732. Partitions of Reeds or Ropes

Shabbos 16:18

If someone made an enclosure out of reeds, so long as there is less than three handbreadths (about 9”) between each reed and the one next to it, the partition is valid. Similarly, if one made a partition out of ropes, it is valid so long as there is less than three handbreadths between one rope and the next. This is true even if the components of the partition are all vertical (as reeds tend to be) or all horizontal (as ropes tend to be). In order to serve as a partition, reeds must be at least ten handbreadths tall (about 30”); when using ropes, there must be ten handbreadths from the ground to the top of the highest rope. This is because a partition cannot be less than ten handbreadths tall. All of these measures were communicated orally to Moses at Sinai.

Shabbos 16:19

An entry frame (mentioned in 16:16) means a structure that has at bare minimum one reed on either side and a reed across the top. The height of the vertical posts must be at least ten handbreadths but the horizontal beam placed above the verticals need not make contact with them. Even if the horizontal is several cubits above the verticals, the entry frame is valid provided that the vertical posts are ten handbreadths tall. An entry frame must be strong enough to hold a door but it need not be a regular door. For example, it would sufficient for the frame to support a door of made of straw.