20 Aug STEP BY STEP: EXPLORING THE CONCEPT OF TECHUMIM

Although those who
spend the summer in
the country are
usually familiar with
the concept of
techumim, many
who visit for just a
Shabbat or go camping may not be.
Let’s explain the basics of this concept.
Techumim (plural of techum) refers to the
boundaries within which a person may travel
on Shabbat. According to halacha, a person
is generally restricted from walking more
than 2,000 amot (cubits), which is
approximately 0.6 miles or 1 kilometer,
beyond the edge of their city or settlement.
This distance is measured from the last house
or structure in the area and is known as the
techum Shabbat.
The exact number of steps one may take
from the end of the city can vary depending
on the length of one’s stride, but here’s a
general calculation:
1. The length of an amah is approximately
18-24 inches (45.7-61 cm). For simplicity,
let’s use the commonly accepted
measurement of 20.4 inches (51.8 cm) for
one amah.

2. 2,000 amot would therefore be 2,000 amot
× 20.4 inches = 40,800 inches.
3. Converting inches to feet: 40,800 inches ÷
12 = 3,400 feet (approximately 1,036
meters).
To determine the number of steps:
– The average person’s stride length is about
2.5 feet (30 inches).
– 3,400 feet ÷ 2.5 feet per step = 1,360 steps.
So, 2,000 amot is approximately 1,360 steps.
Although people staying in more religious
areas can usually identify where the techum
ends by signs indicating the boundary’s
limit, it is still very easy to inadvertently
violate this prohibition by walking beyond
the allowed distance.
A rough calculation shows that an average
person walking at a typical speed will cover
2,000 amot in about 11-12 minutes.
Therefore, anyone going for a Shabbat
afternoon walk past their bungalow colony is
likely to exceed this distance. This makes the
halacha very relevant, and one must take
care not to overlook it while enjoying their
walk.
The reason many aren’t aware of this

prohibition is that, unlike other Shabbat
prohibitions that apply regardless of
location, this particular halacha rarely
applies when living in a city. In urban areas,
houses often extend far beyond the 2,000
amot limit, allowing people to walk any
distance in any direction on Shabbat.
However, when visiting the country, people
may either be unaware of this prohibition or,
at best, not have it in mind.
This situation becomes extremely serious if
one mistakenly crosses the techum boundary.
In such a case, halacha does not permit him
to return to the permitted area, and he may
find himself confined to an area of just 8
amot (cubits). This restriction can only be
lifted in specific circumstances, such as
needing to use the bathroom or if the weather
is harsh, such as on a hot day, a cold day, or
. (שולחן ערוך או״ח סימן טו)raining is it if
Another important point to keep in mind is
that this halacha applies to Yom Tov as well.
One might mistakenly think that since
carrying items in the public domain is
allowed on Yom Tov without an eruv, it
would also be permissible to walk beyond
the distance of 2,000 amot. However, the
techum restriction applies to both Shabbat
and Yom Tov.

This is a brief overview of the relevant
halacha, but it is only a summary. Each
individual should discuss their specific
situation in detail with their rabbi for a more
thorough understanding.
According to Sefer Hachinuch (Mitsva 24)
the concept of techumim is rooted in the idea
that Shabbat and Yom Tov are times for rest
and spiritual reflection, and traveling long
distances can detract from that focus.
However, there are certain provisions that
allow for the extension of the techum under
specific circumstances. For example, by
establishing an eruv techumin—a symbolic
meal or food placed at the edge of the techum
boundary before Shabbat—a person can
effectively extend their travel limit by an
additional 2,000 amot in a specific direction.