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DAAT · LEVEL 1 — INTRODUCTION
Siman רמ״ט · 4 Seifim (Mechaber)
Specific halakhos of Friday (erev Shabbat) — Mechaber pedagogical study
סימן רמ״ט
דינים השייכים לערב שבת
🌱 Introduction Level · Beginners
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First approach to the seifim on the halakhos of erev Shabbat: the 3 parsaos limit, the issur of a large seudah on Friday, the minhag of anshei maaseh to fast on erev Shabbat, and the halakha of the taanis until when. Covers the 4 seifim of the Shulchan Aruch (Mechaber).
Topic: Halakhic conducts specific to Friday for entering Shabbat with dignity
Source: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman רמ״ט · 4 seifim
Compilation: Rav Yossef Haim Samama
DAAT · daattorah.com
📑 Study plan
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch — the 4 seifim
2. General context: why special halakhos for erev Shabbat?
3. Key concept 1: the 3 parsaos — the distance limit
4. Key concept 2: the issur of a large seudah (kavod Shabbat)
5. Key concept 3: taanis erev Shabbat (anshei maaseh)
6. Detail of the 4 seifim
7. The Rama's position on seifim 2 and 4
8. Modern practical cases
9. Practical summary
10. Comprehension questions
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch
Siman רמ״ט of the Shulchan Aruch contains 4 seifim that codify the conducts to adopt on Friday in order to prepare for Shabbat with dignity.
Seif Alef — The 3 parsaos limit
אֵין הוֹלְכִין בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת יוֹתֵר מִג' פַּרְסָאוֹת, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ לְבֵיתוֹ בְּעוֹד הַיּוֹם גָּדוֹל וְיוּכַל לְהָכִין צָרְכֵי סְעוּדָה לְשַׁבָּת. בֵּין שֶׁהוֹלֵךְ לְבֵית אֲחֵרִים בֵּין שֶׁהוֹלֵךְ לְבֵיתוֹ. וְהָנֵי מִילֵי כְּשֶׁהוּא בְּיִישּׁוּב בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁיּוּכַל לְהָכִין צָרְכֵי שַׁבָּת. אֲבָל אִם בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא שָׁם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹ לְהָכִין צָרְכֵי שַׁבָּת, אוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְקוֹם יִישּׁוּב בָּטוּחַ — מוּתָּר לֵילֵךְ אֲפִילּוּ כַּמָּה פַּרְסָאוֹת. וְאִם שָׁלַח לְהוֹדִיעָם שֶׁהוּא הוֹלֵךְ שָׁם לְשַׁבָּת — מוּתָּר לוֹ לֵילֵךְ כַּמָּה פַּרְסָאוֹת בְּכָל גַּוְונָא.
One does not walk more than 3 parsaos on Friday, in order to arrive home while the day is still long, so as to be able to prepare the needs of the Shabbat seudah. Whether one goes to one's own house or to others. This applies when one is in a settled place where one can prepare the needs of Shabbat. But if one is in a place where one cannot prepare (or an unsettled, unsafe place) — it is permitted to walk even several parsaos. And if one sent word ahead to inform them that one is coming for Shabbat — it is permitted in all cases.
One parsa = 4 mil = about 4 km. So 3 parsaos ≈ 12 km. Beyond that, the traveler risks arriving late and not having time to prepare the needs of the seudah. The halakha protects a dignified preparation for Shabbat.
Seif Beis — The issur of a large seudah on Friday
אָסוּר לִקְבֹּעַ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת סְעוּדָה וּמִשְׁתֶּה שֶׁאֵינוֹ רָגִיל בִּימֵי הַחוֹל. וַאֲפִלּוּ הוּא סְעוּדַת אֵרוּסִין — מִפְּנֵי כְּבוֹד הַשַּׁבָּת שֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לְשַׁבָּת כְּשֶׁהוּא תָּאֵב לֶאֱכוֹל. וְכָל הַיּוֹם בִּכְלָל הָאִסּוּר. הגה: וּסְעוּדָה שֶׁזְּמַנָּהּ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, כְּגוֹן בְּרִית מִילָה אוֹ פִּדְיוֹן הַבֵּן — מֻתָּר. וְכֵן הַמִּנְהָג פָּשׁוּט. וְלֶאֱכוֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת בְּלִי קְבִיעוּת סְעוּדָה אֲפִלּוּ סְעוּדָה שֶׁרָגִיל בָּהּ בְּחוֹל — כָּל הַיּוֹם מֻתָּר לְהַתְחִיל מִן הַדִּין. אֲבָל מִצְוָה לְהִמָּנַע מִלִּקְבֹּעַ סְעוּדָה שֶׁנָּהוּג בָּהּ בְּחוֹל מִתֵּשַׁע שָׁעוֹת וּלְמַעְלָה.
It is assur to set on Friday a seudah/mishteh to which one is not accustomed on weekdays — even a seudas eirusin (engagement meal), because of kavod Shabbat, so that one enters Shabbat with an appetite. And the whole day is included in the issur. Hagaha (Rama): But a seudah whose time is erev Shabbat (e.g., bris milah or pidyon haben) — is permitted. And so is the clear minhag. And to eat/drink without a fixed seudah — even one's regular weekday seudah — the whole day is permitted from the strict din. But it is a mitzvah to refrain from a regular weekday seudah from the 9th hour onwards.
Three levels of conduct on Friday:
- All day: assur to set a new, unusual seudah (except bris/pidyon haben)
- From the 9th halakhic hour (≈3 PM): mitzvah to refrain even from a regular seudah
- Eating/drinking lightly without a fixed seudah: permitted all day
Seif Gimel — Minhag of anshei maaseh to fast
דֶּרֶךְ אַנְשֵׁי מַעֲשֶׂה לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּכָל עֶרֶב שַׁבָּת.
The way of anshei maaseh (pious/men of action) is to fast every erev Shabbat.
This minhag is mentioned in several Rishonim. The goal: to enter Shabbat with tefillah (spiritual preparation), to do teshuvah, and to increase the desire for the Shabbat seudah (thus honoring it). This is not an obligation for all — it is the practice of the chassidim of the era. The Chabad practice and some poskim recommend a partial fast rather than a true taanis.
Seif Daled — Until when to fast
אִם קִבֵּל עָלָיו לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת — צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת עַד צֵאת הַכּוֹכָבִים, אִם לֹא שֶׁפֵּרֵשׁ בִּשְׁעַת קַבָּלַת הַתַּעֲנִית עַד שֶׁיַּשְׁלִימוּ הַצִּבּוּר תְּפִלָּתָן. הגה: וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים דְּלֹא יַשְׁלִים אֶלָּא מִיָּד שֶׁיּוֹצְאִים מִבֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת יֹאכַל (טור ומרדכי ס"פ בכל מערבין בשם הר"מ, והגהות מיי' פרק א' מהלכות תענית). וְלָכֵן בְּתַעֲנִית יָחִיד לֹא יַשְׁלִים, וְטוֹב לְפָרֵשׁ כֵּן בִּשְׁעַת קַבָּלַת הַתַּעֲנִית. וּבְתַעֲנִית צִבּוּר יַשְׁלִים, וְהָכִי נָהוּג (מהרי"ל בתשו' סי' ל"ג). וְאִם הוּא תַּעֲנִית חֲלוֹם — צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת עַד צֵאת הַכּוֹכָבִים.
If one accepted a taanis on erev Shabbat — one must fast until tzeis hakochavim (emergence of the stars), unless one specified at the time of accepting that one would only fast until the tzibbur finishes their tefillah. Hagaha (Rama): Some say one should not complete the fast, but rather eat as soon as leaving the beis haknesses. Therefore, in a private taanis (yachid) one does not complete; and it is good to specify this at the time of accepting. In a taanis tzibbur (public) one does complete — such is the practice. For a taanis chalom (fast after a bad dream) — one must fast until tzeis hakochavim.
3 distinct cases for the end of the fast:
2. General context
What does this siman discuss?
Siman רמ״ט deals with halakhic conducts specific to Friday (erev Shabbat): travel limits, conduct at meals, recommended fasts. It is a halakhic pause before the simanim that describe the very entry of Shabbat.
The structuring question: how does one prepare with dignity for Shabbat? Which conducts must be adopted (material hakhanah), avoided (excessive feasts), or recommended (the fast of the pious)?
Link with neighboring simanim
| Siman | Topic | Link |
|---|---|---|
| רמ״ב | Kavod and Oneg Shabbat | General conceptual framework of kavod Shabbat |
| רמ״ח | Travel by ship/caravan | Travel limits before Shabbat |
| רמ״ט | Specific halakhos of Friday | — |
| ר״נ | Hakhanah of Shabbat needs on Friday | Continuation: what to prepare concretely |
3. Key concept 1 — the 3 parsaos
1 parsa = 4 mil = about 4 km (per traditional calculations).
3 parsaos ≈ 12 km. This is the maximum walking limit on Friday outside of emergency or prior notice.
3 parsaos ≈ 12 km. This is the maximum walking limit on Friday outside of emergency or prior notice.
Why this limit?
The goal is to arrive home early enough so that the day is still long (בעוד היום גדול) — i.e., ideally before the 6th hour (midday). This enables one to:
- Buy the needs of the seudah (fish, meat, wine)
- Cook
- Light the fire / set up the hot-plate (blech)
- Wash and dress in honor of Shabbat
- Arrive at shul with calm
The 3 exceptions of the Mechaber
| Exception | Conduct |
|---|---|
| Place where one cannot prepare | One may walk several parsaos |
| Unsettled, unsafe place | One may walk several parsaos (safety takes priority) |
| Sent word ahead that one is coming | One may walk several parsaos in all cases |
4. Key concept 2 — the issur of a large seudah (kavod Shabbat)
The principle: do not fix (likboa) an unusual seudah/mishteh on Friday, in order to enter Shabbat with an appetite. The big seudah of Friday night must have a contrast with the day, to express kavod Shabbat.
Three levels of strictness
| Time | Regular seudah | Unusual seudah | Bris/Pidyon Haben |
|---|---|---|---|
| All day | Permitted | ❌ Assur | ✓ Permitted (Rama) |
| From the 9th halakhic hour (≈3 PM) | Mitzvah to refrain | ❌ Assur | ✓ Permitted |
Practice today:
- Normal light meal during the day until 2–3 PM ✓
- No large buffet on Friday at noon that would spoil the appetite ✗
- Bris, pidyon haben, seudas mitzvah → permitted (even as a feast)
- From ~3 PM in winter (the 9th hour), refrain from a real seudah
5. Key concept 3 — taanis erev Shabbat (anshei maaseh)
אנשי מעשה (anshei maaseh) = "men of action / pious" — in the classical sense: those who engage in deep spiritual avodah. The minhag mentioned by the Mechaber is to fast every erev Shabbat in order to enter Shabbat with prepared teshuvah.
Position of the poskim
| Position | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Mechaber | Mentions the minhag of anshei maaseh — not an obligation |
| Sephardic Acharonim | Historical minhag, little followed today |
| Ashkenazic Acharonim | Same — practiced by Chassidim and certain individual pious people |
| Chassidus (Chabad in particular) | Prefers tefillah b'minyan and study of Tanya rather than a fast. The taanis is not a recommended Chabad practice |
6. Detail of the 4 seifim
Seif Alef — Distance and preparation
Practical test: can I get home before midday to prepare for Shabbat? If yes → the 3 parsaos limit does not concern me. If no → I must either send word ahead or change plans.
Seif Beis — Daytime seudah
Rule: eating normally is OK. A new feast = assur. 9th hour and after = mitzvah to refrain even from a regular seudah. Except bris or pidyon haben.
Seif Gimel — Minhag of the taanis
Minhag of the pious mentioned. Not an obligation. Today, little followed. Chabad prefers spiritual hakhanah (Tanya, Mishneh Torah) rather than a fast.
Seif Daled — End of the fast
Three cases:
- Taanis yachid: Rama → eat as soon as leaving shul; Mechaber → tzeis hakochavim
- Taanis tzibbur (public): tzeis hakochavim
- Taanis chalom: tzeis hakochavim
7. Position of the Rama
| Topic | Mechaber | Rama |
|---|---|---|
| Bris/pidyon haben on Friday | Implicit | Permitted (וכן המנהג פשוט) |
| Regular seudah at the 9th hour | Mitzvah to refrain | Same |
| End of taanis yachid | Until tzeis hakochavim | Eat as soon as leaving shul |
| End of taanis tzibbur | Until tzeis hakochavim | Same (such is the practice) |
8. Modern practical cases
Case 1 — Train travel on Friday
Case: I am returning home by train on Friday for Shabbat. The trip takes 4 hours; I arrive at 2 PM.
Analysis: The 3 parsaos apply to walking. The train is not restricted — the spirit is that one arrives with enough time. If I arrive at 2 PM and Shabbat is at 6 PM, I have 4 hours to prepare → OK.
Conduct: permitted. But for a trip that would extend into Shabbat, see siman רמ״ח.
Analysis: The 3 parsaos apply to walking. The train is not restricted — the spirit is that one arrives with enough time. If I arrive at 2 PM and Shabbat is at 6 PM, I have 4 hours to prepare → OK.
Conduct: permitted. But for a trip that would extend into Shabbat, see siman רמ״ח.
Case 2 — Business brunch on Friday at noon
Case: I am invited to a business brunch on Friday at 12 PM.
Analysis:
Analysis:
- If it is a new festive seudah that one does not have during the week → ❌ assur per seif beis
- If it is a regular seudah (regular business lunch) → permitted before the 9th halakhic hour, mitzvah to refrain after
- If it is a light cocktail without kevius seudah → permitted
Case 3 — Bris milah falling on a Friday
Case: Bris milah at 11 AM Friday with the seudas bris afterwards.
Conduct: permitted (Rama) — such is the practice. The seudas bris is explicitly mutar even on a Friday because its time (zemanah) is erev Shabbat.
Conduct: permitted (Rama) — such is the practice. The seudas bris is explicitly mutar even on a Friday because its time (zemanah) is erev Shabbat.
Case 4 — 17 Tammuz fast falling on a Friday
Case: 17 Tammuz falls on a Friday.
Conduct: public taanis → fast until tzeis hakochavim. The Shabbat seudah begins after. Such is the general practice (Rama).
Conduct: public taanis → fast until tzeis hakochavim. The Shabbat seudah begins after. Such is the general practice (Rama).
Case 5 — A Chabad chassid — minhag of taanis erev Shabbat?
Case: should one fast erev Shabbat per Chabad?
Conduct: No. The Chabad practice prefers:
Conduct: No. The Chabad practice prefers:
- Study of Tanya (chapters 41–44 specifically directed towards Shabbat preparation)
- Study of the day's Shulchan Aruch HaRav
- Mikveh (purifying preparation)
- Dignified material hakhanah
9. Practical summary
The 4 teachings of Siman רמ״ט:
- Limit of 3 parsaos (≈12 km) — arrive home in time to prepare for Shabbat
- Do not make an unusual feast on Friday — enter Shabbat with an appetite (תאב לאכול)
- Minhag of the pious to fast erev Shabbat — not an obligation, rarely followed
- If one accepts a taanis — rules vary by yachid/tzibbur/chalom
Practical decision table
| Situation | Conduct |
|---|---|
| Trip of more than 12 km on Friday | Send word ahead or change plans |
| Business brunch on Friday at noon | Light only, no new feast |
| Bris/pidyon haben on Friday | Permitted (seudas mitzvah) |
| Light meal until the 9th hour | Permitted |
| Meal after the 9th hour | Mitzvah to refrain |
| 17 Tammuz / 9 Av on a Friday | Fast until tzeis hakochavim |
| Minhag to fast erev Shabbat | Practice of the pious — Chabad prefers spiritual hakhanah |
10. Comprehension questions
Check your understanding:
- What is the distance limit on Friday? Why?
- What are the 3 exceptions to this limit per the Mechaber?
- Why is it assur to fix an unusual seudah on Friday?
- What is the difference between "all day" and "from the 9th hour" in Seif Beis?
- What does the Rama say about seudos of bris/pidyon haben on Friday?
- What is the minhag of the אנשי מעשה (anshei maaseh)? Is it obligatory?
- What are the 3 distinct rules of Seif Daled for the end of the fast?
- For a taanis yachid per Rama, until when does one fast?
- For a taanis chalom, is it different?
- Does Chabad recommend a taanis erev Shabbat? Why?
To delve deeper into this siman:
- 📚 Level 2 — Lamdan: pilpul, Talmudic sources (Pesachim, Taanis), Rishonim shitos on the 3 parsaos and the taanis
- ✨ Level 3 — Synthesis: quick review with mnemonics and decision trees
- 📜 Level 4 — Daat HaRav: shitah of the Alter Rebbe (Shulchan Aruch HaRav siman רמ״ט)
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Talmid chacham · giving shiurim in halakha and chassidus
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DAAT · רב יוסף חיים סממה
Talmid chacham · giving shiurim in halakha and chassidus
Siman רמ״ט · Level 1 — Introduction
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