The Whitefield Eruv implements a centuries old symbolic mechanism, enabling Jews to carry items and push strollers in public areas on Shabbat when such activities would normally be prohibited.
Our Eruv covers a small area no greater than 2 square kilometres on the Southern edge of Bury, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.
It extends North to South from the Polyflor plc factory at Leicester Road, running Southbound along the Metro railway line as far as the M60 Motorway as the Southern boundary. It extends West to East from Old Hall Lane on the Western Boundary to Besses o’ th’ Barns Metro station to the East.
WHAT IS AN ERUV
Shabbat is a day set apart by Jewish law from the working week. Family time and spiritual pursuits are emphasised and weekday activities associated with work are prohibited. The Torah forbids carrying in a public domain on the Shabbat.
The Torah however permits carrying within an area that is surrounded by an eruv. An area enclosed by an eruv is considered to be a private domain, and one is permitted to carry objects within that space. This will allow members of the community to come to shul on Shabbat, Festivals and the high holy days according to Halacha.
There are well over 200 eruvim in communities throughout the world and many more in Israel. Most major Jewish communities in North America have one, as do the communities in Europe, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Sydney.
According to Jewish Law, Jews are not allowed to carry on the Sabbath (Saturday) unless they are in a city which is ringed by a clearly defined city wall (e.g, Jerusalem, York, Chester etc). Where there is the absence of a city wall, Jews may only carry if there is a symbolic private domain around them – an Eruv.
What does the Eruv look like?
The Eruv is generally a mainly invisible and inconspicuous device which uses a combination of natural geographic features (such as railway lines) or man made structures (such as walls and lampposts) to create a boundary or perimeter around a defined area. Where there are no existing useable boundaries, gaps can be filled in by inconspicuous wires or poles, or other appropriate structures.
What does the Eruv enable Jews to carry or do?
- Push senior citizens or disabled people in wheelchairs to Synagogue.
- Push prams and buggies with young children to Synagogue.
- Carry medicines and other essential objects to Synagogue.
This map is approximate, please contact eruv@thewhc.co.uk for any questions before relying on it.