[Avodah] The term 'erusin'

[kennethgmiller at juno.com]

R' Yitzhak Grossman wrote:
> ... this is incorrect, since the term "erusin" in the language
> of the Bible and the Gemara, and even after the sealing of the
> Talmud, and until our latest generation, is used to refer to
> kiddushin, and not to the execution of the tenaim, and it is
> therefore certainly ab initio improper to refer to a mere
> tenaim as erusin.

Furthermore, the term "eruv" in the language of the Gemara, and even after the sealing of the Talmud, and until our latest generation, is used to refer to the shared food, and not to the string around the town, and it is therefore certainly ab initio improper to refer to a mere tzuras hapesach as an eruv.

Many times I've also posted about those who talk about minhagim to avoid something (like marriages during sefira or the three weeks) and refer to it as an "issur". And this is not only in how people talk, but frequently in poskim as well.

I am certainly NOT defending the practice of using inaccurate language. I'm just pointing out that it is an old practice. Language changes and develops. Old words take on new meanings. We don't have to like it or support it, but realize that it can't be stopped.

Akiva Miller

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