Q&A: City Eruvs
City Eruvs
Question
Do you rely on the eruvs that exist nowadays, most of which rely on Rashi’s view, which has no source in the Talmud (as I saw in the Meiri), that a public domain is only a thoroughfare through which 600,000 people can pass?
Answer
I do rely on that, if only because we do not have much choice. See a simple overview here: https://www.kipa.co.il/%D7%99%D7%94%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A2/%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8/961217-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%9D-%D7%90%D7%A4%D7%A9%D7%A8-%D7%9C%D7%A1%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%9A-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%91-%D7%91%D7%96%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95/
These things are explained well here: https://ph.yhb.org.il/01-21-09/
Discussion on Answer
I don’t know how you manage. I don’t.
Abroad, people manage without an eruv. Why can’t we?
We can, but it’s complicated, and if there is what to rely on, then there is no reason not to.
Okay, so it’s not because we have no choice; rather, the claim is that since there is a more lenient opinion—even though, to the best of my understanding, it has no source in the Talmud itself—you rule in accordance with it?
But our rabbi taught us that one should not bring pragmatism into the search for truth… If it is permitted, then it is permitted, and if not, then not, without any connection to consequences and benefit.
Pragmatism is not a substantive consideration, but a pragmatic consideration is legitimate when choosing between existing halakhic options. Like a leniency in a time of pressing circumstances.
Rabbi, why do we have no choice? That is, what necessity is there for an eruv? After all, it is possible to manage reasonably well without one.