Sophie Calle, L’erouv de Jérusalem

[Fall 2001]

This article was originally published only in French. You can read it by switching over to the French version of this page.

Summary
According to Jewish law, complete rest is obligatory during Shabbat. The ban on working includes carrying any objects (keys, a book, a bag) outside the home. However, according to the Torah, a village or city surrounded by a wall with gates is considered a private domain. Today, it is an accepted practice to “build” eruvim using wire, string, or galvanized-steel ropes to form an imaginary wall. I asked residents of Jerusalem, Israeli and Palestinian, to take me to a public space that has, in their eyes, a private character.