Dear Immanuel: Now that the Eruv is a fact, and the proposition is just beginning to warm up, I would recommend that the plan you previously suggested be put in effect – i.e., that you devote a good part of your column in ‘Tradition’ to the problem. As you know, much of the material has been published in Noam, in various volumes, in Hapardes, and a special book by Rabbi Moskowitz. I am enclosing a talk I gave last Shabbat Hagadol which dealt with the problem of the Eruv. You may find some points of interest, particularly a brief summary of the historical material and an attempt to avoid certain popular misconceptions which no doubt will arise. I hope it will be of some value, however small, to you. Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMM

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.

When you visited me recently, I stated emphatically that in my opinion an eruv in Manhattan is ossur as indicated in my sefer and as I also signed the psak din of the Agudas Harabonim which assures 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 Therefore, do not cite my name as one upon whom you rely for a heter in this matter.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

Sholom uBrocho: My brother-in-law, Rabbi S. Gourary, informed me yesterday of your desire to know my opinion about the question of an Eiruv for Manhattan. Though, because of the sanctity of Chol Hamoed, my correspondence is generally suspended during these intermediate days, I hasten to convey to you my views, this matter being, as I was told, a "דבר האבוד." As you will surely recall, the matter was raised a few years ago, when I expressed my position, which has not changed. However, since I do not know if you are fully informed of it, I will here reiterate the main points of my viewpoint relative to this matter: Firstly, as a matter of principle, where according to the Din an Eiruv can be instituted, it should be so instituted (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim ch. 395). Secondly, special consideration has to be given to the state of affairs and attitudes in respect of the observance of the Mitzvoth in the present day and age, which has a particular bearing on the problem under discussion. I have in mind the precaution which such an Eiruv calls for under the best of circumstances, and certainly here and now, against the possibility of the Eiruv becoming Posul. In olden days, when there was a close contact between the Jewish community ("the man in the street") and the Beth Din or Rav, the invalidation of the Eiruv, and the consequent resumption of the pre-eiruv state of the prohibition of carrying on Shabbos, could be fairly easily communicated to everyone and no harm was done. Nowadays, unfortunately the position is different. While the institution of the Eiruv would quickly become common knowledge, not only through various media of communication but also by word of mouth, the rescinding of it in case of its invalidation, would only reach those who are in contact with the Rabbinical authorities, or who attend the synagogue regularly, whereas many would remain in ignorance of the changed situation. Moreover, many of those who might get into the habit of carrying on Shabbo…

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

לכבוד האי גברא רבה, הרה״ג פוה״ר מנחם מ. כשר שליט״א. אתו הסליחה על איחור תשובתי, אולם אספת הרבנים של שכונתנו נדחתה לשבוע ימים, ועל כן היה עלי לחכות עד היום בכדי לדווח למע״כ על ההחלטות שנתקבלו. דעת חברינו היתה שאלפיים דולר לשנה הוא יותר מדי ליכולתנו, אולם מכיוון שכבר התחייבנו לסכום זה לשנה ראשונה — זו נשאירה לשנה זו. אבל להבא, קבענו שלשנה השנייה יספיקו שני משגיחים במקום שלושה, דהיינו הרב פושקוביץ והרב פרוסינסקי שליט״א, וכל אחד מהם יקבל סכום של 6000 דולר. כתום זמן זה נתחשב מחדש על כל הענין ונקבע משכורת רגילה וחדירה.אמנם אין זה רחוק ממה שהגיע למע״כ, רק שבעניין המשגיח השלישי לא ראינו שום תועלת בו. אני תקוה שאע״פ שזה לא בדיוק אשר חשב כש״ת — יהיה זה לפי רוחו.ואודות הגעותו לקבל תמיכה לעבודה על התרגום ירושלמי:שוחחתי עם פר' מיכאל ונסיתי להסביר לו נחיצות הענין וכו' וכו', ובסוף־סוף סירב לקבל על עצמו שכר עבודת הסופרים, כפי בקשת מע״כ. אולם הסכים להדפיס כרך אחד מהעבודה אשר יופיע תחת השגחת מע״כ. פר' מיכאל לא הזכיר סכום מיוחד, אולם כבודו יודע כבר בערך כמה זה עולה.הנני חותם בתפילה לרפואת זוגתו היקרה תחי׳ ולשלומו הטוב,בכבוד ובברכה,נחום

Dear Mr. Silverstein: After our conversation this morning regarding payment for April, May, and June of this year to the three Rabbis who supervise the Eruv, I called Rabbi Joseph Lookstein. He is seriously concerned about the manner in which this entire project has been handled until now. As you are aware, there surrounds our Eruv a wall of almost total secrecy. Some of the Rabbis who were the prime movers in creating the Eruv have now backtracked a good deal. Rabbi Lookstein feels that this should be discussed at a meeting of the mid-town Rabbis and a united decision made.At the same time, we feel that all necessary steps should be taken so that the Eruv does not lapse in a few weeks.Kindest personal regards.Sincerely yours,**Irwin Shapiro**

My dear Norman: I received your notice about the Mid-Manhattan Rabbi's meeting for April 6th. I will try to attend. I do, however, want to get something off my chest. The Eruv is either a valid instrument or it is invalid. If it is valid then we ought to proclaim it without fear and without hesitation. If it is invalid then we ought to act accordingly. I find it extremely embarrassing to take advantage of the Eruv and to tell others to do the same. All kinds of questions are asked about other rabbis not cooperating. Furthermore, even the rabbis who were helpful and instrumental in making the Eruv possible indicate by their silence either their timidity or their reluctance.I, therefore, think that it is highly impractical to talk about a fund of any size for the establishment and financing of the supervision of the Eruv. There is a more basic question involved. Are we or are we not in favor of it and are we prepared to act in accordance with our opinion?I have always been cooperative in this as well as in other matters. This time I am going to abstain from participation in the subject of the Eruv until others make up their minds.Very cordially yours,**Joseph H. Lookstein**JHL/twj

לכבוד ידידי הרב ר״ן לאם שליט״א אחדשכ״ט, שיעור זו שלחתי כל הקונטרוסים שנכתבו בעת עיריות במנהטן חוץ מתעם ח״א ששם מבואר ומובא דעת האחרונים בזה אע״פ שהוא בקיצור גדול. ויותר היה נכון לראות ספר אזני יהושע המתקן הראשון מרשת במנהטן. ואודות צורת הנשרים והמנהרות מפורט בספר תד״ן מרודת להכר מסף ״דנט,״ ובדרך כלל בקונטרס ששלח, יש ״מאפ״ מאי מנהטן, אבל בכלל זה יהיה ניגר אח״כ, עם יסכים לעצם התקן ואח״כ יתחיל השאלות באותם פרצה ד׳ במבוא ילחו אחת מד׳

Dear Colleague: At our meeting at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue on November 11, 1965, the undersigned were asked to prepare a proposed Eruv Proclamation which would incorporate all the recommendations of those who met, and which would be issued by the following (in addition to the undersigned): Rabbis Rasner, J. Lookstein, H. Lookstein, Goldstein, Reichel, Jakobovitz, Schneier, and Riskin. We suggest that you study this statement and offer us your comments. After all these years of struggling with the problem, we seem on the verge of a consensus and solution of our dilemma. With the cooperation of all of us, we may yet succeed in a great *Kiddush Hashem*.It was decided at that time too, that our congregations must accept a permanent commitment to finance the Board of *Mashgichim*. It was tentatively proposed to pay about \$2,000.00 a year for this purpose. Whatever is in excess of this sum from the amounts collected will be used for the publication of a volume containing all *responsa* on the subject and whatever other publications appear necessary to explain the *Eruv* to our people and encourage their observance of the Sabbath.We agreed that the enclosed statement would be announced in identical form on the same Saturday, and only from the pulpit. *There is to be no printed announcement or discussion of the subject.*The amounts recommended for each synagogue are as follows:* The Jewish Center – \$500.00* Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun – \$500.00* West Side Institutional Synagogue – \$250.00* Fifth Avenue Synagogue – \$500.00* Congregation Zichron Ephraim – \$250.00* Lincoln Center Synagogue – \$450.00* Congregation Orach Chaim – \$250.00* And if Rabbi Gettinger agrees to join us – the Young Israel – \$250.0As soon as we have your response, we shall call another meeting of our group to finalize matters.**NL/lg**Enc.---**SUGGESTED ERUV PROCLAMATION**The following announcement is authorized by the “Committee for an Eruv in Manhattan” which includes, among others, the R…