After years of legal wrangling, London’s first major "eruv" is expected to become operational this weekend for the first time. International Affairs Correspondent Michael Freund reports that the eruv - a Halakhic (Jewish legal) arrangement by which Jews may carry within a designated zone on the Sabbath - will encompass a 6.5 sq. mile area in the northwest London neighborhoods of Golders Green, Hendon, Finchley and Hampstead Garden Suburb. It is operating under the auspices of the London Beit Din and the United Synagogue, which spent the past 10 years seeking permission from the authorities to erect the eruv.
The eruv will be inspected at the end of each week to determine if it is fully intact. A notice to that effect will be posted on the eruv website in the form of a traffic light, with a green light indicating that it is up and running.
The London Jewish Community notes that the late Eric Fibbens of London played a major role in planning the eruv and having it approved. Within a space of two days shortly before he died, he testified at the Public Inquiry, stood for cross-examination, was taken directly to the hospital as his critical illness worsened, and dreamt a "parable" that was later transcribed and read in court. The parable featured two London citizens, one of whom was gratified that his fence was helping a young Jewish family enjoy the Sabbath at no cost to himself, while the other was enraged that his property was being "polluted with Jewishness." "Wherein lies the evil?" concluded the parable.
The eruv will be inspected at the end of each week to determine if it is fully intact. A notice to that effect will be posted on the eruv website in the form of a traffic light, with a green light indicating that it is up and running.
The London Jewish Community notes that the late Eric Fibbens of London played a major role in planning the eruv and having it approved. Within a space of two days shortly before he died, he testified at the Public Inquiry, stood for cross-examination, was taken directly to the hospital as his critical illness worsened, and dreamt a "parable" that was later transcribed and read in court. The parable featured two London citizens, one of whom was gratified that his fence was helping a young Jewish family enjoy the Sabbath at no cost to himself, while the other was enraged that his property was being "polluted with Jewishness." "Wherein lies the evil?" concluded the parable.