The Manhattan Eruv Returns
While controversies about the construction of an eruv tends to create arguments in various towns between recently-arrived Orthodox Jews and longer-resident Jews or non-Jews.
Manhattan’s an interesting exception: no one other than the Orthodox will object to the construction of one, on the basis of its coherence with rabbinic law. This follows, in part, due to various specifics of rabbinic law that have to do with how an island and large thoroughfares are treated. For example, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein pretty much nixed the idea of an eruv in Manhattan at all; many have circumvented that ruling to create local ones in areas of Manhattan such as the Upper West Side and the eastern end of Washington Heights (of course, in the specifics of the debate, the groups that created these may or may not feel that they are reflecting Feinstein’s intent). In some other areas (the western end of Washington Heights comes to mind), there are some Orthodox who want to construct a local eruv, but feel that the larger community in the area would block it. In my community of the Lower East Side, where Feinstein lived and where some of his children remain, people who’d want an eruv don’t even bother discussing it, because the opposing view is so dominant (though there is the common feature of the quite-small courtyard eruv, which will enclose the park space between apartment buildings).
Perhaps the most controversial eruv of all, though, is the “Manhattan Eruv,” an assertion by Rabbi Menachem Kasher in a 1959 pamphlet that the sea walls, piers, and general construction of the perimeter of the island created a legitimate eruv, in and of itself. Various leading area rabbis spoke out in favor of or against Kasher’s idea in the decades since, and it’s certainly the case taht the majority of Orthodox Jews on the island eventually disagreed with him (in part because some asserted that his study of the sea walls in Harlem was flawed).
Rabbi Adam Mintz of Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim (formerly, and controversially, of the Lincoln Square Synagogue), sent out an e-mail that Esther Kustanowitz shares revealing that:
Much has changed on the Island of Manhattan in the past 46 years, including the structural configuration of the sea walls and piers. A survey of Manhattan was recently conducted by the Mechon Le-Horaah, a rabbinical court in Monsey that has built eruvin in many communities around the country. The rabbis of the Mechon determined that due to structural changes in the sea wall and piers, the Manhattan Eruv was no longer halachically acceptable. The rabbis of Manhattan met at Congregation Kehilat Jeshurun on June 29, 2005 to discuss the report of the Mechon. I participated at this meeting that brought together rabbis of different synagogues and organizations in Manhattan. At the conclusion of the meeting, the rabbis decided that it was their responsibility to announce to their congregations that the Manhattan Eruv was no longer halachically acceptable.
At the same time, the rabbis agreed to support the creation of a new Manhattan Eruv that would be built under the auspices of the Mechon Le-Horaah and would utilize strings and poles to encompass as much of Manhattan as is deemed halachically possible. This work has already begun in the past few years as individual shuls have worked with the Mechon to build smaller eruvim within Manhattan.
Much, presumably, to come.
[Note that Kustanowitz is wrong when she writes that “Upper West and Upper East Sides and Central Park still fall within the halachic limits of the eruv.” Those are the individual, smaller ones that Mintz mentions at his conclusion.]
UPDATE: A slightly different explanation from Rabbi Nasanyl Braun of The Lincoln Square Synagogue:
After months of study and discussion, it appears that the Manhattan eruv, which was established almost fifty years ago, can no longer be maintained as a proper eruv. The problem is not halakhic but rather structural. Many changes have taken place over the last decade or two, which make it extremely difficult to maintain the kashrut of the eruv. The necessary improvements to bring the eruv up to the standards that Rabbi Kasher, of blessed memory, established would be very expensive to make and, in any event, the nature of traffic and construction in Manhattan make it virtually impossible to assure the kashrut of the eruv on any given Shabbat.
A group of rabbis met on Wedesday, June 29 and made the painful decision to stop checking the Manhattan eruv and cease to maintain it. At the same time, we agreed to support the Mid-Manhattan eruv, which essentially covers all of Manhattan from the 50’s up to 111th Street on the East Side, and up to 126th Street in parts of the West Side. This includes the former West Side eruv and a major extension to Central Park and the East Side. The boundaries of the eruv can be found on the door of the shul and on our website.
We further agreed to encourage and fund the extension of the Manhattan eruv southward as far as it can be extended. At present, there are already plans developing to extend the eruv into the 20’s on the East Side. We would like to encompass as much of Manhattan below 126th Street as we possibly can in order to include as many Jewish communities as possible.
July 11th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
And please note that when Kustanowitz made the aforementioned statement, she was doing so based on the email she received.
August 4th, 2005 at 3:43 pm
Esther Kustanowitz’ has an amazing history and outline of the issues around eruv in Manhattan, particularly on the Lower East Side. The one thing I can add is that there are many people on the Lower East Side who want to see and eruv return and are just beginning to sound off together.
This is a case where opposing view is no so much dominant, but more vocal. People have had a very odd fear of retribution and/or excommunication for speaking up, but that has been changing as the community changes. The faithfuls of Rav Moshe are moving away or dying as a more modern “Ramaz” type crowd move in or remain living on the LES.
I am hopeful that the will to preserve a Jewish community can win out over the more detrimental effect of remaining silent/doing nothing as the Jewish community ebbs away.
September 22nd, 2005 at 6:56 pm
Thank you for covering this. I’m still awed by the degree of bitterness and dispute over these NY eruvin. I’ve linked to this post from a piece about making a small eruv in Flatbush. Take care.
December 8th, 2005 at 10:33 am
There was an eruv in Manhattan in 1908 approved of by leading scholars of the generation. They ruled, rivers around Manhattan, are valid walls around it.
These rivers, there since creation, have never dried up, and will never dry up.
Their ruling was published in Sefer Eruv Vhotzah, along with a book about the eruv in Odessa, Russia, in 1900. This important work, with super genius letters on eruven, was republished in 1979. It’s available by writing P.O.B. 786, Woodbourne, N Y 12788, and enclosing $5.00.
Astounding! Those involved with eruv in Manhattan, completely ignore this monumental work. Mechon L’Horah in Monsey is busy puting up strings and posts. When there are walls around Manhattan. It’s silly to put up strings and posts where there are walls.
December 9th, 2005 at 6:14 am
All rabbonim working on establishing an eruv in Manhattan must first study Sefer Eruv Vehotzah. Because, this matter was discussed, and ruled upon, by leading, known, holy sages, accepted by Clall Yisroel as prime authorities on Jewish Law, 100 years ago.Their super genius writings on this subject does not leave any room for discussion.
Sefer Tiv Yehoshuah, first published about eruv in Odessa, Russian, in 1900, is published with this book. He also rules oceans and rivers are walls around a city. Therefore, the Black Sea, is a wall for city of Odessa, on side which is on the Black Sea.
He also states in his book. When he was in the holy city of Jerusalem(may it be rebuilt in our days), he showed his book to leading Torah scholars living there, and to the great gaon Rav Chiam Berlin, Rov of Moscow, Russia, who went there to live in his later years.They all praised his book and agreed with his rulings.
Sefer Tikun Shabbos, contains letters from leading Torah sages of the generation, about the eruv in odessa in 1900. They all ruled the Black Sea is a wall for Odessa. It’s available by sending $5.00 to P.O.B. 786, Woodbourne, N Y 12788.
December 9th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
The Divrei Malkiel, holy Rabbi of Lomza,Poland, wrote in a letter to Rabbonim of Odessa, Russia, concerning eruv there in 1900. Ruling the ocean is a wall is not a matter for discussion. Because, it has been common custom, for many generations to rely on this ruling in many large cities.
His letter was published in Sefer Tikun Shabbos, with letters about the eruv in Odessa , Russia, in 1900, from noted sages of the generation.They all agreed, oceans and rivers, are walls. His letter was later published in his monumental work Divrei Malkiel. First published in his lifetime:and republished about fourty years ago.
Concerning Manhattan: rivers around it have never dried up since creation:and, will never dry up.Therefore, it’s very weird. Rabbonim found boundries around Manhattan invalid. WHY? Did the Hudson and East River dry up?
Rabbonim ruling on this matter, have an obligation to study all sources availabe, before issuing a ruling.If they want to argue with all aforementioned holy sages who lived over 100 yeas ago, and were accepted as prime authorities on Jewish Law, they have an obligation to clearly state their reasons. To date this has not been done. Therefore, their ruling about Manhattan is completely null and void.
December 9th, 2005 at 1:04 pm
Comments on my above posts are gladly accepted:and, will be reviewed and studied.
December 9th, 2005 at 1:16 pm
Concerning Reb Moshe Feinstein’s view on eruvin in Brooklyn see website;”Flatbush eruv shiah director”. Concerning Manhattan see Igros Moshe 4:89.
He was never against eruvin anywhere. He only wanted to be machmer as explained clearly there.
Additions at end of part 4 were never written by him. He never would have written and published such nonsense. Against known facts.
December 22nd, 2005 at 12:33 pm
Just a point of information. Shatzer Rov, author of book TIKUN ERUVIN , said:
everyone in the Agudas Harabbonim agreed an eruv should be made for Manhattan. There was “ONE ELBERG” who didn’t want one. Had it not been for his rants and raves there would have been an eruv there. Nevwrtheless, he made an eruv for all of Manhattan and checked it every week. He passed away a few years ago. Don’t know status of his eruv.
December 25th, 2005 at 5:13 am
I might add. Letter published in Igros Moshe part 8, about eruvin in Brooklyn, written to Rav Menasha Klein, is a complete forgery, never written by Reb Moshe. Rabbi Klein’s answer to this letter published in MISNAH HALOCOS part 8, shows stupidity of this letter.
More.so, aforementioned letter in Igros Moshe, printed after Rob Moshe’s passing, contradicts what he published in Igros Moshe part 4 letters 87- 88-89.When he was alive. Amazing! But true.
Anti-eruv people think prominent pro-eruv rabbonim are stupid. They are not stupid. However, letters of this nature hoodwink the stupid public. Too lazy to check facts.
January 1st, 2006 at 2:49 pm
Recently, a 20 page booklet “Eruv Isser An Analysis”, by Rabbi Shiah Director was published.About eruvin in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Copies of unananswered letters written to anti-eruv Rabbonim,in 5764, asking them to explain why they are against eruvin,are printed there. Plus othere information, explaining clearly: all opposition to eruvin is complete nonsense. For free (donations are welcome) copy write P.O.B., 786, Woodbourne, N Y 12788.
January 9th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
for information on eruvin see: ... “eruv”
January 9th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
for information on eruvin see website: ... “eruv”
January 11th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
For information about eruvin see: ... “eruv”
January 14th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Booklet proving, with non disputable proofs, letter in Igros Moshe, part 8, about Brooklyn eruv, is a complete forgery, was published three years ago.It’s available by sending $2.00 to P.O.B. 786, Woodbourne, N Y 12788.
January 15th, 2006 at 4:53 am
Three posts above: “For information” etc are mistakes. They should read: see “eruv” page 5 on website: ...
January 15th, 2006 at 4:54 am
israel613
January 15th, 2006 at 4:56 am
also see other important information about eruvin there in other pages on Israel613
January 16th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
For more interesting information about eruvin see;”Just Passing Through” and comments by this writer.
January 16th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Also, see “ERUV” website for information on Manhattan Eruv of 1908.
January 21st, 2006 at 11:50 pm
see website “JUST PASSING THROUGH”
March 7th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Shiah, wow, you have a lot of posts to read.
Well, apparently, the Grand portion of the Lower East Side is being excluded, for obvious reasons, but there will be an eruv arriving to a neighborhood nearby. Expected by Passover 2006, an eruv will run as low down as Houston Street from Avenue A, through Sixth Avenue across up to about 57th Street where the western Manhattan eruv ends.
So, LES loses an opportunity once again.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Thank you!