The Community Eruv of Sharon, Massachusetts

Eruv Status: 781-695-0505

Because the Sharon eruv goes through many wooded areas, rain, snow, or even strong winds can cause part or all of the eruv to go down. So please call the status line before depending on it on any given Shabbat. (The status line is updated shortly before sundown every Friday.) For more information, see the About section.

The Map

Danger zone descriptions

Key

Eruv Sections

Main Eruv: Shaded areas are in the eruv, except as noted below
Playground/Hammershop Pond: This section is NOT in the eruv due to water
Mountain Street Section: This section IS in the eruv. However, this section may be down even if the rest of the eruv is up. (You can walk freely between the two sections if both are up.)

Markers

Synagogue: Click the marker for an information balloon
Eruv Danger Zone: Click the marker to see photos to the right of the map

News

The Eruv site gets a facelift, using Google Maps technology, and gets its own domain. (April, 2008)
Areas that have standing water for only parts of the year are now considered in the eruv year-round! (February, 2008)
The Eruv may sometimes be up on the Shabbat of a three-day Yom Tov. See the policy section for details. (October, 2007)
Ames street sidewalk from the Fistel's house to Knife Shop Pond is now in the eruv. (Jan., 2006)

About the Eruv

The Sharon Eruv, founded in 1990, was constructed and maintained in close consultation with its original Rav HaMakhshir, Rav Shimon Eider, Ztz"l. We are grateful for the profound Torah wisdom, halakhic guidance and personal attention we received from Rav Eider, Ztz"l, and we mourn his loss with all Klal Yisrael. We are thankful and honored to have Rav Moshe Heinemann, Shlit"a, as our current Rav HaMakhshir.

The Sharon Eruv is maintained under the direct supervision of Rabbi Meir Sendor of the Young Israel of Sharon. Over three dozen volunteers inspect the Eruv on a weekly rotation to ensure that it is intact and that all necessary repairs are made.

We are very lucky to have a eruv in Sharon. Our town is blessed with many beautiful lakes and ponds, an open historic cemetery and only sparse utility pole density. Unfortunately, this makes for a complicated eruv, which does go down on occasion.

General Boundaries

Please remember that the Eruv boundaries are very complex.

Many sidewalks on the edge of the Eruv are not included. Sidewalks on N. Main St. (north of Huntington), Gunhouse (near its intersection with E. Foxboro), Cottage Street (from the north end of the Cottage Street School to the Cottage/Ames St intersection), E. Foxboro Street are not within the Eruv
Because we need to exclude wetland areas, there are interior areas not within the Eruv: In particular, the Ames St. playground, across the street from Young Israel, is (sadly) not within the Eruv.

When and Why the Eruv Might Be Down

Inclement Weather

Severe weather tends to wreak havoc on parts of the eruv. Therefore, the eruv should be considered down for the following conditions on Shabbat:

High winds

Above 40 miles per hour or if you see fallen tree branches in the street

Wintry weather:

Heavy / wet snow (more than 2 inches)
Light / fluffy snow (more than 3 inches)
Ice storm (branches are coated)

Three-day Yom Tov

When Shabbat directly follows Yom Tov, the checkers will endeavor to re-check the eruv on the second day of Yom Tov, so that generally the eruv can be assumed to be up. However, please attend synagogue on Friday morning, or speak to someone who has, in case there is an announcement that the eruv will be down.

Standing water

The Eruv must exclude large areas of standing water. However, Rav Heinemann has ruled that areas with standing water for only a short part of the year can be included in the eruv for the entire year. As such, the Harold Street and Minuteman/Paul Revere sections which were considered outside the eruv in the past are now considered inside the eruv throughout the year.