Eruv Failure Guidelines

Carrying is Permitted Only In Enclosed Private Areas

A house or yard that has four walls and no opening more than fifteen feet wide is valid if the opening is straight and the wall space is more than the opening space.

An opening with a door frame may be more than fifteen feet.

A wall or fence must be at least thirty eight inches high. The bottom of the wall or fence may be no more than nine inches above ground.

An open area not enclosed by a wall or fence may be enclosed by poles and strings. These may be installed only under the guidance of a Rav well-versed in Hilchos Eruvin.

Areas Of Common Property

With the general Eruv out of commission, the Eruv Chatzeros of the Eruv Council is not valid. Even with proper enclosures, in any property shared by more than one family, Eruv Chatzeros is required to carry in common areas such as hallways of condominiums or from one apartment to another. The procedure is found in most Siddurim and Machzorim. The bread or Matzah should be held in one apartment.

Renting of property from non-Jews or non-Shabbos observers in areas ordinarily served by the Eruv is not necessary. The Eruv Council has already negotiated the proper transaction.

Outside Of Properly Enclosed Areas

No objects may be carried, no matter how lightweight or how necessary they might be. Keys, tissues, candies, eyeglasses, a Tallis, a Siddur, etc. are prohibited. Children of any age may not be carried, neither in arms or in a carriage. Wheel chairs may not be pushed. A Rav should be consulted regarding a non-Jew pushing a wheeled conveyance.

A cane or a crutch is permissible only to one for whom it is impossible to walk otherwise. (Umbrellas may not be used even within an enclosed areas, even within an Eruv.)

Clothing and jewelry may be worn in a normal fashion. A wrist watch that is worn as an object of jewelry may be worn outside of an Eruv. A key fashioned into an article of jewelry or a belt buckle may be worn if instructed how to make it by a competent Rabbinic authority.

Under all circumstances, even in calm weather, do not assume that the Eruv is valid. Sign up to the Eruv Alerts group or call the Eruv hotline in your city to determine the status of your Eruv.