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Category: Shabbat & Eruv

Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts Part IV

Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts Part IV

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This is the last of four posts based on a forthcoming monograph by Dr. William Gewirtz that addresses the period of bein hashemashot, the most fundamental area of dispute in the area of zemanim. The previous post summarized the main sections of the monograph; this post summarizes some of the areas of innovation and is followed by concluding observations. Much of what was proposed tacitly made two basic assumptions:  First, both halakhic practice and its conceptualization were influenced by…

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Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts Part III

Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts Part III

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This is the third of four posts, from a draft of a forthcoming monograph by Dr. William Gewirtz that addresses the period of bein hashemashot, the most fundamental area of dispute in the area of zemanim. What is proposed is an astronomically accurate hybrid position between the diametrically opposed conceptual views of the geonim and Rabbeinu Tam. That position justifies, to varying degrees, the practice of countless generations of European Jewry that started Shabbat well after sunset on Friday evening….

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Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts Part II

Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts Part II

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This is the second of a sequence of posts (the first post can be found here), from a draft of a forthcoming monograph by Dr. William Gewirtz that addresses the period of bein hashemashot. Each post briefly summarizes about 20 pages of the monograph and contains 4 – 6 critical pages from that section as well. The monograph addresses the period of bein hashemashot, the most fundamental area of dispute in the area of zemanim. What is proposed is an…

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Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts

Bein hashemashot: A Reevaluation of the Texts

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This is the first of a sequence of posts, from a draft of a forthcoming monograph by Dr. William Gewirtz that addresses the period of bein hashemashot. Each post very briefly summarizes about 20 pages of the monograph containing 4 – 6 critical pages. Those wishing the entire section can download the associated PDF file. The monograph addresses the period of bein hashemashot, the most fundamental area of dispute in the area of zemanim. What is proposed is an astronomically…

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Some Assorted Comments and a Selection from my Memoir, part 2

Some Assorted Comments and a Selection from my Memoir, part 2

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1. In a recent Jewish Action (Summer 2009), p. 21, Elli Fischer writes: Brandeis University has been enclosed by an eruv for thirty years, longer than any other campus not adjacent to an established Jewish community. Since Brandeis is a Jewish institution, the eruv is funded by the university (as opposed to the students). . . . Rabbi David Fine, who graduated from Brandeis in the mid-1980’s, recalls checking the eruv as a student. . . . The first two…

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Snow: A Review of Ha-Noten Sheleg

Snow: A Review of Ha-Noten Sheleg

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Y. Meiselman, Ha-Noten Sheleg, Be-Inyanei ha-Sheleg veha-Kerach be-Halacha, Holon, 2001, 266 pp.With winter approaching, a review of a work devoted to the topic of snow is particularly appropriate. While everyone is familiar with R. Zevin’s discussion of the halachik use of snow in his Le-Or ha-Halacha, R. Zevin only took his discussion so far. Today, we now have a work that is entirely devoted to snow and halacha. This book, which is on Orach Hayyim and volumes on the other…

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Part Five of the “The Eruv in St. Louis”

Part Five of the “The Eruv in St. Louis”

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As previously noted at the Seforim blog, Eruv Online has an excellent series on the history of eruvin controversies. In his most recent offering, he has posted the fifth segment of “History of City Eruvin − The Eruv in St. Louis.” For earlier posts, see 1,2,3,4. On a related topic, see Rabbi Adam Mintz’s earlier post about “The Manhattan Eruv” at the Seforim blog.

History of Eruvin Controversies

History of Eruvin Controversies

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Additionally, a discussion regarding the Gra’s (and his followers) opinion and the underpinnings of that opinion. Including, the rejection of the notion that legal precedent has the power to determine issues of Jewish law. That notion, the lack of binding precedent, is necessary to overturn the long-accepted practice of using 600,000 people to define reshut HaRabbim.

Adam Mintz — The Manhattan Eruv

Adam Mintz — The Manhattan Eruv

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discussed the significant roles of Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Henkin and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in the development of a unique halakhic response to the issue of the mehitzah in the American synagogue, based on a previous lecture delivered as part of his “History of American Poskim” series at Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The following historical and halakhic overview of the issues surrounding the Manhattan eruv is based on Rabbi Mintz’s doctoral dissertation, “The Evolution of…

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Eruv Controversy and Website

Eruv Controversy and Website

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There is an excellent site discussing various issues with eruvin, many of them contemporary (especially in light of the seforim which have been published on the topic in the last couple of years, many dealing with the Brooklyn controversy). Today, he has the second part of his series on the St. Louis eruv controversy which includes a rather fascinating discussion regarding two seforim printed at the turn of the 20th century. Both of those seforim are available online, if one…

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