Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend

Chapter 82:10
Carrying from One Domain to Another

10.A woman is allowed to support her child while he walks (1), even in a public domain, as long as she does not drag him. Rather, the child must lift up one leg while supporting himself on the other, which is placed on the ground until the raised leg comes back down, so that he is always supporting himself on one leg. If, however, she drags him with both legs on the ground, it is the equivalent of carrying him, and is forbidden even in a "carmelis" (2).

Carrying a child, even if he is big enough to walk by himself, is forbidden, even in a "carmelis." [Although the Sages ruled that], "a living being carries itself," (3) [the intent was not that carrying a living being, which is capable of walking itself, is actually permissible, but rather that if one did so inadvertantly], one would not have to bring a sin-offering (4) (when the Temple stands in Jerusalem). Carrying such a being is considered a "sh'vus" (Rabbinical prohibition), and in a "carmelis," a "sh'vus of a sh'vus" ("a rabbinical prohibition within the context of another rabbinical prohibition") (5). The public should be informed about this matter because it is a source of error.

FOOTNOTES:

(1) That is, one may support the child by holding his arms from behind, while the child moves his legs and walks (See Shabbos 128b).

(2) According to Rashi, dragging a child is the equivalent of carrying him, however, there are other authorities who rule that dragging is not the equivalent of carrying, and was only prohibited so that people would not come to inadvertently start carrying the child; therefore, according to these more lenient authorities, dragging is only prohibited regarding children who cannot walk themselves, even while being supported from behind, because carrying that sort of child in a public domain, would be a violation of Biblical law (See below note (3) and (5)) (See Mishna Berura 308:154 and Biur Halacha).

(3) The principle "A living being carries itself" ("Chai Noseh es Atzmo") means that carry a living being is not considered a violation of the Biblical prohibition against carrying on Shabbos, because the being, to a certain extent, is holding itself up (hence the difference in weight between carrying a sleeping baby, and one that is awake). Most authorities rule that this principle does not apply to infants who still drag their feet while they walk (that is, they can't support themselves on one leg as described in note (1) above (See the Aruch HaShulchan 308:67).

(4) A sin-offering ("Chatas") is brought for unintentional violations of Biblical Shabbos laws (as well as other specific types of violations outside the framework of the laws of Shabbos).

(5) Even those acts of carrying prohibited by Rabbinic law, such as carrying a living being, are prohibited in a "carmelis," within which carrying on Shabbos is only a Rabbinical prohibition.

Back Paragraph 9 Paragraph 11 Next
Table of Contents

Halacha-Yomi, Copyright (c) 2002 Project Genesis, Inc.

Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON SHLACH:

View Complete List

Sending Notes
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5765

Jewish Sovereignty in the Land of Israel
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5771

The Land's Blessing
Shlomo Katz - 5764

ArtScroll

Individuality and the Torah
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5755

Primary Reminder
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5768

One Can Recognize His Own Greatness Without Being Arrogant
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5772

Looking for a Chavrusah?

Just Don't Rebel...
Rabbi Dovid Green - 5757

Piece of Cake
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky - 5762

A Wave of Destruction
Rabbi Label Lam - 5767

Frumster - Orthodox Jewish Dating

Heavenly Helper
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5757

Where The Heart Leads
Rabbi Label Lam - 5764

The Perfect Student
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5756

> Being Taught From The Get-Go: Eretz Yisrael Has Supernatural Requirements
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5770

The Spies and Yerushalayim
Shlomo Katz - 5771

Once a Spy Always a Spy?
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5761

Hard Choices
Rabbi Naftali Reich - 5767



Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base




Help

About Us

Contact Us



Free Book on Geulah!




Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information