻּלָּהּ בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּיִם, צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה טֶפַח מִמֶּנָּה יוֹצֵא לְמַעְלָה מִן הַמַּיִם - כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּהְיֶה נִכֶּרֶת רְשׁוּת זֶה מֵרְשׁוּת זֶה.
22Similarly, if a beam four handbreadths wide60 has been placed over the mouth of the cistern, one may fill his bucket from his side of the beam, and the other may fill his bucket from the other side of the beam.כבוְכֵן אִם עָשׂוּ עַל פִּי הַבּוֹר קוֹרָה רְחָבָה אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים, זֶה מְמַלֵּא מִצַּד הַקּוֹרָה וְזֶה מְמַלֵּא מִצִּדָּהּ הַשֵּׁנִי, וּכְאִלּוּ הִבְדִּילָה חֵלֶק זֶה מֵחֵלֶּק זֶה.
Although the water is not divided below the beam, it is considered as if one portion of the cistern were separated from the other. This is a leniency enacted by the Sages with regard to water. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַמַּיִם מְעֹרָבִין מִלְּמַטָּה; קַל הוּא שֶׁהֵקִילוּ חֲכָמִים בַּמַּיִם.
23When a well lies in the midst of a path61 between the walls of two courtyards, the inhabitants of both courtyards may draw water from it; there is no necessity for them to extend projections to the well.62 This ruling applies even though the well is more than four handbreadths from each of the walls. The rationale is that the presence of a colleague’s domain does not cause a person to be forbidden to carry when he is lifting an entity through the air.63 כגבְּאֵר שֶׁבְּאֶמְצַע הַשְּׁבִיל בֵּין שְׁנֵי כּוֹתְלֵי חֲצֵרוֹת, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהִיא מֻפְלֶגֶת מִכּוֹתֶל זֶה אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים וּמִכּוֹתֶל זֶה אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים - שְׁנֵיהֶם מְמַלְּאִין מִמֶּנָּה, וְאֵין צְרִיכִין לְהוֹצִיא זִיזִין עַל גַּבָּהּ; שֶׁאֵין אָדָם אוֹסֵר עַל חֲבֵרוֹ דֶּרֶךְ אַוִּיר.
24The following rules apply when the wall of a small courtyard is broken down, opening the courtyard entirely to a large courtyard before the commencement of the Sabbath:64 The inhabitants of the large courtyard may establish an eruv for themselves and they are permitted to carry, for portions of their wall still remain standing on each side.65כדחָצֵר קְטַנָּה שֶׁנִּפְרְצָה בִּמְלוֹאָהּ לְחָצֵר גְּדוֹלָה מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם - אַנְשֵׁי גְּדוֹלָה מְעָרְבִין לְעַצְמָן וּמֻתָּרִים, שֶׁהֲרֵי נִשְׁאָר לָהֶן פַּסִּין מִכָּאן וּמִכָּאן.
The inhabitants of the small courtyard, by contrast, are forbidden to remove articles from their homes to the courtyard until they establish a single eruv together with the inhabitants of the larger courtyard. The governing principle is that the dwellings of the larger courtyard are considered to be part of the smaller courtyard, while the dwellings of the smaller courtyard are not considered to be part of the larger courtyard.66 וְאַנְשֵׁי קְטַנָּה אֲסוּרִין לְהוֹצִיא מִבָּתֵּיהֶן לְחָצֵר שֶׁלָהֶן, עַד שֶׁיְּעָרְבוּ עִם בְּנֵי הַגְּדוֹלָה עֵרוּב אֶחָד; שֶׁדִּיּוּרִין שֶׁל גְדוֹלָה חֲשׁוּבִין בִּקְטַנָּה, וְאֵין דְּיוֹרֵי קְטַנָּה חֲשׁוּבִין בִּגְדוֹלָה.
25When two courtyards have established a single eruv together through a shared opening or window and that opening or window was closed on the Sabbath,67 the inhabitants of each of the courtyards may carry within their own courtyard.68 Since carrying was permitted for a portion of the Sabbath, it is permitted for the entire Sabbath. כהשְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת שֶׁעֵרְבוּ עֵרוּב אֶחָד דֶּרֶךְ הַפֶּתַח שֶׁבֵּינֵיהֵן אוֹ דֶּרֶךְ הַחַלּוֹן, וְנִסְתַּם הַפֶּתַח אוֹ הַחַלּוֹן בַּשַּׁבָּת - כָּל אַחַת וְאַחַת מֻתֶּרֶת לְעַצְמָהּ; הוֹאִיל וְהֻתְּרָה מִקְצַת שַׁבָּת הֻתְּרָה כֻּלָּהּ.
Similarly, if the inhabitants of two courtyards have each established a separate eruv and the wall between them fell on the Sabbath, the inhabitants of each courtyard are still permitted to carry within their original area.69 They may each take articles from their homes and carry them to the point where they could originally. The rationale is that since carrying was permitted for a portion of the Sabbath, it is permitted for the entire Sabbath.70וְכֵן שְׁתֵּי חֲצֵרוֹת שֶׁעֵרְבָה זוֹ לְעַצְמָהּ וְזוֹ לְעַצְמָהּ, וְנָפַל כּוֹתֶל שֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶן בַּשַּׁבָּת - אֵלּוּ מֻתָּרִים לְעַצְמָן וּמוֹצִיאִין מִבָּתֵּיהֵן וּמְטַלְטְלִין עַד עִיקַר הַמְּחִצָּה, וְאֵלּוּ מְטַלְטְלִין כֵּן עַד עִיקַר הַמְּחִצָּה; הוֹאִיל וְהֻתְּרָה מִקְצַת שַׁבָּת הֻתְּרָה כֻּלָּהּ.
Although the number of people within the courtyard was increased, an increase of people on the Sabbath itself does not cause carrying to be forbidden.וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּתּוֹסְפוּ הַדָּיּוֹרִין - שֶׁהַדָּיּוֹרִין הַבָּאִין בַּשַּׁבָּת אֵינָן אוֹסְרִין.
In the instance mentioned in the first clause, if after the opening or window was closed on the Sabbath,71 the window was opened inadvertently, or an entrance was made, or gentiles made an opening on their own volition, it is again permitted to carry from one to the other.נִפְתַּח הַחַלּוֹן וְנַעֲשָׂה הַפֶּתַח בִּשְׁגָגָה אוֹ שֶׁעָשׂוּ נָכְרִים לְדַעְתָּן - חָזְרוּ לְהֶתֵּרָן.
Similarly, if two ships were tied to each other and an eruv was established between them, it becomes forbidden to carry from one to the other if the connection between them is severed.72 This ruling applies even if they are surrounded by a partition. If the connection was reestablished inadvertently, it is again permitted to carry from one to the other.וְכֵן שְׁתֵּי סְפִינוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ קְשׁוּרוֹת זוֹ בְּזוֹ וְעֵרְבוּ, וְנִפְסְקוּ - אָסוּר לְטַלְטֵל מִזּוֹ לְזוֹ, וַאֲפִלּוּ הָיוּ מֻקָּפוֹת מְחִצָּה. חָזְרוּ וְנִקְשְׁרוּ בְּשׁוֹגֵג, חָזְרוּ לְהֶתֵּרָן.