Chapter 18
Specific Laws Relating to the Transfer of Objects from One Place to Another on Shabbath, Where There Is No Eiruv
Specific laws relating to the transfer of objects from one place to another on Yom Tov are dealt with in Chapter 19.
MISCELLANEOUS RULES CONCERNING
THE TRANSFER OF OBJECTS
52.c. If
1) the object is valuable,
2) one is afraid it will be lost if left where it is,
3) one is unable to remain with the object to look after it until Shabbath is over and
4) there is no non-Jew available who could look after it,* the object need not be left where it falls, but one may pick it up and bring it to a secure place, in one of the ways described below.
52.d. When one is permitted to bring the object to a place of safety, one should transfer it through reshuth ha-rabbim in the following manner.
1) Where possible, one should carry the object for a distance of less than four amoth and then hand it to a friend, who will do likewise before handing it back, and so on, until one approaches the house.
2) Otherwise, one may carry the object oneself for a distance of less than four amoth, put it down, pick it up again, walk with it for less than another four amoth and so on.
3) a) If, for some reason, it is not practicable to put the object down each time, one should at least stand still for a few moments after every space of just under four amoth.
b) In this way, one avoids making a continuous transfer of four amoth in reshuth ha-rabbim.
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* a. One may ask a non-Jew to look after the object even if one knows that he will afterwards bring it to one’s house.
b. Moreover, if the non-Jew is not willing, or cannot be trusted, to remain with the object until after Shabbath, one may even ask him to bring it to one’s house.
