Establishing the Borders of the Eruv

During the 19th century there was a significant growth in the Jewish population of the Old City. Due to the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, new neighborhoods were constructed outside the Old City walls. The first of these new neighborhoods was Mishkenot Sha'ananim, founded in the late 1850's. These demographic changes raised new halakhic issues for the religious community, such as the location and boundaries of the eruv. An eruv is a designated marker which allows Jews to carry outside their homes on the Sabbath. This broadside is signed by Ben Zion Idler, the individual specifically appointed to deal with the delineation of the borders of the eruv. It is interesting to note that in this broadside the boundaries of the eruv are based on familiar landmarks, in addition to concrete geographical sites.

Date: 4 Av, 5696 (23 July, 1936)

Printing House: Horev

On Jaffa road, from the Sephardic Old Age Home until the end of Nahalat Shivah... and from Rehavia to Kiryat Shmuel, specifically from Azza road (but the route the car takes is outside the eruv). . . From Jaffa road until the end of the building of Hadassah Hospital adjacent to the Duschinsky lumber yard . . . From Batei Ungarn to the new Beit Yisrael, specifically from the gate that is opposite the properties of Shlomo Milner, and through the alleyway that runs between his properties.

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