One
whose home adjoins a common courtyard is obligated to contribute toward
maintaining the privacy and security of the courtyard. If unwilling, he
may be compelled to help build a gatehouse and a door for the courtyard.
A
gatekeeper would sit in the shade of the gatehouse and prevent passerby
on the public road from gazing into the courtyard. The door was used to
keep outsiders from actually entering the courtyard.
How long
must one be in the city to be treated like one of the citizens of the
city? - 12 months. But if he bought a house, he is immediately treated
like one of the citizens.