Congregation Ohav Sholom
Merrick Eruv
(Goto Map)
The purpose of a community eruv is to allow the carrying of permitted items on Shabbos.
According to halacha (Jewish law), the carrying or moving of objects in a public domain on Shabbos is forbidden. This includes a prohibition of carrying even on one's own lawn or driveway unless it is enclosed by a proper mechitza or eruv.
Since the area within an eruv is halachically considered a private domain, objects that are permissible to be carried in one's home on Shabbos may also be transported within the boundaries of the eruv. The existence of an eruv does not permit the carrying of items which are muktza (forbidden to be handled on Shabbos), such as money, wallets, pocketbooks, umbrellas, pens, pencils, and tools. In addition, it is not permitted to carry an item, even if not muktza, which is not needed for Shabbos. For example, an item may not be transported on Shabbos so that it may be used after Shabbos.
The presence of an eruv does not permit activities which are prohibited on Shabbos, such as bicycle riding or roller skating. Since business is not permitted on Shabbos, business items may not be picked up or delivered, carrying to or from or within offices or stores is prohibited, and items may not be mailed.
The following steps may serve as a simple guide to the use of the eruv:
- The item to be transported must be permissible.
- The item must be necessary for Shabbos rather than for another time.
- The route taken must be entirely within the eruv.
Please remember that the boundaries of the eruv are very specific; therefore, it is best to assume that the streets on the boundary lines are not within the eruv. Please ask a member of the Association if you have any questions about the boundaries.
The eruv consists of two sections, the main eruv and the Shore Drive extension. (Please note: the Shore Drive extension is not currently functioning)
Note: The section of the Eruv south of Cammans Pond and west of Shore Drive is not currently functioning. The map below should be followed until the Shore Drive Extension is fixed.
