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Halachot Related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic: Difference between revisions
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Halachot Related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic (view source)
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All rabbinim agree that one should be cautious with all the health guidelines set up by the government and other local insitutions in order to stay safe and help prevent getting others sick.<ref>[https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=104843 Rav Yitzchak Yosef], [http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-with-doctors_Mar-15-2020.pdf Rav Hershel Schachter], Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22 2020), [https://www.ou.org/covid19/ OU (March 20 2020)], [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=106099 Rav Shmuel Fuerst (min 53)], [https://youtu.be/Yo6IJi2V-bw Rav Nevinsal], [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/leader-of-ultra-orthodox-world-calls-for-lone-prayer-due-to-coronavirus-622805 Rav Chaim Kanievsky], and RCBC letters. | All rabbinim agree that one should be cautious with all the health guidelines set up by the government and other local insitutions in order to stay safe and help prevent getting others sick.<ref>[https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=104843 Rav Yitzchak Yosef], [http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-with-doctors_Mar-15-2020.pdf Rav Hershel Schachter], Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22 2020), [https://www.ou.org/covid19/ OU (March 20 2020)], [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=106099 Rav Shmuel Fuerst (min 53)], [https://youtu.be/Yo6IJi2V-bw Rav Nevinsal], [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/leader-of-ultra-orthodox-world-calls-for-lone-prayer-due-to-coronavirus-622805 Rav Chaim Kanievsky], and RCBC letters. | ||
*Endangering Oneself to Learn Torah: Ketubot 77b records and praises the practice of Reish Lakish to teach Torah to those ill with tzarat, some translate as leprosy, even though it is contagious. The gemara explained that he did so out of his love for Torah. Daf Al Hadaf cites Mishnat Pikuach Nefesh 69:7 who asks how Reish Lakish could endanger himself and rely on a miracle. He answers that the disease he was concerned with was only dangerous to health but not life threatening.</ref> Corona virus as it causes a serious health threat to some people, inhibits any social gatherings and semachot, and has severely damaged the economy and livelihood of certain people, poses a serious challenge to everyone. We all need to daven and take advantage of the circumstances in order to best serve Hashem. As a thoughtful Jew it is incumbent upon a person to take to heart some important lessons of life and restrengthen himself in his commitments. <ref>Rambam Taniyot 1:1-3, [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?a=105844 Rav Reuven Epstein] emphasizes that we need to take a lesson from corona since it overtly a hardship for Jews and humanity and a sign from Hashem. [https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/949185/rabbi-menachem-penner/shema-everything-is-from-hashem/ Rabbi Penner] discussed how we can revitalize our strength in mitzvot at this time based on better appreciating the lessons of Shema. Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22, 2020) introduced his shiur by discussing how we can strengthen our commitment to [[Ben Adam Lchavero]].</ref> Additionally, on a practical level | *Endangering Oneself to Learn Torah: Ketubot 77b records and praises the practice of Reish Lakish to teach Torah to those ill with tzarat, some translate as leprosy, even though it is contagious. The gemara explained that he did so out of his love for Torah. Daf Al Hadaf cites Mishnat Pikuach Nefesh 69:7 who asks how Reish Lakish could endanger himself and rely on a miracle. He answers that the disease he was concerned with was only dangerous to health but not life threatening.</ref> Corona virus as it causes a serious health threat to some people, inhibits any social gatherings and semachot, and has severely damaged the economy and livelihood of certain people, poses a serious challenge to everyone. We all need to daven and take advantage of the circumstances in order to best serve Hashem. As a thoughtful Jew it is incumbent upon a person to take to heart some important lessons of life and restrengthen himself in his commitments. <ref>Rambam Taniyot 1:1-3, [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?a=105844 Rav Reuven Epstein] emphasizes that we need to take a lesson from corona since it overtly a hardship for Jews and humanity and a sign from Hashem. [https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/949185/rabbi-menachem-penner/shema-everything-is-from-hashem/ Rabbi Penner] discussed how we can revitalize our strength in mitzvot at this time based on better appreciating the lessons of Shema. Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22, 2020) introduced his shiur by discussing how we can strengthen our commitment to [[Ben Adam Lchavero]].</ref> Additionally, on a practical level COVID19 has many implications for people and here is a small collection of the relevant halacha. | ||
==[[Tefillah]]== | ==[[Tefillah]]== | ||
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==Minyan via Technology== | ==Minyan via Technology== | ||
#It is forbidden to have a minyan in person whether it is in a shul, shteibel, home, or backyard.<ref>[https://www.ou.org/covid19/ OU]</ref> | |||
#You can't create a minyan with a video (e.g. zoom or skype) or phone call but one can join a minyan of ten men in one room with a video or phone call in order to answer [[dvarim shebekedusha]]. Even if there is a time delay between the person reciting the bracha and the one answering it that wouldn't be considered an [[Amen Yetoma]].<ref>[https://zoom.us/rec/play/7sJ8f-2h_Dw3T4KRtgSDC6AoW429LfqshnVI-_tcmkewVnQEZlDyMrYTarN3uUfeS8PCmTWJp298J75t Rav Schachter (towards middle)], Rabbi Nacson in Laws of Praying Beyachid p. 4 based on Yalkut Yosef 5775 ed Yamim Noraim p. 17, Yabia Omer 1:19:18, Chazon Ovadia Purim p. 56</ref> | #You can't create a minyan with a video (e.g. zoom or skype) or phone call but one can join a minyan of ten men in one room with a video or phone call in order to answer [[dvarim shebekedusha]]. Even if there is a time delay between the person reciting the bracha and the one answering it that wouldn't be considered an [[Amen Yetoma]].<ref>[https://zoom.us/rec/play/7sJ8f-2h_Dw3T4KRtgSDC6AoW429LfqshnVI-_tcmkewVnQEZlDyMrYTarN3uUfeS8PCmTWJp298J75t Rav Schachter (towards middle)], Rabbi Nacson in Laws of Praying Beyachid p. 4 based on Yalkut Yosef 5775 ed Yamim Noraim p. 17, Yabia Omer 1:19:18, Chazon Ovadia Purim p. 56</ref> | ||
#It isn't considered a minyan for people to join together to daven on a video conference but it is still somewhat spiritually valuable.<ref>[https://zoom.us/rec/play/7sJ8f-2h_Dw3T4KRtgSDC6AoW429LfqshnVI-_tcmkewVnQEZlDyMrYTarN3uUfeS8PCmTWJp298J75t Rav Schachter (towards middle)]</ref> | #It isn't considered a minyan for people to join together to daven on a video conference but it is still somewhat spiritually valuable.<ref>[https://zoom.us/rec/play/7sJ8f-2h_Dw3T4KRtgSDC6AoW429LfqshnVI-_tcmkewVnQEZlDyMrYTarN3uUfeS8PCmTWJp298J75t Rav Schachter (towards middle)]</ref> | ||
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==[[Kriyat Hatorah]]== | ==[[Kriyat Hatorah]]== | ||
#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]].<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/949205/dr-david-pelcovitz-dr-rona-novick-rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz-rabbi-dr-ari-berman/living-learning-and-thriving-in-the-era-of-covid-19/ Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz] quoting Rabbi Willig. [https://www.star-k.org/videos.php Rabbi Moshe Heinemann] around minutes 7-10 agrees that you should do so on Shabbat, but that it is not necessary on Monday and Thursday. </ref> Some this doesn't accomplish anything.<Ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/950291/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-8-krias-hatorah/ Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #8)]</ref> | #A person who is at home and can't be at shul should nonetheless read the parsha from a chumash 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]].<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/949205/dr-david-pelcovitz-dr-rona-novick-rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz-rabbi-dr-ari-berman/living-learning-and-thriving-in-the-era-of-covid-19/ Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz] quoting Rabbi Willig. [https://www.star-k.org/videos.php Rabbi Moshe Heinemann] around minutes 7-10 agrees that you should do so on Shabbat, but that it is not necessary on Monday and Thursday. </ref> Some this doesn't accomplish anything.<Ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/950291/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-8-krias-hatorah/ Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #8)]</ref> | ||
#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.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/949205/dr-david-pelcovitz-dr-rona-novick-rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz-rabbi-dr-ari-berman/living-learning-and-thriving-in-the-era-of-covid-19/ Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz] based on Rama and Magen Avraham</ref> | #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.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/949205/dr-david-pelcovitz-dr-rona-novick-rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz-rabbi-dr-ari-berman/living-learning-and-thriving-in-the-era-of-covid-19/ Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz] based on Rama and Magen Avraham</ref> | ||
#A person should not move a sefer torah out of a Shul for a home minyan.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/14IUOs2OOMhloqYwnbv3iKGrWS6GbYGId/view?usp=drivesdk Rabbi Yonatan Nacson in Laws of Praying Byachid (p. 10)] citing Rav Asher Weiss</ref> See [[Respecting_a_Sefer_Torah#Transporting_a_Sefer_Torah]] for more details. | #A person should not move a sefer torah out of a Shul for a home minyan.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/14IUOs2OOMhloqYwnbv3iKGrWS6GbYGId/view?usp=drivesdk Rabbi Yonatan Nacson in Laws of Praying Byachid (p. 10)] citing Rav Asher Weiss</ref> See [[Respecting_a_Sefer_Torah#Transporting_a_Sefer_Torah]] for more details. | ||
