2936 —דיון בהלכות עירובין ונקודות הלכתיות קשורות

B"H, 18 Elul, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Yosef David Maskowitz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter in response to what I wrote—my comments regarding matters of Eiruvin.

Regarding what you wrote about seeds—not having seen seeds in Manhattan—it is indeed surprising, as there are many in several places there.

As for what you wrote about the concern of a sandbank (that in a case where it is only rabbinic we do not worry that a sandbank will arise), it must be said that this view was not accepted. For according to several Rishonim and also some Acharonim, the practical halachah is that there is no reshut harabim nowadays; nevertheless, they bring up and elaborate on the concern of a sandbank even now.

Regarding my comment that Shabbat at Marah was commanded, and your question from Tosafot Shabbat 7b s.v. techumin: It seems clear to me that I referenced this Tosafot in my letter as well, since there it appears that according to one opinion they were commanded regarding carrying out at Marah, and from this we learn also for the other opinion since their disagreement is not about this point.

You wish to compare this to milah (and note from the Mishnah commentary at the end of Chullin); I also alluded to this in my letter by noting that regarding Shabbat at Sinai it says "as He commanded you at Marah," which does not apply to milah—as is obvious.

At this time I come to wish you a ketivah vachatimah tovah for a good and sweet year.

With honor and blessing.

Summary

This letter demonstrates careful halachic analysis and respectful scholarly debate on Eiruvin. The Rebbe emphasizes precise sources and distinctions while extending heartfelt blessings for the new year.