A GUIDE TO THE ERUV

In the thirty years since its erection, we have managed to improve and expand the Oak Park Eruv, as well provide ongoing maintenance. A generation has lapsed since its creation and we feel that it is important to inform our growing membership of the original guidelines that were set in place when it was established.

(From the original Guide to the Oak Park Eruv by Rabbi Reuven Drucker)

Kedushas Shabbos

"Whoever hallows Shabbos as befits it, whoever safeguards Shabbos properly from desecration, his reward is exceedingly great in accordance with his deed." - Zemiros: Kol Mekadesh

The observance of Shabbos, in addition to being the fulfillment of one of the most important mitzvos of the Torah, has a practical benefit to us. No matter how intensely involved we become in the physical world, Shabbos reminds us of our spiritual responsibilities - of our duties to our Creator.

The purpose of the Eruv is to enhance Shabbos observance and promote Kedushas Shabbos. Activities which run counter to the spiritual loftiness of the day are to be avoided. It is each individual's responsibility to ensure that his entire family maintain the proper Shabbos atmosphere in the streets of our community.

An Eruv permits carrying outside one's home those items which could normally be carried within one's home on Shabbos. In general, those things which may be carried on Yom Tov (when Yom Tov falls during the week) may be carried outside on Shabbos within the Eruv. Examples of these items include: baby carriages, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, food, Tallis, Seforim, house keys, handkerchiefs, gloves, rain hats and medicine.

On the other hand, activities that infringe on hilchos v’kedushas Shabbos are prohibited, even with the Eruv: These include activities such as bicycle riding (tricycle riding for young children is permitted), skating, sledding, shoveling snow, gardening, raking leaves, picking or moving fallen fruits or flowers, watering the lawn or playing in a sprinkler, bringing the refuse to the curb, mailing letters, carrying items to be used after Shabbos such as office keys, picking up merchandise from a store (even if it has been paid for in advance), carrying an umbrella (even if it was opened beforehand), feeding birds or animals, attending movies or sporting events (even if the ticket was purchased before Shabbos) and carrying Muktzah items, such as a pocket book, wallet, pencil, money, or credit cards.

The Talmud relates that the city of Tur Shimon was destroyed because of ball playing on Shabbos. The poskim tell us that ball playing for adults is strictly prohibited. This includes tennis, golf, baseball, football and other similar sports. For very young children, however, the halacha is more lenient. In one's own backyard away from public view, a young child is permitted to throw a ball in a simple fashion. Under no conditions may children play ball in the street. This would certainly diminish the Kedushas Shabbos in our community.

Eruv Status And Boundaries

The utility companies are constantly moving wires and changing poles. Many times those alterations render the Eruv invalid, until repairs are made by the Eruv maintenance team. It is therefore incumbent on everyone to first ascertain that the Eruv is operational before carrying. This applies for every week of the year. Every Erev Shabbos, after the perimeter of the Eruv is inspected, a recorded message will announce the date and Parsha and the status of the Eruv. Call the Eruv Hotline at 248-968-ERUV (3788) after 2:30 PM on Erev Shabbos for the updated report. If Yom Tov is Thursday or

Friday, the hotline should be called on Erev Yom Tov. Similarly, one should call on Erev Yom Kippur. Text messaging and email notifications are also available. One can sign up for the weekly notifications at detroiteruv@gmail.com. The map indicates the perimeter of the Eruv. It is permitted to carry only within these boundaries. In general, the boundary streets indicated by boldfaced black lines on the map should be considered outside the Eruv. If there is a need to carry on one of these streets, consult the Rabbinic Administrator, Rabbi Wolf or the Rabbinic Supervisor, Rabbi Kaplan. The Eruv was established in our community to benefit those individuals who had a compelling reason to rely on the Eruv. Every community Eruv will utilize various leniencies in the poskim and should only be used in cases of necessity. This was the intent of the ones who established the Eruv and continues to be the objective of those who are currently responsible for the maintenance and inspection of the Eruv.

Important Note

We understand the needs of our kosher customers and want to be your continued source for kosher food. We stock the following brands and items, plus many more!