979. An Agent Who Did Not Complete His Task

Eiruvin 7:7

A person must have specific intentions when designating a Shabbos base, such as at the base of the tree, its south side or its north side. If there are fewer than eight cubits (about 12’) under the tree and he intends to spend Shabbos there, he acquires the space as his Shabbos place. This is because there isn’t enough room under the tree for two Shabbos bases of four cubits each so, invariably, at least part of his Shabbos base is clearly defined. If two people are on a journey and one of them is familiar with a landmark that he wants to designate as his Shabbos base while the other is unfamiliar with the area, then the one who is unfamiliar should give the other the right to establish his Shabbos base for him. The one who is familiar with the area should have the intention that both he and his companion will spend Shabbos in the place that he knows.

Eiruvin 7:8

Let’s say that the residents of a city sent someone to place their eiruv in a certain location and he set out to accomplish his task but someone else sent him back with the result that he did not end up placing the eiruv in its spot. Since the eiruv was never placed in the designated location, it is not established as their Shabbos base and they are only allowed to walk 2,000 cubits beyond the city in each direction. The one who went to place the eiruv, however, did establish that location as his Shabbos base because he set out for that place intending to establish it as such. Therefore, on Shabbos, he may proceed to that spot and continue 2,000 in each direction from there.