In Antwerp , Belgium , the eruv was not intentionally broken during two weeks . With the result that many , involuntarely , had sinned .

One of the amazong ideas within Judaism is that God is stupid. Somehow, fencing off an area with string transforms the religion's prohibitions against "labor or other activities' on the Sabbath, and makes it all right. Somehow,, a redefinition of boundaries makes the unlawful activity correct. And if by chance, the string is broken, then the transgressors have 'involuntarily sinned'. Funny, but I always thought that sin was a voluntary act. It seems that Jews can always redefine God's wishes and he will be bound by the redefinitions.

Just turn it on before Shabbos. It will buzz when boundary is crossed.

Since you guys like to post comments about topics you absolutely do not understand, I advise you to check these links : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eruv http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement_in_Judaism It is quite basic, but should help you.

bs"d It's exactly as you have said Mike . "Lo bashamayim Hi" We decide as long as it is within the parameters of the written law. That is one of the reasons that makes Judaism a living religion . HaShem (G-d) has given us a Kopf and he wants us to use it .

One of the amazing ideas within Christianity is that God is immoral and unjust. You can be a Hitler or a Pol Pot, but if you "let Jesus into your heart" on your deathbed, you'll be "saved." I'd choose my string over your hoax any day.

Venice (Italy) have eruv. Ask the map to the venice community

I agree! It is really their own justification to try to stretch the rules to make it feel 'okay' in their minds to break shabbat.

It is unutterably wrongheaded to build a Jewish community in this fantastically beautiful city, where individuals allow themselves to verbally spew hatred against Jews with impunity. It is possibly the most anti-semitic city in the world.

Join us for dinner and Mai Tais ?

if TC picks me up with the chopper (but have no money for fuel). Higgins says, Mai Tai's "too primitive" for him, so will stay at home and guard his flowers ;-)

Eruv is to the people that subscribe to it, is like denial to an alcoholic. Denial allows the alcoholic to continue prohibited behavior. Eruv allows black hats to continue prohibited behavior. Eruv is denial. Denial ulitmately leads to chaos. Chaos is where Jews go frequently, if you read history. I for one, will not be going down with them, the next time around.

An Eruv is not only for the "black hats" , it's for all the religious Jews . This allows them to carry some very needed things , beginning with the keys of their home .

The use and symbolism of the Eruv is further evidence of the needed changes taking place in Judaism as the many seek to circumvent the limitations of the old ways. It is no surprise that the Eruv was once popular in Vienna years ago, a center of innovation. Those with eyes will notice that all of Judaism is rapidly evolving (relativley, as it should) into new forms. The new era brings with it a new way of doing things for the Jew in the world. Connection with the past will serve as a guide to new directions never taken before as new knowledge is assimilated and fear is discarded. As judaism becomes "fluid" it will bring inclusivity and growth.

So why not drive on shabbat ? why fast yom Kippour ? or maybe Jews could , as a change , eat pork ? If you begin to change , there is no end on this , and Judaism will disappear . And this is a secular's opinion .

what you have mentioned is not change, but abandonment. For goodness sake, leave the world's only jewish state and become as secular as you like in Paris. But remember to have your salt beef sandwiches for lunch to keep up your jewish culture. Your grandchildren will think you are weird

You can't read , or don't [ want to ? ] understand . Try it again , till your yo yo head will understand it . I did'nt make Alyah to leave , certtainly not to Paris where i never lived . And it's not a yo yo from an unknown hole who will tell me what to do

In Israel, it is as if Jews are wearing very tight shoes, that they display, that also make blisters. Outside Israel, Jews are wearing more comfortable house slippers that family appreciates.

Where i lived in Europe , there was also an eruv , but there were mostly , if not only , TRUE Jews , from seculars to charidim . They did'nt want reforms . If you begin , you can end , as i quoted already , eating pork . Some who want those reforms , first marry a "convert" , their children the same , at the end no more Jewish at all .

Contrary to popular belief, Jews are not disappearing. They are just undergoing changes in attitude, beliefs, and loyalties. They have begun to think differently for themselves, as as well as realizing that no single organization speaks for all Jews.

To tell a Jew, that what he is doing is not Jewish, is to place him in a box. Jews do not belong in a box.

But not everyone claiming he/she follows the Jewish faith is honest . There is only ONE judaism , without any changes . Here a reform "jew" told me that he did'nt know that writing is not allowed on Shabbat . What other rules does they don't know and follow ? And i repeat it : this is a secular Jew who says it .

Maybe so. That is the strength of a more "fluid' Judaism. More "Jews" can get under the umbrella. This is good.

What is TRUE Judaism today? What one group says? Too, Too much fear among Jewish. Knowledge of history and universe and good moral life is Jewish. Like water, the good ideas flow into all cracks. Silly stuff is going away.

True Judaism is not reform nor conservative . True Judaism is'nt praying in English .True Judaism is not having masses of "converts" . True Judaism is having a Jewish "nefesh" , the same a secular , but TRUE , Jew has .

You live in Israel, and what is TRUE TO YOU is what is most important. To you I say , SHABBAT SHALOM UM'VORACH and SHAVUAH TOV and SHANNAH TOVAH UM'TUKAH !!!

You say only "shavoua tov" after Shabbat , and not in the same time as "Shabbat Shalom" .