“BEHOLD THIS IS FOR ALL THE
INHABITANTS OF MY TOWN, FOR ANY ONE WHO MAY DESIRE TO GO TO A HOUSE OF MOURNING
OR TO A HOUSE OF FEASTING”.
With this declaration, the Mishnah continues:
ANY ONE WHO ACCEPTED [TO RELY ON THE
‘ERUB] WHILE IT WAS YET DAY (Friday) IS PERMITTED [TO ENJOY ITS BENEFITS]
From this, two things are understood. One is that the travel
extension can only apply for those performing a religious action (comforting
the bereaved or celebrating with bride and groom). The second is that the
extension has to be accepted by the user.
The discussion then centers on those who may not be able to “accept”
– for example a child.
R. Assi said: A child of the age of
six may go out by the ‘erub of his mother.
There is a great deal of discussion about the age of a dependent
child – mostly focusing on ages younger than six. How is “dependent” defined?
Is it age or ability? But that is not all:
Our Rabbis taught: A man may
prepare all ‘erub for his son or daughter, if they are minors, and for his
Canaanite bondman or bondwoman, either with, or without their consent. He may
not, however, prepare an ‘erub for his Hebrew manservant or maidservant, nor
for his grownup son or daughter, nor for his wife, except with their consent.
Those who are free and able to give their consent, must be
allowed to do so.
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