Yeshiva University Observer

The Beren campus has been included within the boundaries of a new eruv erected in Manhattan earlier this summer, an endeavor involving a host of Yeshiva University administrators and rabbis.

The project, which was largely funded by SCW’s Office of the Dean, required much complicated construction and was closely monitored to ensure that it was built according to the highest standards of halakha. The initiative is expected to drastically improve the quality of Shabbatot on campus, as carrying will now be permitted in the vicinity.

Efforts to erect the eruv were initiated two years ago by Rabbi Yaakov Kermaier of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue, in conjunction with Machon L'horaa, led by Rabbi Shraga Klien of Monsey, who will inspect it on a weekly basis.  

"This eruv is very significant because of its size and the tremendous areas that are included,” explained Rabbi Gideon Shloush, leader of the neighboring Congregation Adereth El, a shul frequently attended by SCW students. “Our eruv is really an extension of the one that has been on the Upper West Side for over a decade.”

According to Rabbi Shloush, the eruv crosses Central Park, encompassing both the Upper East and Upper West Sides, while stretching southwards, from 56^th Street to Houston. In the lower regions, the eruv extends only eastward, from one side of 6^th Avenue to the FDR Drive, with the exception of the United Nations complex. The Lower East Side was not included within the perimeters, out of deference to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, a celebrated denizen of the area who had historically opposed the construction of an eruv in Manhattan.

Rabbi Yosef Blau, mashgiach ruchani (spiritual advisor) of Yeshiva College, clarified that in supporting the eruv, YU was not overriding Rabbi Feinstein’s position as articulated in his well-known teshuva (halakhic response). Rabbi Blau explained that the teshuva was widely misunderstood, since Rabbi Feinstein was referring to the halakhic impossibility of building an eruv encompassing the entire island of Manhattan. He was of the opinion that because of all of the waterways, highways, bridges and tunnels that connect Manhattan with the surrounding areas, the island must always be considered reshut harabim (public domain), even if some sort of enclosure was created. Therefore, an effective eruv around the whole expanse could not exist. He added, however, that an eruv encircling an individual area is permitted, as evidenced by the presence of local eruvs around nearly every Jewish neighborhood in Manhattan.

Rabbi Blau also pointed out that it is a positive commandment to build an eruv. “The Gemara Yerushalmi states that [an] eruv is very positive. It gets people together and encourages achdus (unity) within our communities,” he commented. “The Gemara Bavli states that we should follow the lenient opinions to build an eruv because of all the good as a result of it.”

Hillel Davis, vice president of University Life, expressed his excitement regarding the new development. “Even from the one Shabbos I spent at Beren last year, there is no question in my mind that the opportunity to build community is much enhanced [through the eruv],” he said. He added that it will be useful for “things like carrying seforim (books) to learn or to read, and contact and interactions between women in different dorms.”

In addition to the tremendous advantage it provides to the students, the eruv has also opened the door to improved Shabbat programming. In the past, guests and speakers who were invited to the Beren campus for Shabbat often could not attend because of their small children who required strollers. “As far as future plans, I think the most exciting news is that the Office of Student Affairs, which has been looking for a Shabbat rabbi for Beren, has finally been successful,” Davis pointed out, “partly because in speaking with people, accommodating a family with young children has been part of the issue.”          

SCW Dean Karen Bacon emphasized this point as well. “Over the years I had become increasingly sensitive to the fact that without a local eruv, certain guests with young children felt unable to join us on campus for Shabbos. The undergraduate men of YU who came to Beren for Shabbos were unable to take things with them from building to building, and, of course, our own students were limited in the absence of a local eruv.”

Zelda Braun, associate dean of Student Affairs, also related her enthusiasm regarding the eruv. “We have hired a Rabbi, who will be living here on campus full time with his young family and will be the Shabbat rabbi,” she disclosed. “The eruv has really opened up new opportunities for us.”

Dean Braun also described how the eruv will enhance the diversity of the Midtown Jewish community and Congregation Adereth-El on East 29^th Street. “This important addition will open up the community to young couples with children and have an effect on the Stern community as well,” she explained. “Students will feel more comfortable remaining here for our extensive Shabbat programming. One major improvement will be our students’ ability to carry their keys and lock their dorm rooms, which had previously been one of the difficulties in remaining on campus for Shabbat.”

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