Bidspirit auction | Polemic against Manhattan Eruv. Hilchisa

Polemic against Manhattan Eruv. Hilchisa Rabsa L’Shabata. New York 1910 - Rare polemic authored by R. Yehuda Dovid Bernstein addressing the issue of carrying in New York City on Shabbos. Many of the Halachic issues discussed in this sefer remain pertinent today, particularly in large cities. With a responsum from R. Eliezer Deitsch of Bonyhad (Pri Ha’Sadeh) imploring New York Jewry not to rely on the lenient opinions permitting an Eruv. This work was primarily written as a refutation of R. Yehoshua Siegel’s Eruv V’Hotza’ah, published in New York 1907. R. Bernstein’s Halachic opinion prohibits carrying on Shabbos in Manhattan. Indicative of the many issues involved, he notes the many bridges and tunnels running to the outer boroughs and to New Jersey. He also discusses thoroughfares such as Delancey Street, which cut across the city, as well as Central Park, where tens of thousands of people congregate. Of interest is an appendix containing a responsum prohibiting the use of electricity on Yom Tov which was a point of contention. R. Yehuda Dovid Bernstein (1863-1930), was a distinguished alumnus of Slabodka Yeshiva. After immigrating to America, he served on the Agudas Ha’Rabonim and was active in the founding of RIETS (Yeshiva University). Goldman 1145. Rotwin press. 36 pages. 20 cm. Very fine condition. Antique binding (detached). Opening bid $150