Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 401

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 401 — English translation

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

1. 1A Person who was Sleeping while on a Journey [when the Shabbos Commenced] is Granted 2000 Cubits in All Directions [from the Place where He was Located]: One who sleeps on the way and darkness falls upon him, acquires a residence in his place and may traverse a distance of two thousand cubits in any direction. Specifically with regard to a person, because since if he had been awake, he would have acquired a place to sleep, he also acquires it while sleeping. However, ownerless objects do not acquire a residence, and they are like the legs of the first person to take them, who may take them to wherever he goes. However, objects belonging to non-Jews acquire a residence in their place, even though their owners are not considered residents. This ruling was made as a decree for non-Jewish objects, but Jewish objects are not subject to such a decree. And those who bring them [objects] into a city may move them within the entire city, which is like an area of four cubits, provided that the city is surrounded for dwelling purposes. Small, walled towns are considered to be surrounded for dwelling purposes, even if the houses were built first and the walls were erected around them later. However, simple fortresses are not considered to be surrounded for dwelling purposes. Rema: Therefore, Jews should be careful not to lend their objects to non-Jews and have them returned on Shabbat to be moved more than four cubits, unless the city is surrounded by a wall for dwelling purposes. This is because the objects acquire a residence in the non-Jewish domain.

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