One of the more distressing aspects of Jewish Disunity around the globe is that of "Eruv Wars". While Orthodox or Chareidi shuls and mikvaot are high on the list of "annoyances" to anti-religious Israelies, secular or non-Orthodox Jews (see "Battle of the Mikva"), the most bizarre hostility is towards the "eruv."
The eruv is a framework of wires and poles (though they could be actual walls, or even natural borders) that allows religious Jews to carry on Shabbat. Without it, one cannot carry outside one's home, building or enclosed courtyard -- and it greatly inconveniences the Jewish community (difficult to carry keys, push baby carriages, water bottles, etc.)
In Jerusalem, the eruv wars have been heating up and for the past few weeks, unknown people have been maliciously cutting the eruv on Shabbat -- thereby invalidating it and wrecking havoc for those who want to carry on Shabbat.
YNET reports:
The eruv is a framework of wires and poles (though they could be actual walls, or even natural borders) that allows religious Jews to carry on Shabbat. Without it, one cannot carry outside one's home, building or enclosed courtyard -- and it greatly inconveniences the Jewish community (difficult to carry keys, push baby carriages, water bottles, etc.)
In Jerusalem, the eruv wars have been heating up and for the past few weeks, unknown people have been maliciously cutting the eruv on Shabbat -- thereby invalidating it and wrecking havoc for those who want to carry on Shabbat.
YNET reports:
These altercations [Eruv wars] came after the eruv committee installed more than 200 posts withing a 32 kilometer (20 mile) range on the road leading to the city’s Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.Excuses provided on behalf of the eruv vandals in the Kiryat Hayovel:
In one of these instances, the Kiryat Hayovel neighborhood’s local administration decided to saw off a number of posts placed on the neighborhood streets.
When ultra-Orthodox inhabitants noticed what occurred, a riot ensued and in light of the confrontation which broke out between the sides, the police were called to the scene in an attempt to restore the calm.
As of late, the eruv issue has taken a worrisome turn for the worse. Every Shabbat for the past three weeks, a group of unknowns arrive at the site and cut the eruv’s wires.
This sabotage is caused to the eruv erected by the religious council, the haredi sector and the eruv committee alike.
In certain instances, the unknowns even ignited some of the posts. This eruv vandalization has occurred in numerous Jerusalem neighborhoods including Kiryat Menachem, Armon Hanatziv, Bayit VeGan, Givat Mordechai and Givat Shaul.
The source of the battles is the Kiryat Hayovel neighborhood which is situated above the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.
According to one of the area’s residents, the whole story began two years ago when haredim began placing eruv posts inside the neighborhoods in addition to those already placed by the religious council.
This phenomenon, in his opinion, is very characteristic in haredi neighborhoods but bothersome to Kiryat Hayovel’s secular inhabitants.
“They began placing an eruv which cut the Kiryat Hayovel neighborhood,” said Danny who prefers remaining anonymous in light of threats he has already received.
“In many cases they used an existing fence or house entrances and started welding posts on them. Posts were definitely placed and ruined the view or were sidewalks; causing a real safety hazard.
“We did not know who was installing these posts. They would come at odd hours and when the police were called, they would leave,” said Danny.
According to Danny, the basis for their opposition to placement of eruv posts is first and foremost the illegality of it all especially since the posts are not placed in accordance with neighborhood authorities or backed by necessary legal permits.
“I can’t insert a post anywhere I want. You have to undergo an organized process and not every private body can do whatever they feel like doing,” he said.
In addition the ultra-Orthodox character the neighborhood is getting with the placement of eruv posts is undesired by many inhabitants.
In Danny’s estimation, “an eruv is definitely a haredi symbol and we don’t want an influx of haredim in southwest Jerusalem.
“It is not healthy for them or for us. The eruv equips the neighborhoods for haredim to a certain degree and this immixture with the ultra-Orthodox public only causes unnecessary friction.”
Eruv polls and wires are rather innocuous, unless of course, you're looking for a fight. I remember a chat with Rabbi Brovender a few years ago, when he told me how wonderful it was that one of the first things done when an IDF unit sets up camp, is that they build an eruv.
I'll be the first to say it's a challenge for religious and secular Jews to live in harmony, but cutting down an eruv on Shabbat is about as low as you can get.
I'll be the first to say it's a challenge for religious and secular Jews to live in harmony, but cutting down an eruv on Shabbat is about as low as you can get.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
