Surprise Shabbat Dilemmas: When Vacation Plans Hit a Snag

It was the Friday before Shabbat when Rabbi Isaiah Wind, head of the 'Beit HaEruv' ruling house, received a call from a man on his way to a hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel had a high standard of kashrut, and he wanted to know if he could carry items when stepping outside the hotel premises.

"I checked into it," Rabbi Wind recounts, "and found that there is indeed an eruv in the area, but it doesn’t extend to the hotel itself. The hotel is outside the eruv's domain. I had to inform the man who was quite disappointed he couldn’t stroll with his wife beyond the hotel. Moreover, I reminded him of potential challenges if he stayed in a hotel room that opened to the courtyard or if he wanted to carry something from the hotel building to the courtyard - all dependent on the enclosing fence and other halachic considerations. We maintained contact right up to Shabbat, discussing the specifics of the hotel's layout and the applicable laws.

"I ended the call just as Shabbat began, not for the first time pondering the distress faced by those who would have preferred to book a vacation in a hassle-free area, and would have checked the eruv’s status earlier, avoiding last-minute scrambling.

"When planning a vacation, people verify so many details – costs, meals, bed arrangements, even the mikveh and synagogue, so why not inquire about the eruv? All the hotel’s offerings become irrelevant if you can’t leave without worry, perhaps even unable to take out belongings, including a young child who can’t walk yet.

Rabbi Wind inspecting the eruv for a group visiting a tent area

Example of an invalid eruv

Thorough inspection of eruv poles

Enormous Distress

Rabbi Wind has been engaged with eruv matters for over a decade and heads the Beit Pinchas program for rabbis and judges studying eruv laws. He leads 'Beit HaEruv', based in Jerusalem but serving the whole country, providing accessible information to all inquirers.

"Over the years, I've seen how much more necessary this is than I first imagined," Rabbi Wind notes, "as many people have no one to consult, given the complexity of eruv laws. Even among great scholars, few specialize in it, and not all halachic authorities entertain eruv questions.

"Additionally, we maintain a team of rabbis and volunteers who inspect various eruv areas on weekends, ensuring the cords are intact and making necessary repairs. Rain or shine, these eruv supervisors ensure free Shabbat movement. Most people are unaware of their efforts, yet these are the pivotal achievements allowing us freedom of movement during Shabbat.

"We receive calls with clear answers, but situations arise where people, hospital-bound during Shabbat, seek guidance on carrying items. While most hospitals have an eruv, allowing carrying, I once spoke with someone in the U.S. for rare treatment, discovering their hospital lacked an eruv—making it clear that without a proper eruv, no items could be carried except under specific conditions. Another called from Switzerland, after his father was injured during a hike, inquiring about Shabbat rules; we found a permissible way for them to carry within the hospital.

"A couple contacted us recently, unable to afford extravagances, advised by their rabbi to vacation due to past events, saving every penny for it. Now, they’re calling to confirm the eruv at their cabin. We found the place had a basic eruv, but no continuous oversight, painfully informing them they'd potentially be stuck the entire Shabbat unable to take out a stroller for their child.

Without proper partitions, carrying in the courtyard is not allowed

Soldiers at the northern border asking about carrying permissions

"Ask and Demand"

Rabbi Wind stresses that those who inquire receive answers, but the major issue is with those who never ask, accustomed to living where an eruv is always available, unaware some areas lack one.

How can we explain the lack of awareness about this issue?

"It stems from many living in places where there’s always an eruv, detached from questions and checks. It's as if we grow up with a silver spoon. In Haredi cities and neighborhoods, one can rely on rabbis for eruv matters, but what about vacations or reunions away from home, or yeshiva camps?

"Since people aren't used to verifying eruvs, some situations go unchecked or are addressed too late," Rabbi Wind explains. "Regrettably, among approximately 1,267 settlements, many face severe eruv challenges. Sometimes it’s disclosed, like secular areas, while other places seem covered, with many religious families unknowingly relying on flawed or torn eruvs due to financial deficits. Many councils deem eruvs low-priority, leaving them unreliable.

"A vacation planner contacted me, not the first time, querying about a designated settlement’s eruv. Upon review, I found a basic eruv, but far from adequate. After negotiations, they were about to close, yet he insisted on an eruv condition. This led the venue owner to press the local leaders, who then reached out to rabbis—now addressing the issue. It proved sometimes local demand is vital for action. Yes, the public and venue owners must know that without demands, nothing changes, but requests lead to likely results.

"This mission significantly impacts each of us reading," Rabbi Wind emphasizes. "Observing mitzvot can be challenging, but eruv’s specialization allows us to ensure a settlement is encircled, thereby safeguarding thousands from numerous Shabbat transgressions unintentionally. The merit and opportunity are immensely substantial, especially in larger cities.

"If we each insist on high-standard eruvs at home and during travels, this can quickly lead to widespread eruv enhancements nationwide."

For questions and inquiries regarding eruvim: Beit HaEruv 02-5-666-999

Or via email COM.GMAIL@025666999E