Halachot Related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic

Tefillah

When davening at home one should be cognizant of the following ideas:

1. A person should daven in a makom kavuah.
2. A person should daven in front of a wall so that there's no distractions in front of him.
3. A person can and should daven near a window that serves as a means of being inspired to look towards heaven.
4. A person can daven Shemona Esrei aloud if it helps his kavana. It also serves as a role model for children.
5. A person shouldn't daven in a room that is usually used for frivolity.
6. A person shouldn't daven in front of an open bathroom.
7. At a time of a plague such as our times it is advisable to say ketoret which has the power to end a plague.
8. At this time a person should recite Avinu Malkenu in Shacharit and Mincha.

Kriyat Hatorah

1. A person who is at home and can't be at shul should nonetheless read the parsha between Shacharit and Mussaf as a way of remembering the concept of kriyat hatorah. He can use that reading as part of his reading of Shenayim Mikra Vechad Targum.
2. When the congregation misses a kriyat hatorah they can make it up by reading two parshiyot next week in Shul. However, if they miss multiple weeks there is a discussion if they should or could make up all of the parshiyot that they missed.

Hagomel

1. A person needs to recite hagomel in front of a minyan of ten men. Some suggest that this can be recited before ten people listening on a video or phone call and can answer amen. Even though they aren't present, the minyan in this context is purely to publicize the idea so it is permissible. Others disagree and as long as the minyan isn't in the same room one can not recite hagomel.

Chametz

1. If a person doesn't usually sell chametz and is afraid that if he doesn't sell chametz one year he isn't going to have food afterwards he can sell his chametz. He wouldn't require a hatarat nedarim.
2. A person can sell his chametz on the phone and if possible a kinyan can be made virtually in order to appoint the rabbi to sell the chametz. The kinyan would take place as follows: the rabbi who is being appointed would give a pen or another utensil to a friend standing next to him while he is onthe phone with the rabbi in order to appoint him. If that isn't feasible it isn't necessary. Nonetheless, one could stipulate in the document that this appointment of the rabbi is done with the full knowledge of its legal ramifications and it is accepted completely.

Machine Matza

1. It is permitted under extenuating circumstances to use machine matza for the mitzvah of eating matzah on the seder night.