#9: Traveling on Friday (Part 1)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 249:1) writes that one may not walk more than the distance of 3 parsah (about 7 miles or 12 km) on Friday. The reason is that in earlier times, it was assumed that one’s hosts (or family, if returning home) would not know one was coming and not have time to prepare sufficient food for Shabbat. The Shulchan Aruch therefore writes that if the hosts (or family) know one plans to arrive, one may travel farther than 3 parsah.
  2. Today, due to modern communication, nearly all hosts or family know that the person traveling is expected. In addition, many people prepare enough food that a few unexpected guests would still have food to eat (Mishnah Berurah 249:3). Consequently, this halacha no longer applies in its original form in most situations.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.