CARRYING AND ERUVIN
Rabbi Zvi Lieberman

Q & A, Session 1


Am I correct in my understanding that in order for there to be an eruv, you need to have right of access to each and every private property within it, and if so, how is it really possible to “buy” this from the municipality? Don’t you have to “ask permission” from all local residents within the boundaries? (not just those who have poles on their properties – including all the non-Jews?)

As I mentioned this is a major issue with Eruvin today and dealt with in a number of responsa. As mentioned during the Shiur in a feudal society this was not a problem, it is only today where authorities need a warrant to gain access that it becomes an issue. Neverthless the consensus of poskim seems that it is possible to be socher rights from the police, fire, or municipality.

It has been reported to me in the name of Rabbi Nissim Karelitz that this may be a good reason to be machmir not to carry in an Eruv, but not a good enough reason not to make an Eruv.

Does the sea constitute a mechizah of an eruv?
Are there any natural boundaries? eg, river, sea, mountains?

They may. This was mentioned in the Shiur; to do so they must meet the minimum incline of rising or declining 10 tephachim within 4 amos.

On what basis can one ‘ever’ rely on an eruv that is reliant on poles etc, if one can never guarantee/know that it is up the whole of Shabbos? (ie, if it has been damaged by vandals or extreme weather)

Generally we can rely on Chazokos – probabilities. As the Eruv is checked every Erev Shabbos there is no reason to suspect that it will come down.

If students are renting a room in a house each, do they need to make an eruv?

If they do not share a kitchen and eating facilities they would need to do so. However if they all eat together in a shared room – that is their Eruv.

Please clarify if the usual pedestrian entrance to Edgware Yeshurun will be included in the eruv.

Yes it will. If you look outside just towards the main road you will se a yellow mark. That is where the pole is going!!

Is the alleyway Bakery Path between Station Road and Brook Avenue within the eruv?

Yes, but that fence is a “partition” of the Eruv.

Is it Maris Eyin for someone who has a toddler, and who lives outside the eruv, to keep a buggy at someone’s house nearby who does live inside the eruv, and walk there together with the toddler and use it?

No

Can one carry from a Reshus Hayachid to a Reshus Hayachid without an eruv, ie from one’s back garden over the fence to a neighbour’s garden either Jew or non-Jew?

No. That is the essence of the decree where an Eruv is required.

If you have a garden gate with no lintel, is there a problem with carrying in the garden?

Not if it is properly fully enclosed

Please list the four requirements for an eruv, with their translation.

Mechitzos – appropriate partitions
No Karfif - no areas that are impossible to access
Eruv – an appropriate quantity of food shared by all the participants in the Eruv.
Sechirus Reshus – obtaining permissions from the local authorities.

How much of the eruv is made up of wire and poles, and how much of what else?

Wires and poles make up less then 1 percent.

Questions about the learning programme?
email learning@hilchosshabbos.com

technical problems with this site? email webmaster@hilchosshabbos.com