Letter from R. Feinstein about the Upper West Side Eruv (1964)

At an earlier meeting with Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Lamm and his colleagues had left with the impression that Rav Moshe had given his blessing to the eruv. This subsequent letter, however, suggested otherwise.

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When you visited me recently, I stated emphatically that in my opinion an eruv in Manhattan is osur as indicated in my sefer and as I also signed the p’sak din of the Agudas Harabonim which ahsers this eruv, although I am not in a position to prevent the eruv. Therefore, do not cite my name as one upon whom you rely for a heter in this matter. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

Letter to R. Kasher about Upper West Side Eruv (1962)

לר׳ הרה״ג הרמ״ם כשר שליט״א: בטח כבר הודיע לו הרב פרוטינסקי על מה שהתרחש פה בעניין העורוז מאז עזובו את ארצה"ב. אמנם רבו הפרטים מלספר, ואי״ה כאשר נפגש פא״פ ארחיב את הדיבור. יורשה נא לי למסר למע״כ רק פרטים ספורים בפרשה זו. ראשית, עשיתי את שליחותי כאשר צוה עלי כו׳. העירוב נעשה בביתו של האדמו״ר מקפשניט ע״י הדביונז. כידוע, הרב אייזנשטט המשתט, בגדר כל הירא ורך הלבב. שלשום סדרתי עם הרב אלברג.

Eruv

Letter to R. Jakobovits about Support for the Upper West Side Eruv (1964)

Dear Manno: I talked privately with Rabbi Teitz about the Eruv meeting we had. It seems we made a quite favorable impression. However, he confidentially informed me that it is important to keep up the pressure on several individuals. He talked about it to Rabbi Jung, who arranged for Rabbi Langer to work on Rabbi Feinstein. Rabbi Teitz maintains it is important to keep in contact with Rabbi Kaminetsky as well. None of us really knows him. May we ask you to arrange to meet with him and press our claims? I think if we do this we may have eased the way for the Eruv.Do you think we ought now to speak with Rabbi Steinberg and Berenfeld in anticipation of a successful conclusion to our meeting with the Agudath Harabbonim?Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMM

Eruv

Letter to Haham Gaon about Fundraising for the Upper West Side Eruv (1966)

Dear Solomon: You are away barely a week, and already we miss you! Whom now can I taunt with the threat of recommending him for two chief-rabbinates at once! I am specifically writing to you with regard to the Eruv problem. Jakobovits spoke to Bendheim who maintains that he receives a powerful recommendation from you to the Spanish Portugese Synagogue that they commit themselves to the $500,00, and if you stress that you have studied the issue and fully favor it as is, he thinks it will stand a good chance of success. Jakobovits will be mailing you the information you requested within a day or two. I cannot emphasize to you how very, very important the participation of the Spanish Portugese Synggogue is. Our steps have been dogged with difficulties throughout the enterprise, and I plead with you to throw the full force of your influence and reputation behind the project by the date mentioned above.My fondest regards to Mrs. Gaon from my wife and myself and, once again, our very heartiest Mazal-Tov wishes on your forthcoming "simhah".Cordially yours,Rabbi Norman LammNL/le

Eruv