Sakana - Walking at Night

QUESTION: Is it considered a sakana (danger) to walk outside at night alone?

ANSWER: The Rema (YD 116:5) writes that it is forbidden to place oneself in danger, such as to walk outside at night alone. The source for this is the Gemara Pesachim (112b) which states that there were mazikim (dangerous spirits) that would attack those who walk outside alone at night. The Gemara relates that Abayei commanded these spirits to leave the populated areas. However, the Gemara concludes that the mazikim have not completely gone away. The Rema ruled that since Abayei’s plea was not successful, it remains forbidden to travel alone at night even in populated areas. However, the Turei Even (Chagiga 3b) understood that Abayei’s prayer was mostly accepted, and from then on it became uncommon for mazikin to enter populated areas. It is only an extra stringency not to walk alone at night in a city. The Shaarim Ha’Mitzuyanim B’Halacha (68:4) writes that even according to the Rema, if one walks in a lit area, it is as if one is walking during the day, and there is no sakana.

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