956. A Courtyard That Opens to an Alley and to an Enclosure

Eiruvin 5:9

Continuing the case of a courtyard that opens to two alleys and whose residents normally use only one entrance. Let’s say that the residents of the alley that is normally accessed by the residents of the courtyard made a shittuf by themselves. The residents of the courtyard did not participate in this shittuf, nor did they make a shittuf with the residents of the other alley. In fact, the residents of the other alley also made their own shittuf! In such a case, since the residents of the courtyard have not joined any shittuf, they are considered part of the alley they do not normally access. Since both groups have not made a shittuf with them, they are lumped together in that the residents of the courtyard will not impede their ability to carry.

Eiruvin 5:10

Let’s say that a courtyard has one entrance that leads to an alley and another that leads to a valley or to an area that has been enclosed for purposes other than for use as a dwelling and that is larger than needed to plant two seah of seed (about 150 feet by 75 feet). In such a case, since one may not transport things between the courtyard and the enclosed area, the residents rely on the entrance to the alley exclusively. Therefore, they impede the ability of the residents of the alley to carry unless they join together in a shittuf. However, if the enclosed area is the size necessary to plant two seah of seed or smaller, it does not impede the ability of the alley residents to carry. Since carrying is permitted throughout the enclosed area, the residents of the courtyard rely on the entrance that is theirs alone.