Eruv ‘treif’ last Shabbat

FOR the first time in 13 years, certain members of the community were not able to reap the benefits of Melbourne’s eruv last Shabbat.

The perimeter of the religious boundary is inspected each week and until now, when any damage has been found, repairs have been immediately arranged.

However, on this occasion, it was discovered that roadworks had compromised the halachic status of the eruv and the matter could not be resolved prior to Shabbat.
As the problem was in Highett, it was feasible to resuscitate the old boundary along Jasper, Grange and South roads, which meant that the majority of the community in Caulfield and St Kilda East were served by the eruv.

However, congregants at Moorabbin and Carnegie shuls and Bentleigh Chabad were unable to carry outside over Shabbat because of the damage caused by the roadworks.
Advice to the community was circulated via shul offices and communal email networks
According to eruv administrators Melbourne Eruv, last Shabbat’s rare incident showed the community that the all-important boundary cannot be taken for granted.
At the time of going to press, it was not yet clear as to whether the problem would be resolved in time for the coming Shabbat, although eruv administrators promised every effort would be made to ensure that the full boundary is operative.

An eruv is a boundary made of a connection of wires and posts in public places and allows Orthodox Jews to carry children and belongings outside during Shabbat — an action usually prohibited on the holy day. Melbourne’s eruv takes in most of the areas of Caulfield, St Kilda, Elwood, Brighton, Moorabbin, Carnegie and Bentleigh, with a full map available on the Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Victoria’s website.

Enquiries about the kashrut of the eruv can be made via www.cosv.org.au or 1900 911 817.

AJN STAFF