Now that Shabbos will begin very early, is there a specific time that one must leave their place of work to arrive home? May one travel late in the afternoon?

The Shulchan Aruch [1] writes that one may not walk more than 3 פרסאות on Erev Shabbos to reach his destination.[2] The reason for this halacha is due to the concern that people at the place of his destination will be unaware of his arrival and there may not be enough food available.[3] The Shulchan Aruch adds that if the host is aware of his arrival, and thus they prepare ample food, one can travel further distances. The Mishnah Berurah [4] points out that nowadays people prepare extra food and this will not be an issue.[5] However, he writes [6] that one should avoid traveling close to Shabbos [7] because should there be a delay there may be a desecration of Shabbos. This includes carrying or traveling outside of the techum if he is delayed and arrives as Shabbos begins.

The Bach [8] writes that Chazal referred specifically to not walking long distances, but one may travel by wagon or horseback. The Aruch Hashulchan [9] explains that because these modes of transportation are quicker, it is permissible to travel longer distances on Erev Shabbos. For this reason, he allows train travel on Friday. He adds that one must budget extra time when traveling on Friday, as all sorts of delays are possible. In fact, he writes that somehow the Satan wreaks havoc on Erev Shabbos and one must ensure that they arrive with enough time to properly prepare for Shabbos.[10] Although the classic sources do not specify what time of day one begins his journey, [11] it is recorded that the Chazon Ish would not travel outside of the city after Chatzos on Erev Shabbos.[12]

Even if one does not travel, one must cease working early on Friday. The Shulchan Aruch [13] writes that business should not be done on Friday afternoon.[14] In fact, the gemara [15] records that a horn was blown at three times on Friday afternoon, the middle blast was to remind the shopkeepers that it is time to close their shops. The Shulchan Aruch [16] mentions that this was the custom when we lived in our own communities, but the Rema [17] adds that even today it is customary for a representative of the community to remind people to close their stores.[18] For all the above reasons it is prudent that on a winter Friday one limits their travel and business as a way to ensure that one properly observes and safeguards the Shabbos. After all, the gemara [19] teaches that one should await the arrival of Shabbos and not rush into Shabbos [20].

[1] 249:1 based upon Sukkah 44b.

[2] This translates to somewhere between 7.2 and 11.5 miles. When computing to amount of time it 3.5 and 4.5 hours.

[3] Biur Halacha d.h. v’yuchal cites a debate if this applies to one who is carrying his own food.

[4] 249:3.

[5] Likewise, Kaf Hachaim 8 writes that if food is available for purchase it obviates the problem.

[6] 249:5.

[7] See Teshuvos Ohr L’Tzion (2:16:6,7), who writes that one must plan to arrive at least one hour before Shabbos. He adds, that if one hired a Jewish driver he must make certain that the driver too can arrive to his home with ample time.

[8] 249:2.

[9] 249:3.

[10] The Binyan Tzion (2:58) suggests that Chazal were concerned that one not be physically drained and it is for this reason one should not travel long distances on Friday. He suggests that for this reason the travel limit applies equally to summer and winter irrespective of when Shabbos begins.

[11] See Rambam (Shabbos Shabbos 30:11), and Pri Megadim (Mishbetzos Zahav 249:2).

[12] Ma’aseh Ish (2 pg. 103).

[13] 251:1 based upon Pesachim 50a.

[14] He cites a debate if this refers to Mincha Gedolah or Mincha Ketanah, see Mishna Berurah (3). The Sefer Seder Yayom (Hachanos L’Kvod Shabbos) writes that one should not do Melacha after Chatzos.

[15] Shabbos 35b.

[16] 256:1. While the Mishnah Berurah (251:3) writes that the need to cease from working late on Friday afternoon applies to the store owners and not the employees, nevertheless, he does write that an employee should not agree to a job that will require him to work late on Friday afternoon (Sha’ar Hatziun 251:4).

[17] Ibid.

[18] Mishnah Berurah 1 warns that keeping the business open late on Friday afternoon can lead to all sorts of חילול שבת.

[19] Shabbos 119a, see Rambam (Shabbos 30:2).

[20] See Al Hateshuva, where Rav Soloveitchik laments the disappearance of the Erev Shabbos Jew “Even in those neighborhoods made up predominantly of religious Jews, one can no longer talk of the 'sanctity of Shabbat. True, there are Jews in America who observe Shabbat... But it is not for Shabbat that my heart aches; it is for the forgotten 'erev Shabbat' (eve of the Sabbath). There are Shabbat-observing Jews in America, but there are no 'erev Shabbat' Jews who go out to greet Shabbat with beating hearts and pulsating souls. There are many who observe the precepts with their hands, with their feet, and/or with their mouths - but there are few indeed who truly know the meaning of the service of the heart!"