An eruv is a wire erected around an area, within which orthodox Jews can treat the whole area as their home and carry out their normal activities on the Sabbath. One will soon enclose a large area of Northern Manchester. Without it, they would be forbidden to do any kind of work, domestic or otherwise, to carry anything, even a baby, a walking stick, or a handkerchief. The erection of the eruv seems to me to be allowing them to follow the letter of the law, whilst ignoring its spirit and intention. Why not just ignore the law if you don't agree with it? It has a very negative impact on the sick, disabled, and mothers of young children.
I view this as similar to the rule forbidding Catholics to eat meat on certain days, which was meant to impose some sacrifice on them. Now, many Catholics eat expensive fish, which surely does not involve much sacrifice (except financial - chicken would be much cheaper.)
I can't see the point in finding ways to get round rules, instead of just ignoring them or trying to get them changed.
