HALACHA HOW-TO

When the eruv is down...

Here are some things to think about in preparation for Shabbat when the eruv is down:

(1)Strollers may not be used in the absence of an eruv.
There is no way, unfortunately, to transport children who cannot walk on their own. (This is, of course, the biggest reason that the community has built the eruv to begin with).

(2) Like any other object, keys as well cannot be carried in our pockets when there is no eruv (*see #4 below). The same holds true for books, tissues, reading glasses, etc. YOU MAY WEAR A TALLIT TO SHUL, BUT YOU MAY NOT CARRY IT TO SHUL.

(3) If you have a need to bring someone to shul by wheelchair, please give me a call, and we can discuss the details of this question.

(4) Your backyard, if enclosed on all four sides is a "private domain" and does not need another additional eruv. Keys can be placed under a back doormat, for example. In addition, you can place your key under your front doormat, as long as after you open the door, YOU RETURN THE KEY TO WHERE IT
WAS, rather than bring it inside the house.