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June 5, 1962

Minutes of Midtown Rabbis re: Eruv - Meeting 1 (1962)

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Memorandum Concerning the Eruv (1962)

This past Tuesday, I heard that the Agudath Harabbanim had planned a meeting for Wednesday in which they were to discuss the Eruv. Rabbi Jung, Rabbi Lookstein and I contacted a number of people in order to ward off any unpleasant possibilities. Rabbi Jung spoke to Rabbi Kotler and informed him that any adverse decision by the Agudath Harobbanim would stand to benefit only the Conservative and Reformed. Rabbi Kotler's reaction was not quite clear to Rabbi Jung. Rabbi Lookstein spoke to R. Henkin who seemed to waiver back and forth. Mr. Finkelstein had...Mr. Finkelstein had R. Perotinsky speak to R. Henkin, who agreed to the publication of his announced decision, but wanted to add the fact in print that in view of the Agudath Harobbanim’s position against the Eruv,he would not take the responsibility upon himself. When R. Perotinsky informed R, Henkin that it was too late for any such additions, he seemed to agree that we should go ahead as is. I called R. Feinstein. He emphasized that he was not one of the "matirim," but when I pressed him closely far his views, he replied that whereas he was not one of those mentioned, he was also not #to be counted amongst the "os^rim." He maintained that he stands by his written decision, to wit, that whereas he cannot participate in the commission, those who do pennit the Eruv have sufficient grounds on which to thatbase their decision, and /^ therefore they can be relied upon, except that a "ba/al nefeh” should assume additional restrictions upon himself. He clearly and directly told me that he would not sig! any announcement of "issur.”On Wednesday morning I called Moe Feuerstein in Malbin asking him to intervene with R. Kutler, i.e. not to come to the meeting. He told ne that Samson R. Weiss had more influence on R. Kutler. Dr. Weiss called R. Kutler and informed me that R. Kutler would want, or a delegation of those on our side, to appear and present Aour arguments. When I called R. Cohen of the Agudath Harobbanim asking th…
Eruv

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Minutes of Midtown Rabbis re: Eruv - Meeting 3 (1965)

A meeting of the Mid-Manhattan Rabbis’ Group was held at the Zichron Ephraim Congregation on February 16, 1965, at 3 p.m. Those present were Rabbis Gettinger, Jakobovits, Lamm, Langer, and Schneier (presiding). Regarding the eruv, Rabbi Lamm read a letter from Rabbi Kasher urging the group to decide on generous terms of payment to the three mashgichim and suggesting the sum of $1,600 per annum as a minimum commitment to be undertaken. It was decided to reconfirm our earlier decision to disburse $2,000 to the three mashgichim for the current year, $1,200 to two mashgichim for the following year, and to review the matter thereafter. Rabbi Gettinger urged that we use the present situation for a quiet campaign to enlist the personal support of other local rabbis with a view to eventually establishing the eruv publicly on a proper communal basis, and it was suggested to ask one of the mashgichim to devote himself to this task. Rabbi Lamm reported on a series of irregularities that had recently occurred at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, and it was decided to ask one or more directors to meet with the group at its next meeting for the purpose of securing adequate arrangements to safeguard all halakhic requirements in the future. On the suggestion of Rabbi Lamm, Rabbi Schneier undertook to draft a “checklist” for our use in making funeral arrangements and advising mourners on the requisite preparations. In a brief discussion on the mikvah project, Rabbi Schneier stated that he had committed himself to a contribution of $5,000 and that he would make every effort to remit at least part of this pledge in the near future. A report on a recent meeting of the R.C.A. Kashruth Committee regarding Grossinger’s was given by Rabbi Lamm. The arrangements were satisfactory at the moment, and plans to change them had been tabled pending new recommendations to be made by the R.C.A. officers within the next few months. Regarding the sad and sudden passing of our colleague, Rabbi Robert Se…
Eruv

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Minutes of Midtown Rabbis re: Eruv - Meeting 2 (1964)

Present at the meeting: Rabbi Jung presiding; Rabbis Adams, Gettinger, Jakobovits, Langer, Lookstein, Reichel, Serebrenik, Schneier, and Lamm. Guest: Rabbi Kasher. The meeting was devoted completely to the eruv problem. Rabbi Kasher presented a résumé of the history of eruv and asked us to decide one way or the other, since continuation of the present situation may prove to be detrimental to Shabbat rather than helpful – the eruv may lapse and certain people may continue to carry. Rabbi Jakobovits maintained that our objections were not halakhic. The question is whether or not to publicize the eruv. The Agudath Harabbanim has never given us its answer after our meeting quite some time ago. There are no older rabbis – acknowledged authorities – who live in the area affected by the eruv and who are willing to publicly commit themselves to it. Rabbi Langer agreed with this analysis. Both felt that the controversy occasioned by the proclamation of the eruv would nullify any benefits that might derive from it. Rabbi Kasher replied that there is no need for wide publicity. It is sufficient to accept the advice of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and institute the eruv quietly. However, we must make sure to establish firmly the board of mashgichim and promise to provide for it. Rabbi Lookstein urged a public declaration of the eruv. He maintained that since it was halakhically feasible, we ought not consider any other elements. Rabbi Jung and Rabbi Lamm similarly pleaded for a public announcement of the eruv despite the risk of controversy. Rabbi Adams emphasized that the major problem was one of continuity – i.e., that of paying for the mashgichim in the future after enthusiasm has waned. We need, he said, a foundation of $25,000 in perpetuity, its income to be used for paying the mashgichim plus other expenses. He expressed a readiness to raise $5,000 toward this foundation. Rabbi Lookstein said he preferred that the congregations undertake a certain stipend to be paid every year…
Eruv