14 Eylül 2012 Cuma

Where To Pick Up When Things Are Down

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We have the privilege of having the Hopkins eruv and thus it is usually very convenient to carry on Shabbat. What is the best method of carrying a key in the event that the eruv is down?
The prohibition of carrying on Shabbat is defined by lifting an object from private property (reshut hayachid) and placing it in a public domain (reshut harabim) – or vice versa[1]. There is another halachic domain which is called a mekom ptor[2], literally meaning a place of exemption, and it is permissible to carry to and from it from either a public or private domain[3].
The Talmud[4]teaches that it is not permissible for a single person to carry an object from one private domain to the other via a mekom ptor which is situated in a public domain, the reason[5] for this being that we are concerned that a person may forget to actually use the mekom ptor. This prohibition is in regards to traveling through a public domain which is so defined by biblical law. There is a major difference of opinion whether the prohibition applies in a public domain that is only defined as such by rabbinic law (carmeleet)[6], and it seems that the Shulchan Aruch[7] rules leniently[8].
Moreover, the Talmudic prohibition is in regards to a single individual who is trying to hold the rope at both ends, i.e. both carrying to and from a mekom ptor. But if there are two people involved it would seem that there is no prohibition[9].
Therefore, I believe that the best option for carrying a key on Shabbat at Hopkins is to have two people use the mekom ptor that I have installed right by Hillel (it is a bolt in the sign closest to your left as you leave the Hillel building)[10].


One person should have the key (with a ring) ready in hand, leave the building and without stopping continue walking towards the bolt. While still in motion that person will place the key on the bolt:



In turn, the second person will pick it up, also while moving, and continue walking to the apartment[11]without stopping. Coming to Hillel from the apartment would work the same way.
In order to make things a bit more clear please view the following video:



[1]Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 6a[2]Any average street sign is a mekom ptor from the point of 31.5 inches off the ground. [3]Shulchan Aruch OC 346:1[4]Shabbat 8b[5]Shulchan Aruch ibid. [6]According to many authorities the Hopkins area is defined as a carmeleet. See Shulchan Aruch 345:7 and commentary. [7]Ibid.[8]It is not fully clear what the Rama rules. In OC 355:1 he seems to be lenient whereas in OC 372 it seems that he is stringent – see Mishnah Berura there subparagraph 49. The Aruch Hashulchan (355:10) explains that the Rama is lenient in a case of great need.[9]See Rav Yossef Zvi Rimon in Halacha Mimkorah Tzavah, volume 2 p. 226.[10]Although the Rama (OC 345:18) is stringent in regards to a mekom ptorthat is situated in a carmeleet, the Biur Halacha shows that it is permissible to rely on the lenient opinions when needed. [11]If you need to unlock the door of a building and thus stand in the public domain for that, you will need to use a similar method to transfer the key into the building. Once the door is open, hold the key in your open palm and have someone else walk by, pick it up and continue into the building. See Aruch Hashulchan 347:10.

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