Dear Rav Bloom,
Thank you. And if you have time, here's a general question that I was asked recently: Why is it that we rely so often on simanim and hekeirim rather than clear, unambiguous written warnings. For example, at the very beginning of Eruvin, the gemara discusses lechi and koreh, which are meant to warn people not to carry in or out of the mavoi. Wouldn't a written sign be clearer and more effective?
My suggestion is simply that not everybody, then or now, can read and write, and Chazal were concerned that the sign be understandable for everyone. Also, even literate folk may not read Hebrew or the native language when visiting abroad. Any ideas?
YMR
I like your suggestion but I would just like to add an additional thought. Often the Torah and Chazal chose very noticeable and visual ways of illustrating principles of Yiddishkeit. For instance, the Torah says we should eat Matzos and bitter herbs on Pesach to remind us that we went out of Egypt. Even though we read the Hagadah and tell everyone what happened in Mitzrayim, nevertheless this alone is not enough and to make it more tangible to everyone we need more practical reminders too. In a similar way, a written sign in the Mavoy would not be sufficient to show that it is a private domain, but something real is required to show that it is as if the fourth wall is also closed. Chazal were great educators and required something very striking and visual to drive the message home.
(There is a case I know of where a written sign is effective at removing a worry of people prohibiting a transgression - see BI'UR HALACHAH 275:1 DH ULE'OR that if one writes in large letters, "It is Shabbos today and it is forbidden to light up" this is sufficient to permit reading to the light of the lamp. However, I think that if you learn the Sugya there you will see that this is only when combined with a few other reasons, but usually a written sign is not sufficient.)
KOL TUV,
D. BLOOM