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Is it hypocrisy for Jewish communities to erect an eruv?

(80 Posts)
bluebell Sun 11-Aug-13 08:48:39

I think it is hypocritical as it seems to me to circumvent the original concept of the Sabbath and the Orthodox Jews who benefit from one would still be critical of Jews without the benefit of one behaving as they then can with one ( beautifully constructed sentence). What also I find rather disturbing is the 'ghetto' like conatation of a defined Jewish area . However, I have to admit to an antipathy towards Orthodox Judaism and their attitude to women in particular .

MiceElf Sun 11-Aug-13 08:48:34

As Jesus said 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath'.

On other words, it's the spirit of the law that matters, not the letter. But try convincing lawyers ( of whatever persuasion) of that.

Lawyers love to define, and define precisely. It's a very specialised mindset, useful in some contexts, not in others. But people are free to follow or to ignore as they choose.

As for the Friday non meat eating Catholics, that regulation was discarded fifty years ago. What we are supposed to do now is to eat a very simple meal and give what we have saved to the poor and hungry. Some will, some won't, but that's the spirit of the advice.

whenim64 Sun 11-Aug-13 08:33:20

My personal opinion, as one who does not follow a religion, is that ideas which dictate how to restrict your life without a reasonable explanation, should be done away with.

The proposed eruv will not be too intrusive because it uses existing boundaries like rows of houses and other buildings, and where there are gaps, a wire will be suspended high up between telegraph poles or lamp-posts. Where there is no such provision, poles will be erected and painted to match lamp-posts. They've done it in other parts of the country.

These FAQs explain.

www.eboreruv.org/faqs.asp

Lilygran Sun 11-Aug-13 08:20:49

Not sure how the eruv has a negative effect? The young mother who was being interviewed this morning on Radio 4 said how much more convenient it would be after the eruv is completed.

Greatnan Sun 11-Aug-13 07:35:03

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.