INFORMATION REGARDING THE ERUV.

Click here for a map of the area of the eruv.

Click here for the full text of the halachos of the eruv


The status of the eruv as of now is KOSHER until further notice.

 Sponsors:
Alan & Deanna Alevy        Steven Alevy
Rick & Lisa Bloom         Dr. & Devorah Dahan
Jimmy & Susan Drew        Rocky & Danniele Forer
Dr. & Miriam Fried        Asher & Sarah Fried
Yitzy & Yehudis Geisinsky        David & Yael Gollub
Dr. Reuven Hochberg        Hessel & Miriam Kessler
David & Riva Kracoff        Shmueli & Shelly Newman
Nechemia & Devorie Newman        Daniel Penn
Rabbi & Rochi Popack        Rabbi & Miriam Rapoport
Dr. & Gloria Rothstein        Sruli & Dini Schochet
Daniel & Sarita Sragow        Allen & Stacy Sragow
Tuchman Associates        Eran & Tali Veiner
It’s not too late! You can still add your name to this list.


Special thank you to the following individuals for their assistance in making the Long Beach Community Eruv a reality:
Mr. & Mrs. Alevy
Lisa Bloom
Gov. Gray Davis
Jimmy Drew
Yitzy Geisinsky
David Kracoff
Rabbi Newman
Rabbi Mayer Newman
Rabbi Dovid Schochet
Allen & Stacy Sragow
Rabbi Avraham Taichamn
Rob Webb
Rabbi Pinchas Webberman
Howard Witkin

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Condensed text:

1. Checking the status of the Eruv

The Eruv committee has committed itself to the ongoing supervision and checking of our Eruv. Wherever and whenever a problem develops, we will move as quickly as possible to fix it.  Nevertheless, weather conditions and other natural and manmade problems will sometimes cause every Eruv to fail. 

Therefore, nobody should use the Eruv without making sure it is operational for that Shabbos. EVERY Erev Shabbos one should do one of the following:

  1. Call the ERUV hotline at 888-4LB-ERUV to check the status of the Eruv.
  2. Check the website www.LongBeachShul.com which will show the status of the Eruv.

Please note that even if the Eruv was up before Shabbos, a storm or strong winds during the course of Shabbos will presumably disqualify.  In case of storm or the like assume the Eruv is down and desist from its usage.

2. Planning Events

To avoid disappointment and inadvertent chilul Shabbos, no Kiddush, bar mitzvah, bris, aufruf, or other joyous event should be planned under the assumption that the Eruv will be operational.  Preparations should proceed as if there is no Eruv.  Examples of such advance planning include that food should be brought to the location before Shabbos, a copy of the bar mitzvah boys’ speech should be brought to Shul before Shabbos, and the like.  One should not assume that an event would take place outdoors.

3. Eruv “do nots”

The users of the Eruv are therefore strictly prohibited from:

  1. Using an umbrella
  2. Riding a bicycle, scooter or using roller skates
  3. Absolutely no ball playing by adults is allowed on Shabbos as a result of the Eruv

4. Muktzah

The prohibition of Muktzah safeguards us from prohibited activity on Shabbos and ensures that Shabbos is different from all other days of the week.

Many articles are “Muktzah” and prohibited to move on Shabbos.  Some of the more common are:

  1. Any item which has no Shabbos functional use such as pets, stones and credit cards.
  2. Any item so valuable that one expends extra care to protect and safeguard it such as passports, checks and other expensive items.
  3. Any item which cannot be used on Shabbos or whose intended use is for after Shabbos such as car keys or an umbrella.

5. What is allowed

Commonly used articles that do not pose a problem on Shabbos for Eruv users include:

  1. baby carriages and strollers
  2. canes,  walkers and wheelchairs
  3. food (concerning giving/receiving presents on Shabbos, consult your Rav)
  1. handkerchiefs
  2. gloves and rain hats
  3. house keys
  4. a siddur or sefer
  5. medicines

One must be certain that any Muktzah items are removed from the above before Shabbos starts.

6. Kashrus Approval of Eruv

 

Rabbi Avrohom Teichman of Los Angeles has certified the validity of the Long Beach Community Eruv [LBCE].  Rabbi Newman has worked closely with Rabbi Teichman and two Chabad Rabbis to sort out all issues relating too the LBCE Eruv and is satisfied that it meets their Halachic approval.

 

Making use of the Eruv even for essential use is a very personal decision of Lfi or Lifnim (Me)shuras Hadin. In similar situations in Israel, over a long period of time, in Lubavitcher communities many individuals will not use the Eruv under any circumstances. The families that do make use of the Eruv – it is most frequently NOT used by the men as Mishna Berura states ’Baal Nefesh Yachmir Al Atzmo even if he is not machmir on bnei (bnos) baiso.’ It is unusual to find all members of a family making use of the Eruv. In a Lubavitcher community one’s Mahpia rather than Rov should be consulted.

 

There will probably be many observances – albeit within Halachic guidelines - relating to our Eruv. Most importantly, there should exist mutual respect for whatever guidelines a family may choose. The purpose of an Eruv is for Oneg and Menucha on Shabbos. It is our hope that the Eruv will only enhance our community and create greater growth physically and spiritually.

 For any Halachic questions regarding the laws and use of the Eruv, please consult a Rav.