Beracha on Eiruv Techum

Eiruvin (8:1) | Yisrael Bankier | a year ago

The eighth perek begins by explaining how one forms an eirvuv techum. The Mishnah teaches that one places a barrel of food and declares that it is for everyone in the city who needs it for a mitzvah. The Bartenura explains that this is because an eiruv techum can only be made for the purpose of a mitzvah. We shall try to understand this Mishnah.

The Tosfot Yom Tov explains that when the Gemara states that one cannot form an eiruv techum unless it is for a mitzvah it implies that there would be an issue if one made an eiruv techum for another need. What is the concern? The Tosfot Yom Tov explains that when one makes an eiruv techum they recite a beracha, like one does when performing a rabbinic mitzvah. If one were to form an eiruv techum for another need, reciting a beracha would constitute a beracha levatala -- a beracha made in vain.

The Tosfot Yom Tov continues that this understanding aligns with the Rambam who maintains that one makes a beracha when making an eiruv techum. The Raavad however disagrees. He explains that it is true that one does make a beracha when making an eiruv chatzeirot or shituf mavoi. That is because that eiruv (or shituf) acts as a reminder on shabbat that while one is now allowed to carry in this shared space, they cannot carry in the public domain. For an eiruv chatzeirot however "it [only] affords a leniency".

The Maggid Mishanh however argues that according to that logic, there is more of a reason to make a beracha for an eiruv techum. That is because on a biblical level one is allowed to walk a far greater distance (three parsaot) and the Chachamim restricted that distance to two thousand amot. With the placement of the eiruv the gezeira, that restriction, is still in place; it is only the region in which the individual can walk has changed. Compare that with an eiruv chatzeirot that once it is made, the gezeira preventing one from carrying in the share space is completely removed. Instead, the reference to ve'tzivanu in the beracha is to the fact the Chachamim restricted carrying and movement without the eiruvin -- the gezeira itself. How do we understand the Raavad?

The Chiddushei Mahariach suggests that with respect to a chatzer since chachamim forbade carrying there, it is difficult to discern which area one is not allowed to biblically or rabbinically carry. After the eiruv chatzeirut, since carrying in the chatzer is now permitted, it is clear which area is now -- "ve'tzvivanu" -- biblically prohibited. With respect to an eiruv techum however, nothing has really changed. There is only a leniency introduced that the two thousand amot space can be moved. If however the eiruv allowed one to then carry to the biblical limit, it would be comparable to the eiruv chatzerot. It would seem than that the term vetzivanu is because through the act, it becomes clear what is biblically commanded.

The Rashash however explains the Raavad differently. He explains that after one forms an eiruv chatzeirot, nothing remains of the original gezeira prohibiting one to carry in that space, other than the eiruv itself. The eiruv or shituf therefore acts as a heker (reminder) of the gezeira. Consequently, it makes sense to make a beracha on the eiruv of "ve'tzivanu" when making the eiruv, since the eiruv is necessary to act as that heker. The eiruv techum however does not serve that purpose. It is does not act as a heker for the geziera since the rabbinic limit is still in place. Consequently, no beracha is made on the object of the eiruv. Instead, it is only the means through which the parameters of the gezeira are shifted.

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