Eruv Tavshilin: Preparing for Shabbat During a Holiday

Eruv Tavshilin is a rabbinic procedure that allows cooking on a Jewish holiday (Yom Tov) for the immediately following Shabbat. Normally, one may cook on Yom Tov only for that same day. When Yom Tov falls on Friday (or Thursday-Friday), the Eruv enables preparation for Shabbat. The 'eruv' consists of a cooked food and a baked food set aside before the holiday, symbolizing that Shabbat preparations began before Yom Tov.

Eruv Tavshilin is required whenever a holiday immediately precedes Shabbat: when the first day of a holiday falls on Friday, or when a two-day holiday falls on Thursday-Friday, or when the last day of a holiday falls on Friday. This situation occurs several times a year depending on the calendar. The eruv must be made before the holiday begins - ideally on the afternoon before, but it can be done anytime before candle lighting.

Take a cooked food (traditionally a hard-boiled egg or a piece of cooked meat/fish) and a baked food (traditionally a roll or a piece of matzah on Passover). Hold both items, recite the blessing 'al mitzvat eruv,' then recite the declaration stating that through this eruv, we are permitted to bake, cook, keep food warm, light candles, and do all preparations on the holiday for Shabbat. The declaration is said in Aramaic and/or a language you understand.

Blessing: 'Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al mitzvat eruv.' Declaration: 'Through this eruv may we be permitted to bake, cook, insulate, kindle lights, prepare and do all that is necessary on the holiday for the sake of Shabbat - we and all the inhabitants of this city.' The items should be kept safe and intact through the holiday. They are traditionally eaten at Seudah Shlishit (the third Shabbat meal).

Even with an eruv, try to finish cooking early enough on Friday to honor Shabbat - the eruv is permission, not an encouragement to delay. If you forgot to make an eruv, you may rely on the communal eruv that the rabbi makes on behalf of the entire community (if such a custom exists in your area). If no communal eruv exists and you forgot, consult a rabbi for guidance. The eruv foods should be larger than a k'zayit (olive-size).

The eruv teaches us to plan ahead and think about Shabbat even in the midst of holiday celebrations. It ensures that in our joy over Yom Tov, we don't forget or neglect the honor of Shabbat. The rabbis instituted this practice to maintain the distinction and honor of both Shabbat and holidays. The eruv symbolizes that our Shabbat preparations have already begun, linking the special days together.