Development and infrastructure work at the entrance to
Modi'in Illit is now complete, transforming the gate into a
splendid entrance befitting the thriving Torah community.
Special emphasis was placed on ensuring that the eruv
meets the highest kashrus standards due to the gate.
HaRav Efraim Rothschild, rov of the city's Eruv Department,
consulted with gedolei Yisroel and, based on their
instructions, arranged a special Shabbos exit for ambulances
and other emergency vehicles to eliminate the need to open
the main city gates. This will preserve the city's status as
a reshus hayochid rather than reshus horabim
which is defined as "a domain and road that lead from one
city to another."
The passageway for emergency vehicles is located at the side
of the gate. All week it remains closed and opening it on
Shabbos does not open the reshus horabim or affect the
eruv since emergency vehicles cannot exit in the
normal manner. Thus the city remains a reshus hayochid
throughout the Shabbos and the main gate does not open even
for a moment.
The Eruv Department is planning a special ceremony to mark
the posting of a mezuzoh on the entrance gate. Once
Modi'in Illit becomes sealed on Shabbos it will become the
only town in Israel where a mezuzoh can be posted on
the main gate.
