Chapter 17
Principles of the Laws Relating to the Transfer of Objects from One Place to Another
LAWS OF EIRUV CHATZEIROTH AND SHITUFEI MEVO’OTH (TRANSFERS INVOLVING PROPERTY OWNED IN COMMON)
25.a. The nominal partition delineating the area covered by shitufei mevo’oth may (subject to scrupulous compliance with detailed regulations too numerous to set out here) partition consist of a wire running right around this area along the tops of a series of poles.
25.b. Should the wire break, the partition becomes ineffective and the transfer of objects is once more forbidden.
25.c. 1) In such an event, one is allowed to ask a non-Jew to repair the wire, in order to prevent the widespread breach, by the general public, of the prohibition against the transfer of objects.
2) Where the non-Jew can repair the wire in such a way that only Rabbinical prohibitions are transgressed, for example if he is able to tie the ends of the wire together solely by means of a bow over a single knot, that is the preferred course.
3) If this is not possible, then he may tie the ends together with a double knot or twine them together and, where the need arises, the non-Jew may even dig holes in the ground in which to stand the posts supporting the wire.
4) This aspect of the matter is also dealt with in Chapter 30, paragraph 22.
5) It is irrelevant whether the wire was torn on Shabbath itself or whether it was torn before Shabbath but not repaired prior to its commencement.
25.d. 1) In the absence of a non-Jew, a Jew may repair the wire, but only by tying the ends in a bow (over a single knot).
2) He is not permitted to tie a double knot, nor to twine the ends of the wire together, nor, for the purpose of repairing the wire, to perform any act prohibited by the Torah (as opposed to an act which is the subject of a Rabbinical prohibition).
25.e. Whenever it proves impossible to repair the wire on Shabbath,
1) it is better not to make any public announcement to the effect that the transfer of objects is forbidden, but
2) one should inform individuals who one is sure will pay attention and will refrain from a breach of the prohibition.
