What is an Eruv?
An Eruv is a virtual, symbolic boundary around a given area. The word Eruv means “joined” and indicates that from the point of view of Jewish law, the inhabitants within the boundary of the Eruv are seen as joined together like one family. With this in place, Jews, who ordinarily are not allowed by Jewish tradition to carry objects or push strollers outside on the Sabbath, are allowed to do so.
What are the boundaries of the Eruv?
The boundary is The Boulevard to Lansdowne, to Westmount, to Claremont, to the fence behind St. Catherine, to the alley behind Columbia, to Dorchester, to Clarke, to Sherbrooke, to Mountain, to The Boulevard. On each of these boundary streets, the actual line of the Eruv may switch from one side of the street to the other. It is best to assume that the boundary streets are outside the Eruv, unless you have verified the exact route with Rabbi Adam Scheier (ras@theshaar.org). It is possible there may be minor changes to this route.
How were these boundaries chosen?
We need a route that is lined by the type of existing utility poles that we can connect with a very thin line. We also want to include most of the residents who will benefit by being inside the Eruv.
Is the Eruv functional for this Shabbat?
The Eruv is fully checked every Friday. You can confirm that the Eruv is in effect by calling the Shaar Hashomayim Eruv Hotline, 514-937-9474 x 109 or by checking the home page of this website.
Why is it necessary to check the status of the Eruv each Friday before using it on Shabbat?
Using the Eruv involves the laws regarding assumptions. Because many things can happen to invalidate the Eruv and thus, frequent repairs are necessary, we must determine when the Eruv can be assumed to be in operation. For this reason the Eruv is checked every Friday morning. Once that inspection has been successfully completed, the Eruv hotline and website notification is set for that Shabbat. To ascertain that the Eruv is in operation on a given Shabbat, you must call the Eruv hotline 514-937-9474 x 109, or check the website on Friday. Sometimes repairs are being made until close to Shabbat. You cannot rely on the Eruv each week just because it was up the previous week. It is best to get in the habit of checking the Eruv status just before each Shabbat.
Once you hear that the Eruv is up for a given Shabbat, you may assume that the Eruv will remain intact all Shabbat long. Our experience has been that the Eruv is quite durable - even medium strength windstorms, snowstorms, or thunderstorms rarely cause damage to the Eruv. But, in the event of unusual conditions where tree limbs are felled, the assumption that the Eruv is intact may be void. Nonetheless, you should be very hesitant to conclude that the Eruv has gone down. Even if you see something that appears to call the Eruv into question, it may not necessarily be a problem since many places along the Eruv perimeter have backups built into the system. In such a case, you should contact your rabbi.
Inevitably, from time to time the Eruv will be down. Although all possible attempts will be made to have the Eruv functional every week, you should always make contingency arrangements when planning anything on Shabbat that relies on the Eruv.
What happens if I see a wire of the Eruv down?
What does an Eruv allow me to do on Shabbat?
In practical terms it means we may carry items on Shabbat within the Eruv, which enhance the Sabbath spirit, such as food and reading material or to push a baby carriage or wheelchair.
Having an Eruv only relates to the laws of carrying. All other laws of Shabbat still apply. It must be emphasized that Muktzah (items which do not have a Shabbat purpose, and may not be moved on Shabbat) may not be moved or used even with an Eruv. Such items include umbrellas, wallets, and purses. Also, any action done on Shabbat to prepare for after Shabbat is prohibited. Furthermore, some pastimes may still be prohibited, such as ball playing, bicycle riding, etc. Concerning these issues, please consult Rabbi Scheier.
There is another vital, though subtle, aspect of Shabbat observance that must be remembered - maintaining the atmosphere of Shabbat. Shabbat is a day of sanctity - a day of spiritual transcendence. With an Eruv there are many activities that may not fall into any specific prohibition other than destroying the holiness of Shabbat. The purpose of an Eruv is not to make Shabbat more mundane, but to make Shabbat more sanctified.
I live on the border of the Eruv. Can I use the Eruv?
You can contact Rabbi Scheier (ras@theshaar.org) to see if you are inside, or can be patched into the Eruv.
I live just outside the border of the Eruv. Can the Eruv be extended to include me?
You can contact Rabbi Scheier (ras@theshaar.org) to see if this is possible.
What does the Eruv look like?
The Eruv is created by a very thin line connected to the top of light poles along the Eruv route and is barely noticeable to passers-by.
Will the Eruv hurt birds?
The City of Westmount has consulted with a noted expert who has reviewed the proposal and given his input to minimize any risk to birds. In other locations an Eruv has been questioned on environmental grounds, and has been found to present no environmental difficulties to birds or other wildlife.
Will the Eruv hurt trees?
The Eruv will not result in any harm to trees. No trees will be removed because of the Eruv.
Has the Eruv been tested to make sure it is safe?
Yes. There is a test section that has been in place for several months that has endured the extremes of Quebec’s seasons with no ill effect.
Who is paying the costs of the Eruv?
All costs related to the setting up, maintenance, and insurance of the Eruv will be covered by Congregation Shaar Hashomayim.
Which rabbinic authority supervises the Shaar Hashomayim Eruv?
Rabbi Michael Whitman is our Eruv Specialist. Rabbi Whitman is the rabbi of Adath Israel (www.adath.ca) in Hampstead, Quebec.
Who is responsible for the construction of the Eruv?
The Eruv is constructed and maintained by a private contractor, who is licensed and bonded to do this work. The contractor has been approved by the City of Westrmount and Hydro Westmount, and, in fact, has worked in Westmount on other projects.
Is the Eruv legal?
Yes. The Eruv conforms will all legal requirements of The City of Westmount, Quebec, and Canada.
Has the Eruv been approved by The City of Westmount?
Yes. The City of Westmount has approved a request by Congregation Shaar Hashomayim to create a symbolic domain known in Hebrew as an Eruv.
I don’t like living within an Eruv. What can I do about it?
The Eruv will be barely noticeable to passers-by, and will have no impact on the rights and welfare of other Westmount residents. There is no consequence to living within the boundary of the Eruv. It is completely transparent, and virtually invisible.
Are there other places that have an Eruv?
Eruvs have been established in cities with Jewish communities for centuries. Hundreds of communities around the world have an Eruv today. Canadian cities with an Eruv include Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. On the island of Montreal, Eruvs have been established in Cote St-Luc and Hampstead, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Ville St. Laurent, Ville Mont Royal, Cote-des-Neiges and Mile End.
Where can I get more information about Eruv?
