This category involves carrying in a public place. Carrying in a private home is permitted on the Sabbath. It is only in a public domain that it is forbidden.

This is one of the few categories of work that is actually mentioned in the Torah. It is also the very first type of work that was prohibited.

The initial commandment of the Sabbath was given in connection with the Manna. But what possible type of work was involved in gathering a portion of Manna for one's family? Obviously, this is carrying. Thus, when Moses told the people (Ex. 16:29), "Let no man leave his place on the seventh day," he was telling them that they could not carry the Manna. 

The Torah also gives an account of a man who was put to death for gathering wood on the Sabbath. Here again, according to some commentators his violation of the Sabbath involved carrying.

In a third place, the Prophet Jeremiah specifically warns his people not to carry on the Sabbath. He says (Jeremiah 17:21-22), "Take heed and carry no burdens on the Sabbath ... Also do not carry any burden out of your houses on the Sabbath."

Carrying is really the foundation of all other types of Sabbath work. The definition of such work is any act where man demonstrates his mastery over nature. But the first act by which man demonstrates such mastery is by taking things from nature and carrying them where he needs them. This was the deed of the man gathering wood. Therefore, if we are to relinquish our mastery over nature, the first requirement is that we not carry anything away.

In a sense, by not carrying, we also relinquish our ownership of everything in the world. A main sign of ownership is that one may take something wherever he pleases. On the Sabbath, we give up something of this ownership. Nothing may be removed from the house. When a man leaves his house, he may carry nothing but the clothing on his back. It is HaShem, not man, who owns all things.