949. A Single Resident in Each Courtyard

Eiruvin 4:22

If only one person lived in the inner courtyard and only one person lived in the outer courtyard, they don’t need to make an eiruv; each may carry in his own courtyard. If a non-Jewish resident lives in the inner courtyard, even though he is just one person, he is considered like many and he impedes the ability of those in the outer courtyard to carry until his property is rented.

Eiruvin 4:23

Let’s say that three courtyards have entrances to one another and there are many residents living in each. When the residents of the two outer courtyards make an eiruv together with those of the inner courtyard, the inner courtyard residents may carry in the outer courtyards and the outer courtyard residents may carry in the inner courtyard, but the residents of each outer courtyard may not carry in the opposite outer courtyard unless all three courtyards make a single eiruv together. If each courtyard has only one resident, they need not make an eiruv, even though many people pass through the outer courtyard, because each resident is able to carry in his own domain. However, if there are two residents in the inner courtyard, then they are not able to carry in their own domain without making an eiruv. Accordingly, they impede the ability of the residents in the middle and outer courtyards to carry unless the residents of the inner domain make an eiruv. This general rule is that if a person who may not carry in his own domain has the right to pass through another’s person domain, he impedes the ability to carry there. However, if one may carry in his own domain, his right to pass through another’s domain does not impede the ability to carry there.