Partners
may not divide a jointly owned courtyard against the will of one of
them – unless there are four amot left in the courtyard for each, which
is an area of about six feet by six feet. In addition, there must be
four amot in front of each one's door, for unloading animals.
The
general rule is: anything that after division retains its name (such as
a cloak if after division it becomes two small cloaks, and not two
pieces of a garment) may be forcibly divided. However, partners may not
divide scrolls of the Holy Scripture, even if both agree to it, since
cutting them in court would be a disgraceful act.