Eruv Status

Eruv is: ■ UP

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Eruv Support


please consider financially supporting the eruv so that we may keep it up.


WHAT IS AN ERUV?

The Torah permits carrying within an enclosed “private” area on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Such an enclosed and “private” area may vary in size from a small home to an entire community. The Gemarah specifies both the definitions of an enclosure and how to render an entire area a private domain. All of these conditions have been met in order to create the Five Towns Eruv, making it permissible, within the outlined area and according to the conditions herein detailed, to carry on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

At the same time, it continues to be the responsibility of parents to teach their children the Halachos and restrictions of carrying on Shabbos. It is only because of the Eruv that we are allowed to carry within the area contained in the Eruv. Everyone, including children, should be aware of the proper Halachic behavior in areas where there is no Eruv.

ERUV GUIDELINES

A SOURCE FOR COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
An Eruv is helpful to families with young children and to individuals who are unable to walk, as carriages, strollers and wheelchairs may be wheeled within the areas of the Eruv. Others will find it convenient to bring a Talis or Siddur to Shul, a sefer to class or Shiur, or carry glasses, house keys, and other permitted items necessary for Shabbos.

The Eruv is there to enable people to carry items which add to the spirit of Shabbos. The Eruv does not allow for certain “weekday” activities to take place on Shabbos. Your local Rabbi will set those parameters for you.

THE LIMITS OF ERUV ENHANCEMENT

Please note that items required for use after Shabbos may not be carried on Shabbos even within the Eruv. There are also a number of common articles which because they are classified as Muktzah may not be moved or carried on Shabbos. All questions regarding Muktzah and other items should be addressed to each individual’s Rabbi.

WEEKLY ERUV INSPECTION
The Eruv will usually be inspected on Thursday afternoon. If necessary, repairs will be made on Thursday and Friday. An official voice message on the Eruv Hotline will notify everyone of the Eruv’s status each week.

It is the obligation of each individual who wishes to use the Eruv to ascertain, every Friday, that the Eruv is indeed functional. It is not adequate to assume that the Eruv is functional, even if there have been no storms or major adverse weather conditions during the previous week. Many factors can invalidate an Eruv, and only specific authoritative confirmation on Friday will confirm that the Eruv is kosher to use that week.

To determine if the Eruv is operational call: (516) 295-4212 after 2pm every Friday afternoon. Please remember that if the Eruv is not operational, carrying in the public domain is a serious halachic transgression.