Chapter 24
Laws Relating to the Erection of Protective Shelters and of Partitions on Shabbath and Yom Tov
COVERING WITHOUT INTENDING TO PROVIDE SHELTER
18.The prohibition referred to in paragraph 17c above applies only if
a. 1) one erects walls on two or three of the four sides,
and
2) one has in mind to make some use, albeit a secondary use, of the space underneath, or
b. one erects walls on all four sides, whatever one’s intentions as to use are, since a covered space enclosed within four walls is intrinsically usable.
19.a. If one wishes to erect a table which, at both ends, has supports with legs a tefach or more wide, one would do well not to put the supports into position first and then put a plank or boards on top of them (because one uses the space underneath for one’s legs when sitting at the table). (See paragraph 18a above.)
19.b. One should reverse the order, that is one should first bring the top to the position where the table is to be set up and hold it in midair, and then the supports of the table should be brought and placed underneath.
