Jersey Shore Erub
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About the Erub





An Erub for Deal

Deal is a small resort town on the coast of New Jersey. Most of its residents are Jews, the majority of whom are Sephardim of Syrian (Halabi) origin.

The question of erecting an Erub in Deal arose nearly twenty years ago. The Rabbi of Deal, Rabbi Yitzhak Dwek shelita, tackled the problem of finding a way to erect an Erub in accordance with Halachah. Thereby many of Deal's residents, who erroneously carry in the streets on Shabbat, would be saved from violating the holy day.

Some sixteen years ago, Rabbi Dwek, together with two other rabbis of the Deal community, met with the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky zatzal, one of the Torah giants of America. The delegation from Deal presented the many problems and doubts that surrounded the construction of an Erub in Deal, including situations and circumstances particular to the Deal community Rabbi Kaminetsky who led the opposition to an Erub in New York and other big cities, swept away all doubts and ruled unequivocally that an Erub must be erected in Deal.

At the same time, the Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Ovadia Yossef shelita sent a personal letter to the president of the Deal community of the time, the distinguished philanthropist and tireless community worker, Mr. Ralph Tawil, encouraging him to erect the Erub. From then until now, despite all the objections raised before him, the Rishon LeTzion has maintained his position that an Erub must be made in Deal in order to save the public from the sin of carrying on Shabbat. This very year, the Rishon LeTzion wrote a Halachic decision requiring the immediate erection of the Erub. The Rishon LeTzion stated his support for Rabbi Dwek and the community workers and philanthropists, in particular the distinguished Mr. Jack Adjmi, who has accomplished great things for the glorification of Torah, and encouraged them to erect the Erub immediately.

In 1999 the Erub was finally erected. The decision to do so was based on (1) the Halachic decisions cited above and (2) the fact that this was the prevailing custom. It is common knowledge that the city of Haleb, Syria had an Erub which was approved by all its rabbis, even after the community relocated to the new section of the town, where the streets were wider than 16 cubits. Likewise, the custom in the Land of Israel is also to erect Erubim, and many do rely upon them.

The difficult project of erecting a Halachically correct Erub in Deal was carried out by Rabbi Dwek, together with community workers. Many Prominent rabbis gave their written approval. In addition, the local municipalities permitted telephone poles and other city facilities to be used for the Erub.

The actual erecting of the Erub was supervised by Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, the Chief Rabbi of Congregation Agudath Israel of Baltimore, an expert in this field Rabbi Heinemann devoted long hours and made many trips to Deal to undertake this holy task, doing so according to the letter of the law down to its most precise details. Also instrumental and encouraging in the Erub's construction was the Rabbi-Cantor of Deal, Edmund Nahum, and Rabbi Nissim Basala.

This website describes what an Erub is, how it works, and what it Permits. It includes Halachic sources ranging from the earliest to the most modern on the subject of the Erub, as well as letters of approval regarding the Deal Erub in particular.

We hope that no stumbling block will come from our efforts. May we continue to act for the glory of the Torah. Amen.
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