Snow Downs Sabbath Markers in NYC
Snow and ice routinely down power lines and trees and we’ve grown accustomed to hearing about deaths caused by inclement weather. We rarely hear of a weather phenomenon disrupting an entire religious way of life.
Orthodox Jews rely on markers called Eruvin to enable them to travel with a burden on the sabbath. In modern Judaism these markers are generally wires outlining a symbolic “fence” around a community of Jews. When even one of these wires is down the Jew practicing the Sabbath must not cross any property line carrying anything (ie: keys, strollers, wallets, children, groceries, or the scriptures.) Until the lines are fixed there will be a lot of Orthodox Jews stranded in their homes on Saturdays.
