Explore Techum Shabbos Laws

Techum Shabbos The Basics Page 1:

See accompanying diagrams

1. Definitions: “Techum” is the established limit a person may walk outside his dwelling place on Shabbos.

2. A person’s dwelling place (“Shvisa”) is his primary location established for Shabbos. He may walk One Mil or 2,000 Amos in any direction from his Shvisa.

3. OR If there are 6 or more habitable houses, each house in proximity of the next, but not more than 125ft, then your Shvisa is expanded to all six homes and the areas in between. This is considered your city. See dotted frame below.

4. Your new Shvisa is given a border by creating a box or rectangle (“frame”) surrounding these (minimum of) 6 houses. The houses on each extreme direction North-South-East & West sides are the boundaries used to create this frame. Note, your frame can extend for miles so long as you have continuous proximity of 125ft or less between houses. In a case where a home has a fence 40” or taller – you may count the 125ft starting at the fence.

5. OR If you have two groups of 6 houses with a space of up to 250ft between them, are afforded a double distance - 125ft from each group of 6 houses, or 250ft together. See Green Solid Frame

(Using this model is how city limits are stretched and stretched). Additional note, if the natural shape of the city is more rectangular, then you make a rectangle, otherwise square off.

6. Once you have created the frame, you then create another frame, 2000+70 Amos (bonus) (3,625ft.) in each direction to create your techum boundary-your limit of walking on Shabbos. SEE ARROWS (Bonuses are only for city's not individual homes)

7. We will be using the measurement of an Amoh based on Rav Moshe Feinstein Zt”l. See the table of opinions and consult your Rav. 2,000 amos =3,500ft, 70 amos= 125ft.

Techum Shabbos The Basics Page 2:

Shvisa - is the act of choosing your home base for Shabbos. From here begins your 2,000 amos counting. Please speak to your Rav or email us for more particulars.

Shvisa Part 2.

Below is the blessing made when establishing your shvisa.

ברוך אתה ד' אלקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מצות עירוב, ואומר: בזה העירוב יהא מותר לי לילך ממקום זה אלפים אמה לכל רוח, וחוזר לביתו.

Baruch Ata Adon-ay E-lokainu, Melech Ha’olam asher kidishanu b’mitzsvosav v’tsizanu al mitzvas eruv.

And say: With this eruv it will be permissible for me (and those that appointed me to establish this place for them too) to walk 2,000 Amos in any direction and return to my house.

Shvisa Part 1.

A SHVISA MUST BE MADE BY EACH PERSON. Family members over 12 (girls) & 13(boys) may appoint you as their messenger, but you cannot make it for them without their knowledge. You must have enough food for two Shabbos meals left at the location for everyone. The easiest method is a jar of peanut butter or similar. Please consult your Rav for when to say a blessing.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY 2000 AMOS ENDS IN SOMEONE ELSES CITY?

In a situation where your 2,000 amos ends in another city, you may not walk past your Techum. This is because their city was not within 250ft of yours & does not enjoin. However, if possible you can make a shvisa before Shabbos in their city, and then you can walk to and fro. Please see example below. If you didn’t understand this, consult with your Rav and don’t attempt to enjoin the city beyond your 2,000 Amos.

Residents living in the GREEN city can walk into BLUE town and beyond, but people living in BLUE can only walk until the BLUELINE in GREEN CITY/2,000 Amos

כלתה מדתו בסוף העיר אם היתה עיר גדולה או שהרחיק עירובו מן העיר עד שאין כל העיר נבלעת במדת אלפים של עירוב תעלה לו העיר מן החשבון ומפסידה ואם היתה כל העיר נבלעת באלפים של עירובו הויא לה כולה כארבע אמות.