Table of Contents:

(Last Updated: December 2006)

Introduction:

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The Sabbath (Shabbat) has been endowed by G-d (Hashem) with a special sanctity (Kedusha). To facilitate an individual's ability to experience the holiness and delight of Shabbat, the Torah requires that a foundation of observance be established by refraining from certain activities (melachot). To this foundation, a Jew adds action commandments (mitzvot), such as engaging in prayer and Torah study, eating festive meals and reciting Kiddush, which complete the Shabbat celebration.

One of the thirty nine melachot mentioned in the Torah is hotza'ah, which prohibits carrying or transferring items in all areas except private domains which are properly enclosed or delineated by an Eruv.

It is the purpose of this Guide to outline the correct use of the Paramus * Oradell * River Edge ERUV which has been established to enhance our Shabbat observance.

Why do we have an Eruv?

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As briefly mentioned in the Introduction, the Torah prohibits one to transfer (i.e., carry, throw, push, etc.) an object from a private domain to a public domain and vice versa. The transfer of an object from one point in a public domain to another point in the same public domain a distance of approximately seven feet (four amos) or more is similarly proscribed. The laws of Shabbat also prohibit the transfer of items from one private domain to another private domain.

"Private domain" is defined as an area enclosed by walls, fences, or a series of doorframe-like structures (as used in an Eruv) not less than approximately 38-40 inches high (ten tefachim). "Public domain" is defined as an area not enclosed by partitions, even if title would legally deem it private property.

Some areas are deemed "public domain" by the decree of our Sages of Blessed Memory; others are designated "public domain" by Torah law. Biblically ordained "public domains" cannot be included in an Eruv. Areas considered a "public domain" by rabbinic guidelines can be converted to a "private domain" by the establishment of an Eruv, and the activities formerly restricted, as mentioned above, would be permitted.

What is an Eruv?

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An Eruv is an instrument of Jewish Law (halacha) for converting multiple private domains into a single private domain. The word Eruv is derived from the verb to mix or blend, since an Eruv blends many properties into a single private domain.

To achieve this process, the right of passage is rented from the municipalities and right-of-way providers comprising the boundaries of the Eruv. In colloquial usage, an Eruv most often refers to the barriers or “doorframes” enclosing an area, thereby converting it from a “public domain” into a “private domain”.

The following agencies have granted us permission to build the Eruv and/or right of passage: the Boroughs of Paramus, Oradell and River Edge; and, The N.J. Turnpike Authority, the Bergen County Department of Parks, and The N.J. Bell Telephone Company (now, Verizon). A perimeter (see Eruv Map) has been constructed consisting of natural barriers, walls, and/or a series of gate-like structures comprised of telephone poles and cables.

The Paramus * Oradell * River Edge ERUV consists of approximately nine miles of interconnected telephone poles, chain link fence, wires and string.

Permitted Eruv Activities and Forbidden Eruv Activities

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The primary purpose of the Eruv is to enable one to carry small necessities such as a book, tallis, food, handkerchief, keys and the like, and to wheel a baby carriage within the designated area.

EVEN WITHIN A VALID ERUV, SOME ARTICLES MAY NOT BE CARRIED ON SHABBAT (OR YOM TOV).

Articles, which are muktzah, may not be carried, moved or handled on Shabbat even within the Eruv area.

Muktzah may be defined as articles whose use is connected with a forbidden activity - e.g., writing materials, money, handbags and pocketbooks, tools, etc.; or articles set aside before Shabbat because they are not normally used on Shabbat - e.g., Tefillin; or articles that cannot be used in their present state - e.g., frozen or uncooked meats; or objects on which a muktzah article rests.

Umbrellas may not be used anywhere on Shabbat (or Yom Tov) since their use is considered tent making. They may, therefore, not be used within the Eruv area.

Adults or children are not permitted to ride bicycles or scooters on Shabbat (or Yom Tov) even within the Eruv area.

Ball playing (basketball, soccer, baseball, catch, etc.) is regarded as a weekday activity (maaseh chol) and is, therefore, prohibited even within the Eruv area. However, it may be permitted in a limited form, for young children, in the privacy of one's backyard. Ball playing in public playgrounds is forbidden on Shabbat (and Yom Tov).

One may not enter a store even within the Eruv area, or pick up merchandise even if arranged before Shabbat. On Shabbat (or Yom Tov), letters may not be mailed and newspapers should not be collected into the home even within the Eruv.

Carrying or dragging large or heavy packages is not permitted even within the Eruv area.

Preparations for after Shabbat (e.g., carrying chairs to a neighbors house for a Saturday evening party) are not permitted even within the Eruv area.

Gifts (e.g., to a Shabbat host) should not be brought on Shabbat, even within the Eruv. However, if you choose to participate in a meal by providing a side dish or dessert, these items must be completely usable on Shabbat (e.g., food needing no further preparation). Wrappings, if any, should not be sealed.

Some important precautions:

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1. Care should be taken not to carry articles across the Eruv perimeter, i.e., from within the Eruv area to any point outside it or vice versa.

WHEREVER POSSIBLE, ONE SHOULD AVOID WALKING ALONG THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ERUV.

2. Great care should be taken to explain to children that one could carry items in streets, parks, etc. on Shabbat, only within an Eruv. When visiting friends in our community who live outside our Eruv area, or when visiting friends in other communities where there is no Eruv, no confusion should exist regarding the prohibition of carrying lest a Shabbat violation occur.

ADULTS SHOULD ASK A MEMBER OF THE ERUV COMMITTEE IN THE COMMUNITY THEY WILL BE IN FOR SHABBAT, EVEN WHEN STAYING AT HOME, ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE ERUV. PARENTS SHOULD TRAIN THEIR CHILDREN TO ASK EACH FRIDAY WHETHER THE ERUV IS OPERATIONAL.

3. Parents are reminded that children should develop a sense of reverence for the synagogue (shul) and the worship service (davening). Parents are responsible to insure that their children do not disturb the davening of others. Parents of infants should use their discretion to decide the duration of each visit to shul with their child(ren). We take pride in our youth and look forward to the maturation of children who feel comfortable in shul and are knowledgeable about its practices.

4. SHOULD A MAJOR STORM OCCUR ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON OR ON SHABBAT, ONE SHOULD ASSUME THE ERUV IS NOT FUNCTIONING.

What happens if you notice a problem with the Eruv?

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If you notice a potential problem with the Eruv during a weekday, please notify a member of The Eruv Committee as soon as possible.

IF YOU NOTICE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE ERUV ON SHABBAT, PLEASE NOTIFY THE RABBI AT ONCE. DO NOT MAKE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Those who are aware of a problem, which invalidates the Eruv, may not carry or perform any forbidden activities enumerated above.

Checking the Eruv and Notifications:

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Each week a portion of the perimeter of the Eruv will be checked to verify that no break has occurred. A single break (e.g., a wire down, an Eruv post [lechi] damaged) could invalidate the entire Eruv. New telephony and communications technologies being installed in our community require increased diligence in inspection, and demand inspection & repair on a regular basis. The Eruv Committee maintains documentation of all inspections, damage and repairs.

Congregation KAJ of Paramus maintains a green light that will be turned on when the Eruv is operational. This light is located to the left of the shul's main entrance and is visible from the street. Upon completion of each week's inspections, usually by Thursday evening, the green light will be turned on. On Saturday night the light will again be turned off.

In addition, The Eruv Committee will call Congregation KAJ of Paramus & Congregation Beth Tefillah with a status of the Eruv appropriate for Friday evening announcements.

IF, FOR ANY REASON, THE ABOVE NOTIFICATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE ERUV. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTIFIED, THE ERUV SHOULD NOT BE USED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Eruv Boundaries:

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(A) The Northern Boundary.

The Eruv begins on the south side of Oradell Avenue at the Garden State Parkway exit ramp fence (1). The Eruv runs east on Oradell Avenue to Forest Avenue (2). Only the southern sidewalk is within the Eruv; the northern sidewalk and the street are not within the Eruv.

The Eruv then turns south running along the eastern sidewalk of Forest Avenue. This sidewalk is not within the Eruv although Forest Avenue and the western sidewalk are within the Eruv.

The Eruv continues south on Forest Avenue to Ridgewood Avenue (3) where it turns east running along the southern sidewalk. This southern sidewalk, where it exists, is within the Eruv. Ridgewood Avenue and the northern sidewalk are not within the Eruv.

(B) The Eastern Boundary.

At Kinderkamack Road (4) the Eruv turns south continuing along the eastern sidewalk; this sidewalk is not within the Eruv. The Eruv crosses Kinderkamack Road at the north service road of the Lake Avenue shopping strip, travels behind the stores and along the western sidewalk. At New Milford Avenue the Eruv zigzags east, west and continues along the eastern sidewalk to River Edge Road. Kinderkamack Road and the western sidewalk below New Milford Avenue are within the Eruv.

At River Edge Road the Eruv crosses over and continues along the western sidewalk of Kinderkamack Road; this sidewalk is within the Eruv. The Eruv continues south to the south side of Continental Avenue (5) where it turns west.

The Eruv continues west along the southern side of Continental Avenue. Until Park Avenue, the northern sidewalk and Continental Avenue itself are within the Eruv; the southern sidewalk is not. West of Park Avenue the Eruv crosses Continental Avenue and continues along the northern sidewalk. At this point only the northern sidewalk of Continental Avenue is within the Eruv.

At Spring Valley Road (6) the Eruv turns south running along the eastern sidewalk, which is not within the Eruv, interconnects to fences along Van Saun Park just north of University Way, and reappears along the eastern sidewalk of Forest Avenue (7) just below University Way. University Way is in the Eruv. The eastern sidewalk below University Way is not in the Eruv. Van Saun Park is not in the Eruv.

The Eruv continues down the eastern sidewalk of Forest Avenue to Howland Avenue (8). Justin Court is in the Eruv.

(C) The Southern Boundary.

At Howland Avenue, the Eruv runs west along the northern side of the street. Only the north sidewalk is within the Eruv.

At Spring Valley Road (9) the Eruv turns north and runs a short distance along the eastern sidewalk (which is not in the Eruv) until turning west on Century Road (10). Here, only the northern sidewalk is in the Eruv. The Eruv continues west along the northern side of Century Road until it reaches Route 17 (11).

(D) The Western Boundary.

At Century Road, the Eruv travels north on the eastern side of Route 17 along the fence system at the rear perimeter of the commercial buildings. The highway itself and its hotels/motels are not in the Eruv.

Just beyond the Paramus Towne Square shopping center, the Eruv continues north, via a series of fences along the northbound Garden State Parkway and behind residential homes adjacent to the Parkway, until it reaches Midland Avenue (12). The Eruv now reconnects to telephone poles on the southern side of Midland Avenue and travels a short distance west to the Midland Avenue bridge, where it crosses to the northern side of the street and again reconnects to a fence system. The sidewalks along Midland Avenue west of Acorn Drive should not be used.

From Midland Avenue, the Eruv now travels north along fences separating the Garden State Parkway from residential and public property (Bergen County Mosquito Commission, Bergen Regional Medical Center and the N.J. Veteran's Home) until it again reaches Oradell Avenue (1), completing the circuit.

Acknowledgements:

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The completion of the original Eruv was coordinated by Eruv Chairpersons Freddie Sufian and Janice Osdoby, and by Rabbi Benjamin Yasgur. During, and at the completion of construction, Rabbi Shimon Eider was consulted and visited Paramus. An Eruv booklet was published, and dated: December 1990 - Kislev 5751.

Rabbi Mordechai Kuber, Rabi Meir Levi, Rabbi Avraham Kanarek, and Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky spent extensive time reviewing the Eruv, during their tenures in Paramus. In addition, The Eruv Committee had, over the years, included the following lay members: Sam & Jonathan Lichter, Stuart Mirowitz, Naftoli Nussbaum, Steve Paley, Jon Rothschild, Joel Stein, and Larry Wenzel.

In the summer of 2006, a major restoration and upgrade of the Eruv was completed, with the efforts of Rabbi Yisroel Teichman and Eruv Committee member, Howard Gans. A booklet was republished in December 2006.

The community thanks all those mentioned above for their tireless efforts and acknowledges their dedicated work.

In addition to the initial construction fees for the Eruv, a fund raising drive for the recent repairs & improvements has just been completed. Annual maintenance expenses are also necessary to insure upkeep. We thank all those who have generously supported this project and encourage members of the community to continue to contribute to their respective shul for this purpose.

May the Paramus * Oradell * River Edge ERUV enhance our Shabbat observance and increase our performance of mitzvot.

Disclaimer:

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The information in this guide is accurate as of the date of publication. As boundaries may be revised in the future, the reader is advised to verify that this guide is current. The Eruv Committee will insure that this website (www.kajp.org) contains the latest version of the Eruv Guide. Printed versions of this guide are for information purposes only and should be verified with the online version prior to use. The Eruv Committee may be contacted by email (see Contacts section of this website) or by your Rabbi. See Table of Contents for recent date stamp.

ALERTS !!

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