וְלֹא אָמְרוּ לְעָרֵב חֲצֵירוֹת, אֶלָּא כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא לְשַׁכֵּחַ תּוֹרַת עֵירוּב מִן הַתִּינוֹקוֹת.
And they said to establish an eiruv for courtyards only after all the inhabitants of the city merge their alleyways and become like the inhabitants of a single courtyard, so that the law of eiruv should not be forgotten by the children, who may not be aware of the arrangement that has been made with regard to the alleyways.
I will take a moment here to make a comment about chinuch. Personally, I believe an Eiruv is a beautiful thing. If there is a responsible halakhic Way to allow for carrying it should be utilized. This Is especially true for young mothers need to get outside with their babies and small children.
Yet, having grown up In my early youth without an Eiruv, I can appreciate it more and also understand how easy it is for another generation to forget what carrying on Shabbos is.
This is why for several decades, I suggest (always bli neder) that my family members not carry on Shabbos Shuvah. Really it could be any shabbos of the year but I chose Shabbos Shuvah for a two reasons:
- During the aseres ymei teshuva it is customary to be more vigilant than usual in regard to halakha and it is not considered hypocritical even if regularly you do not engage in that level. See for example, Shulkhan Arukh OH:603
- The idea of not using an Eiruv is an experience of scaling down and simplification. The extra thought of going to Shul by wearing the talis, not carrying you favorite Sefer, or not being able to walk out of the house without checking your pockets engenders a certain humility and restraint that feels right for Shabbos Shuva
Discuss the idea with your family at the shabbos table and put in some comments letting me know how it went and what you decided.
for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 46
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation 
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