A Weekly Duty

The Eruv will be inspected weekly to verify that it is functional. However it is the obligation of each individual who wishes to use the Eruv to ascertain, every Friday, that the Eruv is indeed functional.

TO DETERMINE IF THE ERUV IS OPERATIONAL EACH FRIDAY Call (847) 679-ERUV after 1 p.m.

It is NOT sufficient for one to assume that the Eruv is functional if there have been no storms or major adverse weather conditions in the past week. Many factors can invalidate an Eruv, and only specific authoritative confirmation on Friday validates the Eruv for use each week. Please remember that if the Eruv is not operational, carrying in the street on Shabbat is a transgression.

Do’s and Don’ts Within The Eruv

1. The purpose of our Eruv is the enhancement of Shabbat observance, not its diminution. Therefore the existence of the Eruv should not be considered a dispensation to enter places not consistent with maintaining the sanctity and spiritual character of Shabbat, e.g. business establishments, stores, offices, places of entertainment (movies etc.) libraries, even if payment arrangements have been made in advance. Athletic activities such as bicycle riding, tennis, ball playing, swimming, skating and sledding are forbidden. Gardening, picking or moving of flowers, fruits or any other vegetation is forbidden on Shabbat. Watering the lawn is prohibited, as are playing in the sprinkler, or playing with water outdoors. Playing in the sandbox is not permitted. Once Shabbat begins, it is forbidden to put out the trash on the street. It is forbidden to mail letters on Shabbat.
2. What is important is to observe the “spirit of Shabbat” and avoid “Maaseh Chol,” mundane acts. Even within the Eruv there are a number of common articles which, because they are classified as rnuktzeh (cut off from use), may not be carried or handled on Shabbat. Although these items may not be handled even at home on Shabbat, we wish to remind you of these restrictions. We cannot provide a full catalog of rnuktzeh items, but suggest that you refer all questions in this regard to your Rabbi. Some of these categories of muktzeh include:
   1. Any item whose main use is prohibited on the Shabbat, e.g. a hammer, writing implements, wallets, purses, pocketbooks, etc.
   2. Any item which is neither food, nor a utensil that has a practical use on the Shabbat, e.g. money, animals, stones, credit cards, etc.
   3. Any item so valuable that one expends extra care for its safety, e.g. passports, checks, expensive paintings, merchandise set aside for sale, etc.
   4. Any item attached to its source of growth at the onset of Shabbat but which fell from its source of growth on Shabbat, etc.
3. An umbrella may not be carried even if opened before Shabbat and Yom Tov. Baby carriages should be assembled or set up Friday afternoon before candle lighting. Sun shades on carriages or strollers should be placed in position for use before Shabbat begins and should not be moved. Gardening equipment, tools, athletic equipment and sleds may not be carried or used even within an Eruv. Two wheel bicycles are considered muktzeh.
4. In order to assure that no joyous event be marred by disappointment or, G-d forbid, inadvertent transgression of Hilchot Shabbat, no Kiddush, Bar Mitzvah, Aufruf or other Shabbat affair should be planned with the assumption that the Eruv will be operational, as last minute storms or other phenomena could render the Eruv invalid. Therefore, since the events must be planned far in advance, all simchot should be prepared as if there is no Eruv, e.g. food should be brought to the location of the simcha before Shabbat, a copy of the Bar Mitzvah’s derasha should be brought to Shul before Shabbat, etc.
5. The Eruv will usually be inspected on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, and a taped message on the “Eruv Hot Line” ((847) 679-ERUV) will notify everyone of the results of the inspection each week.  In addition, you may now also sign up for Email notification of the Eruv status (note, that due to issues beyond our control, lack of an Email to the contrary should not be taken as an indication that the Eruv is ok - in this case you should always check the "Eruv Hot Line" ((847) 679-ERUV).  In case of a major storm beginning anytime after preparation of the tape - generally around 1 p.m. on Friday (or after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, when Yom Tov precedes Shabbat) the Eruv should be presumed to be non- operational. Heavy rains, wind, snow, or other meteorological conditions can frequently invalidate an Eruv. To eliminate the chance of inappropriate reliance on a damaged Eruv, it is best to automatically assume that the Eruv is invalid in the aftermath of any severe storm.
6. Our Eruv was constructed according to the highest standards of the halachot governing this complex subject, under the direction of HaRav Gedaliah Dov Schwartz, Shlit"a, Av Beth Din Chicago Rabbincal Council. Great effort has been made to fulfill even minority opinions among halachic decisons in the Eruv’s construction. Nevertheless, it is imperative for those who use the Eruv and for those who choose not to avail themselves of the Eruv, to respect each other’s opinions so that the Eruv will truly help to unify our community.