On Friday, January 2, l998, former Rabbi Saul Aranov, officially approved the Eruv for Halifax after his inspection. Rabbi Grunstein further checked the Eruv upon arrival in the city, and with minor adjustments, officially authorized the Eruv in August of 2003.

An Eruv encompasses a designated area around the city. It is established by the use of existing electric wires and poles, which are symbolically like gates all around the designated area, that is regarded as one physical domain. This enables Jews to traverse the designated area with their childrens’ strollers on the Shabbat day, as well as carry handkerchiefs, books, prayer shawls and anything needed for Shabbat within the area which is encompassed by the Eruv.

(Umbrellas still cannot be carried. When one opens an umbrella, one constructs a tent, which is prohibited on Shabbat.)

Where wires are not on the very top of the poles, more poles must be added. The necesary arrangements were made with the Nova Scotia Power Corpration, and other public authorities. Telephone poles could not be incorporated because the wires are not placed at the top of the poles but on the side.

The boundary extends from the Mac Donald Bridge (a man-made structure) in the Harbour and incorporates Northwood Manor, runs down North Street to Chebucto Road, turning left on MacDonald Street. It turns right on Quinpool Road and ends at the crosswalk halfway to the Armdale Rotary, at high and low tides in the Northwest Arm. All who live within the Halifax Peninsula, south of the Eruv, are enclosed. Where new poles are added they are vertical wood slats.

Each Friday the Eruv is inspected by a volunteer to see that all wires and poles are intact. The inspector then informs the Shul office before Friday noon whether the Eruv is operational for the Sabbath. This information is placed on the Synagogue’s message system along with the services times. Both local residents and stourists, benefit from this system.

We are always in need of additional inspectors. Please offer your time so that we can arrange an initial tour of the Eruv with you.

Contact Dr. Barrie Ross, Chairman of the Eruv Committee for details.

Email: jbross@dal.ca