Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 249

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 249 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1Laws that Apply on Friday, 4 Seifim: On Friday, from the beginning of the day [onward], it is forbidden for a person [who is traveling] to walk more than three parsaos. [Note: A parsa is a Persian mile, equal to four mil, approximately four kilometers (about 2 ½ miles) in contemporary measure.] In this way, he will reach the destination where he plans to spend the Shabbos while it is still early in the day so that he will [have ample time to] prepare his Shabbos meal needs there, whether he goes to other people's houses or to his house. The above applies concerning a place where a person can prepare his Shabbos needs. If, however, he is located in a place where it is impossible for him to prepare his Shabbos needs, or he is not in a place that will certainly be his (Shabbos) place, it is preferable that he travel even many parsaos [farther]. If he sent to inform them they he is going there for Shabbat, it is permitted for him to several parsaos further in all cases.
2. 2On Friday, it is forbidden to partake of a celebratory feast that one would not ordinarily partake of on a weekday. [This is so] Even if it is an Erusin meal, because of the honor of Shabbat, so that one will enter Shabbos desiring to eat and partake of the Shabbos meal with an appetite. All day is forbidden. Rema: A Friday meal where one says zimun, such as a bris milah or pidyon ben it is permitted as seen above, and this is the simple custom. To eat and drink without partaking of the meal, even a meal that one ordinarily partakes of on the weekday, all day is permitted to begin according to the law. Nevertheless, it is a mitzvah to refrain from eating a meal from the ninth hour onward.
3. 3It is the way of people to fast on every Erev Shabbat.
4. 4If one accepts upon himself to fast in Erev Shabbat, one must fast until the stars come out unless he clarifies at the time of acceptance of the fast 'until the congregation finishes its prayer'. Rema: There are those who say that one does not complete the fast except for when they leave the shul to eat (Tur; Mordechai; Hagahos Maimoni). Therefore, for an individual fast one does not complete. And it is good to clarify this at the time of acceptance of the fast. During a public fast, one completes the fast. And this is our custom. (Mahar"il). If the fast was undertaken because of a disturbing dream, one should complete the fast until the appearance of the stars.

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