Is this tolerance?

12:05pm Wednesday 23rd January 2002

Mr Collins maintains that the psychological effect of the eruv 'wires' could be devastating ('Antiquated laws', Times Letters, January 17).

I personally am more devastated to discover that such a small infringement by one denomination could cause such antipathy. Is this the tolerant society that we believe we have, or is it just a myth? I do not feel devastated when I am woken on Sunday morning by the church bells and I wonder what devastation Mr Collins would feel if the synagogue rang its bells at 8am on Sunday morning.

As regards his request that the Chief Rabbi should change the law, I am surprised that he has not yet grasped one of the major differences between Orthodox Judaism and Christianity is that the former believes that laws are made by One only. The Holy One has not delegated this task to mortals.

Christianity has the right to believe otherwise but can we expect some understanding that we have to differ on this point?

For the record, I am neither for or against the eruv I merely challenge the motives of those against it.

Michael Weissbraun

Dancastle Court, Finchley

Editor's Choice