Rabbi David Sperling
Question
I have a toddler who can walk, but I live about a mile and half from shul without an Eruv. Over the last few years this has been a significant limitation for me, preventing my attendance of shul on Shabbat very regularly. I saw an article that you wrote that indicates if the child could walk, then you can carry them after a tantrum. Can i have him push the stroller and than after the tantrum push the stroller instead? Carrying for a while is not likely possible given the length of the trip
Answer
Shalom, Thank you for your question. I certainly understand your feelings of missing out on going to shul. However, as I wrote in the original response, the two things you suggest are problematic on Shabbat. One is not allowed to arrange a situation where the toddler will tire out and need to be carried. If your walk is a mile and a half, and you know that he will not be able to walk such a distance, it is forbidden to start walking with him knowing that you will need to carry him for the later part of the walk. Also, pushing a stroller is forbidden on Shabat. There are two things you could potentially look into. The first is seeing if you can get a babysitter who would free you up for going to shul on Shabat morning. The next, is looking into getting a non-Jew to push your baby to shul – while this is a matter of Rabbinic debate, there are lenient opinions that allow certain ways of arranging such a thing. May you be blessed with great joy from your child, And wonderful and holy Shabatot.
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