Daily Halacha - Shabbat Laws, 20 Av 5777

Is it permissible for Sephardim to rely on the eruv of "tzurat hapetach" as is customary, and to carry items in and out on Shabbat from a private domain to a public domain?

Those who practice the permissible custom of carrying on Shabbat in a public domain using an eruv of "tzurat hapetach" have authorities on which to rely, and according to many later authorities, this leniency is possible even according to Maran's opinion. The sages of Jerusalem have similarly written that we do not have the status of a public domain in our times, and therefore the eruv of "tzurat hapetach" is effective for carrying in public domains in these times. However, one who is scrupulous about Hashem's word and completely refrains from carrying on Shabbat, blessings shall come upon him. Nevertheless, such a person is permitted to give items like a handkerchief or prayer book to someone who does carry on Shabbat, even if the recipient is of bar mitzvah age [Yabia Omer 9, 33].

How should one conduct themselves if the eruv is torn on Shabbat?

If the eruv is torn on Shabbat, it is permissible to ask a non-Jew to repair it, even though this involves activities forbidden by Torah law. However, it is not permissible for a Jew to repair it [Mishnah Berurah 276, 25].

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