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DAAT · LEVEL 1 — INTRODUCTION
Siman 353 · 3 Seifim
Laws of zizin (projections/ledges) over reshus harabim — to discover and understand
סימן שנ"ג
דִּיני זִיזִין בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים
🌱 Introduction Level · מתחילים
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A first approach to Siman 353: the full Hebrew text of the Mechaber, a clear English translation, pedagogical explanations of the halachic concepts, modern applications, and a summary.
Topic: Laws of zizin (projections/ledges) over reshus harabim
Source: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 353 (3 seifim)
Compilation: Rav Yossef Haim Samama
DAAT · daattorah.com
📑 Study Plan
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch — the 3 seifim of the Mechaber
2. The general context: why this siman, what is the question?
3. The key halachic concepts of this siman
4. The seifim in detail — one by one
5. The Mishnah Berurah — first entries
6. The position of the Rama — Ashkenazi vs. Sephardi differences
7. Modern practical cases
8. Practical summary and rules to remember
9. Comprehension questions
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch
Siman 353 contains 3 seifim of the Mechaber (Rabbi Yosef Karo) which codify the halachos relating to zizin (projections/ledges) over reshus harabim.
Seif א
דיני זיזין ברשות הרבים. ובו ג סעיפים:
שני בתים בשני צדי רשות הרבים והם של אדם א' או של שנים ועירבו אם שניהם שוים מותר לזרוק מזה לזה ואם א' גבוה מחבירו אסור לזרוק מזה לזה אלא א"כ הם כלי חרס וכיוצא בהם שאם יפלו ישברו במה דברים אמורים ברשות הרבים עוברת ביניהם אבל אם היתה כרמלית עוברת ביניהם מותר בכל גוונא:
Translation: Two houses on either side of a reshus harabim, belonging to one person, or to two who made an eruv: if both roofs are of equal height, it is permitted to throw an object from one to the other. If one is higher than the other, it is forbidden to throw from one to the other — unless they are vessels of earthenware and the like, which would shatter if they fell. This applies when a reshus harabim passes between them; but if a karmelis passes between them, it is permitted in all cases.
Seif ב
זיז דהיינו דף הבולט מן הכותל לר"ה למעלה מעשרה ויש בו ד' על ד' וחלון הבית פתוח לו משתמשין עליו אם היו שני זיזים זה למטה מזה והם של שני אנשים אע"פ ששניהם למעלה מעשרה אם יש בזיז העליון שלפני החלון רוחב ד' על ד' אסור להשתמש עליו מפני שהוא רשות בפני עצמו והזיז שתחתיו רשות אחרת ואוסרין זה על זה ואם אין בעליון ד' וגם אין בתחתון ד' משתמש בשניהם ובכל הכותל עד עשרה טפחים התחתונים היה בתחתון ארבע' ובעליון אין בו ארבע' אינו משתמש בעליון אלא כנגד חלונו בלבד אבל בשאר הזיז שבשני צדי החלון אסור להשתמש מפני זה שתחתיו שחלק רשות לעצמו:
Translation: A ziz — a board projecting from the wall toward reshus harabim, above 10 tefachim, having 4×4, and to which a window of the house opens — one may use it. If there were two zizin one beneath the other, belonging to two people: even if both are above 10 — if the upper ziz (in front of the window) has 4×4 in width, it is forbidden to use it, for it is a reshus unto itself and the ziz beneath it is another reshus — they prohibit one another. If neither the upper nor the lower has 4 — one uses both, and the whole wall up to the lowest 10 tefachim. If the lower had 4 and the upper did not have 4 — one uses the upper only opposite his window; but the rest of the ziz, on both sides of the window, is forbidden, because of the one beneath it that carved out a reshus for itself.
Seif ג
כל זיז היוצא על אויר רה"ר שמותר להשתמש עליו כשהוא משתמש בו אין נותנין עליו ואין נוטלים ממנו אלא כלי חרס וזכוכית וכיוצא בהם שאם יפלו לרשות הרבים ישברו אבל שאר כלים אסורים שמא יפלו לרשות הרבים ויביאם: הגה ודוקא זיז וכיוצא בו אבל אם הוא דבר רחב כגג שהמשתמש עומד שם עם הכלי מותר להשתמש בכל הכלים (ב"י בשם הריטב"א) ואם היה זיז אחד לבדו יוצא על אויר כרמלית כל שהוא גבוה י' לעולם מותר בין רחב בין קצר ואפילו כלים שאין משתברין שלא גזרו בכרמלית:
Translation: Any ziz projecting into the airspace of reshus harabim that one is permitted to use: when one uses it, one places upon it and removes from it only vessels of earthenware, glass and the like — which would shatter if they fell into reshus harabim; but other vessels are forbidden, lest they fall into reshus harabim and one bring them in. Gloss of the Rama: and this only for a ziz and the like; but if it is something wide like a roof, where the user stands there with the vessel, it is permitted to use all vessels. And if there was a single ziz projecting into the airspace of a karmelis, as long as it is 10 high — it is always permitted, whether wide or narrow, and even vessels that do not shatter — for the Chachamim did not decree in a karmelis.
The full text: these 3 seifim constitute the entire codification of the Mechaber on this topic. Each one clarifies a case, a condition, or an exception.
2. The general context
What is this siman about?
Siman 353 deals with zizin — boards, cornices, or balconies that project from a wall into the airspace of reshus harabim. A ziz above 10 tefachim is, in itself, a place out of reach of reshus harabim; but its use raises two questions: to whom does this ziz belong, and what risk arises if an object falls from it?
The fundamental question: a ziz above 10 is not reshus harabim. But when several zizin overlap, each may become "a reshus unto itself" that prohibits the other; and even a ziz whose use is permitted accepts only breakable objects, lest an object that falls intact be brought in from reshus harabim.
Place within Hilchos Shabbos
Siman 353 closes the series on carrying relating to projections and roofs (345–353). The Talmudic source is Shabbos 5a and Eruvin 99b — the use of zizin above reshus harabim.
3. The key halachic concepts
Four concepts structure this siman:
The essential concepts of Siman 353:
- זִיז — ziz, a board or cornice projecting from a wall into the airspace of reshus harabim.
- לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲשָׂרָה — above 10 tefachim: the ziz is no longer in reshus harabim.
- רְשׁוּת בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ — a ziz of 4×4 is "a reshus unto itself"; two such overlapping zizin prohibit one another.
- כֵּלִים הַנִּשְׁבָּרִים — breakable vessels (earthenware, glass): only these may be placed on a ziz, lest an intact object that falls be brought in.
4. The seifim in detail — one by one
| Seif | Content |
|---|---|
| א | Two houses on either side of reshus harabim (one owner, or eruv): roofs of equal height → one may throw from one to the other; unequal heights → forbidden, except breakable objects. If a karmelis passes between them → permitted in all cases. |
| ב | A ziz of 4×4 above 10, with a window opening to it: one may use it. Two overlapping zizin of two people: if one is 4×4, it is "a reshus unto itself" and they prohibit one another; if neither is 4×4 → one uses both and the whole wall. |
| ג | On a ziz whose use is permitted, one places only breakable objects (earthenware, glass) — lest an intact object that falls into reshus harabim be brought in. Rama: a wide support like a roof is exempt from this restriction. Above a karmelis: all is permitted. |
The heart of the siman: two principles. Delimitation — a ziz of 4×4 becomes its own reshus that can neutralize its neighbors. Prevention — on a ziz exposed above reshus harabim, one places only breakable objects, so that a fall does not lead to a forbidden act of carrying.
5. The Mishnah Berurah — first entries
The Mishnah Berurah of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (the Chofetz Chaim) has 16 entries on this siman. Here are the first ones — to better understand the meaning of the seifim:
משנה ברורה (א) — (א) ועירבו - דבלא ערבו הלא אסור לטלטל מרשות לרשות אפילו בלא הפסק רשות הרבים בינתים כלל:
משנה ברורה (ב) — (ב) שוים וכו' - ר"ל דכיון שהם שוים אין צריך לאמן ידיו לזריקה שלא יפול החפץ למטה:
משנה ברורה (ג) — (ג) מותר לזרוק - ודוקא למעלה מי' דהוי מרה"י לרשות היחיד דרך מקום פטור אבל למטה מי' אסור:
For the full text of all 16 entries, see Sefaria: Mishnah Berurah 353.
6. The position of the Rama
The Rama adds an important distinction to seif ג: the restriction to breakable objects applies to the ziz (narrow); but a support wide like a roof, on which the user himself stands with the object, escapes this concern — one may place all vessels upon it.
The gloss of the Rama (seif ג):
- A narrow ziz above reshus harabim → only breakable objects.
- A wide support like a roof, on which one stands → all vessels permitted.
- A ziz above a karmelis → all is permitted (no decree in a karmelis).
- Chabad → follow the Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Siman 353 (see Level 4).
7. Modern practical cases
Siman 353 applies to balconies, cornices, and ledges facing the street:
| Situation | Quick analysis |
|---|---|
| Two roofs facing each other of equal height, one owner or eruv | Throwing from one to the other permitted (above 10); unequal heights → breakable objects only. |
| Balcony (ziz) with a window opening to it, above the street | One may use it if it is not neutralized by a neighboring ziz of 4×4. |
| Placing an object on a narrow windowsill facing the street | Only breakable objects — concern that an intact object that falls be brought in. |
| A wide support like a roof terrace | All objects permitted (Rama). |
For precise practical cases: measure the ziz, check the neighboring zizin and the nature of the object. For halachah lema'aseh, consult your Rav.
8. Practical summary of the Siman
The teachings of Siman 353:
- Two roofs of equal height (one owner / eruv): one may throw from one to the other above reshus harabim.
- A ziz of 4×4 is "a reshus unto itself"; two such overlapping zizin prohibit one another.
- On a ziz exposed to reshus harabim: only breakable objects.
- A wide support (roof) or a ziz above a karmelis: all objects permitted.
- For halachah lema'aseh, consult your local Rav.
9. Comprehension questions
Check your understanding:
- What is the general topic of Siman 353?
- How many seifim does this siman contain? What is the theme of each?
- What is the difference between the Mechaber and the Rama (where applicable)?
- What structuring halachic concepts appear in this siman?
- What is the practical takeaway for daily life?
- In which borderline cases should one consult a Rav?
Going further
If you want to delve deeper into this siman:
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- 📚 Level 2 — Lamdan: for the pilpul, the shittos of the Rishonim, the foundational chakiros, and the nuances of the Acharonim
- ✨ Level 3 — Synthesis: for quick review and memorization with mnemonics
- 📜 Level 4 — Daat HaRav: the shittah of the Alter Rebbe (Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 353)