Chapter 90:3
Non-Melacha Prohibitions
3. It is forbidden to walk, on Shabbos, to the end, or just before the end
of the "techum" (1), and wait there until nightfall, in order to speed up
one's journey beyond that point [after Shabbos]. Since one begins one's
journey immediately after the conclusion of Shabbos, it appears obvious
that it was the main reason for going there (that is, to the border of the
"techum" on Shabbos).
This prohibition applies only when one went there (to the edge of the
"techum") in order to travel further [after Shabbos] to do something which
one is prohibited to do on Shabbos, under all circumstances; for example,
one intended to hire workers, to pick fruit, or to bring produce that was
muktzeh, activities prohibited under all circumstances. One may, however,
go to the edge of the "techum" on Shabbos, and remain there until
nightfall, in order to bring in one's animal from beyond the "techum" after
Shabbos; this is permitted because if there had been a continual chain of
houses up to the point where the animal was situated, separated from each
other by a maximum of seventy "amos" (2), it would have been permitted to
bring the animal back even on Shabbos (3). Similarly, it would be
permitted [to go to the edge of the "techum" on Shabbos, and remain there
until nightfall, in order] to bring in non-muktzeh fruit that was already
picked, since, if there had been partitions surrounding the entire route,
it would have been permitted to bring in the fruit on Shabbos. This
leniency applies to any similar situation (4).
Similarly, it is permitted to walk to one's garden that is within the
"techum," in order to pick produce directly after the conclusion of
Shabbos, since it does not appear obvious that one went with this
intent. Onlookers will think that one went for a stroll or to search for
one's animal that became lost, and afterward, when one reached the garden,
one changed one's mind and decided to stay there until nightfall to pick
produce.
FOOTNOTES:
(1) The area within which one is permitted to walk on Shabbos, that is,
2000 "amos" (see note 2) from one's place of residence; this concept will
be explained in detail in chapter 95.
(2) Opinions among the authorities as to the exact length of an "Amah"
("cubit") range between 48 and 60cm (20 to 24 inches).
(3) The chain of houses extends the area within which one is able to walk
on Shabbos.
(4) That is, any activity that can be performed on Shabbos under specific
circumstances.
