My take on eruv is that it's one of several elements in Jewish law designed to create and foster communities. Community is crucial to Jewish survival. So amon

My take on eruv is that it's one of several elements in Jewish law designed to create and foster communities. Community is crucial to Jewish survival. So among other things: - You need 10 adults to have many important prayer services - You need to eat kosher food -- which is only feasible when there's a critical mass of other Jews around - Women need to go to a ritual bath once a month; it's only feasible to have such a ritual bath if you live near other Jews who help to fund it - You can't carry on the Sabbath unless you have an eruv around your community, in which case you can carry within the community. These, together with other rules, have the effect of encouraging Jews to live near other Jews, which helps to strengthen the community more and perpetuate the tradition. I think that much of Jewish law is aimed at this underlying goal. When a rule conflicts with this goal, it's considered desirable to find a way around the rule, such that the community's centrality and strength win out.