Mr Levy as usual is missing the point ('Eruv confusion', Times Letters, December 6). It was the wire that was struck by lightening, the wire that makes up a very component part of the eruv and wire gets easily damaged.

Furthermore his notion that the boundary is non-existent and non-physical needs kicking into touch.

If it were non-existent how on earth would the two rabbinical inspectors (who have to be remunerated), obliged to make weekly inspections to ensure that all is in order, be able to inspect at all?

Poles are not unobtrusive nor is wire imperceptible as can be verified by the view outside my house.

As for the comment about Christmas trees and lights, they do not comprise an area of so many square miles and as for being quasi-Christian, I think the pagans might have something to say about that.

Finally I know about the eruvim in Sydney and St Louis. Both are located in mainly Jewish areas.

The Sydney eruv has been closed for the last month (still is) and in St Louis they are moaning about the constant repairs and maintenance needed to keep the eruv open.

Patricia Ann Wilson

Woodville Road, New Barnet

December 17, 2001 17:02