The Rebbe’s Position On An Eruv – Enunciated In A Clear Letter
by CrownHeights.info
The Eruv, or lack thereof, has been a hot topic in Crown Heights for a few years, with proponents and detractors vying for standing through halachic analysis, kuntresim, and arguments on the Rebbe’s view.
So what was the Rebbe’s view on the matter of Eiruvin? As with many things in Halacha, many say its complicated. Yet in a letter addressed to Rabbi Eliyahu Jung on Pesach 5724, the Rebbe addresses the topic of an Eruv in Manhattan, and his concerns over it. The letter, although unsigned due to it being the Yom Tov of Pesach, was published as part of the Archive of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, and available below.
Interestingly, alongside this letter, can also be found a memo regarding a meeting in 1963 between the Rabbis working to permit an Eruv in Manhattan and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the leading halachic authority at the time. In the memo it notes that Rabbi Feinstein was of the opinion that the Eruv in Manhattan was not allowed, but that he would not stand in the way as other Rabbonim were permitting it.
In a telegram a few months later, Rabbi Feinstein doubles down on his opinion, going so far as to not allow his name to be used on a Heter for the Eruv.
Ben
If you have it available, it would be worth publishing the Rebbe’s more recent response to an Eruv in Melbourne, in which, if my memory serves me correctly, he reiterates almost exactly his position in the letter you published here, although in briefer form.
The Rebbe Eruv position explained
In the discussion surrounding the Rebbe’s position on Eruvin, we encounter a troubling trend: some attempt to formulate a sweeping halachic stance from selective responses—or even from shmuos—despite the Rebbe’s explicit guidance not to extrapolate from specific answers to general rulings.
Ironically, they claim to be upholding the Rebbe’s view while dismissing those who question them as going ag