If you're a Texas resident of Dallas, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, or even if you're a frequent visitor to these cities, there are miles and miles of "hidden" wires running around these cities you've probably never noticed.

No, we're not talking about telephone or electrical wires.

These wires largely go unnoticed by almost everyone, but they serve a very important purpose to some of the residents of these Texas cities.

Austin, Texas
Unsplash Via Ryan Duffy
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Is it a secret government listening device? A workout apparatus for squirrels? Or perhaps a tool to prevent birds from getting electrocuted by power lines?

The answer to all three is no.

So, what exactly are these miles and miles of wires, and what’s its purpose?

These wires actually serve an important religious purpose.

llDallas, Texas Jewish Eruv Wire
Unsplash Via Lance Asper
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What is Shabbat & How Does an Eruv Help?

Jewish Shabbat begins every Friday at sunset and ends Saturday after dark. During Shabbat, Jewish law prohibits carrying personal items from private to public spaces.

This includes wallets, phones, keys, or even strollers. So, how do people manage?

Enter the eruv—a symbolic boundary that allows carrying within its limits, easing the observance of Shabbat.

The eruv helps Jewish communities navigate this tricky rule while staying true to their traditions.

Texas Jewish Eruv
Wikipedia By Permission Via Utilisateur Djampa
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From crescentcityjewishnews.com -

"An eruv, an enclosure that extends the private domain of Jewish households into public areas, has been constructed and has been approved by city officials and certified as kosher for its first Shabbat.

An eruv essentially establishes specific boundaries that spiritually serve to mimic a walled city."

The length of eruv wires in Texas varies by city and community, depending on the size of the area the eruv covers.

Dallas, Texas Eruv Map
Google Maps
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While exact measurements are not always publicized, here are some rough estimates for Texas cities:

Houston: The eruv in Houston spans multiple neighborhoods and is estimated to cover around 20-30 miles.

Dallas: The Dallas eruv is also quite large, potentially covering around 15-20 miles.

Austin and San Antonio: These eruvim are smaller, ranging from 10-15 miles.

The total length of eruv wires across all Texas cities could easily exceed 50 miles when combining the various communities.

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