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Disembarking From a Cruise Ship in Port on Shabbat

Question

If you’re already on a cruise for the weekend, are you allowed to disembark on Shabbat day if the ship is docked and leaves again at night?

Answer

You may not go more than 2000 amot (960 meters).

Sources

The Shulchan Aruch addresses this case directly. A person traveling by ship who reaches a harbor on Shabbat may go down from the ship, provided the ship stayed more than ten handbreadths above the sea or river bed from the start of Shabbat. He then has 2000 amot from the place where the ship came within ten handbreadths. So he may disembark, but only within the techum. The general rule is also stated in the Shulchan Aruch: every person has 2000 amot in each direction from the place where he spent Shabbat, and no more.

  • Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 404:1 — one who arrives by ship at a harbor on Shabbat may disembark, and has 2000 amot from the point where the ship came within ten handbreadths of the bed
  • Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 397:1 — every person has 2000 amot in each direction from the place where he spent Shabbat

Author

Rabbi Shay Tahan

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