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Halachot Related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic: Difference between revisions

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==Using Zoom for the Seder==
==Using Zoom for the Seder==


#Although a minority of rabbis allow using Zoom for this emergency situation in a very extenuating circumstance where an elderly single person is alone for the seder away from family because of the quarantines to use technology to leave a video conference going for Yom Tov to join with a family seder,<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277764 Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel and other rabbis]</ref> most rabbis consider this to be a breach of halacha.<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22 2020 11am, min 39), [http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-Corona-2-Mar-25-2020.pdf Rav Herschel Schachter (teshuva Adar 29 5780)], [https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgm9gww30vkgw7s/_Rabbi_Willig_Shailos_03_25_2020_.mp3?dl=0 Rav Mordechai Willig (min 20-22)], [https://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/432065 Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon]. Rav Willig's held that it is absolutely forbidden and it is a tremendous zilzul Shabbat besides questions of others prohibitions of Shabbat.</ref>
#Although a minority of rabbis allow using Zoom for this emergency situation in a very extenuating circumstance where an elderly single person is alone for the seder away from family because of the quarantines to use technology to leave a video conference going for Yom Tov to join with a family seder,<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277764 Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel and other rabbis]</ref> most rabbis consider this to be a breach of halacha.<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22 2020 11am, min 39), [http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-Corona-2-Mar-25-2020.pdf Rav Herschel Schachter (teshuva Adar 29 5780)], [https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgm9gww30vkgw7s/_Rabbi_Willig_Shailos_03_25_2020_.mp3?dl=0 Rav Mordechai Willig (min 20-22)], [https://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/432065 Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon]. Rav Willig's held that it is absolutely forbidden and it is a tremendous zilzul Shabbat besides questions of others prohibitions of Shabbat.</ref> There is a discussion if the firstgroup of rabbis retracted.<ref>[https://vosizneias.com/2020/03/24/the-heter-for-zoom-at-the-seder-is-incorrect-and-should-be-retracted/ Rabbi Yair Hoffman] describes how 3 of the original signers of the lenient ruling would only permit under life and death needs and not in general. However, [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/zoom-passover-seder-rabbis-hit-back-at-critics-622494 another article] describes how some of the original rabbis who were lenient confirmed their opinions.</ref>
#It is suggested to perform a pre-pesach zoom seder for people who you can't invite to your seder in order to share divrei torah, songs, and the experience of the seder before Yom Tov.<ref>[https://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/432065 Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon]</ref>
#It is suggested to perform a pre-pesach zoom seder for people who you can't invite to your seder in order to share divrei torah, songs, and the experience of the seder before Yom Tov.<ref>[https://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/432065 Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon]</ref>
#For someone who is clinically depressed to the point that there is a concern of suicide or just losing one's mind it is permitted to use a phone to call him to cheer him up and check on him. However, if there's a way to check the patient before Pesach one should do so.<ref>[http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-Corona-2-Mar-25-2020.pdf Rav Herschel Schachter (teshuva Adar 29 5780)]. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgm9gww30vkgw7s/_Rabbi_Willig_Shailos_03_25_2020_.mp3?dl=0 Rav Willig (min 24)] agrees that we violate Shabbat for someone who is suicidal but they can use the phone.</ref> A person should check with his rabbi in each case.
#For someone who is clinically depressed to the point that there is a concern of suicide or just losing one's mind it is permitted to use a phone to call him to cheer him up and check on him. However, if there's a way to check the patient before Pesach one should do so.<ref>[http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-Corona-2-Mar-25-2020.pdf Rav Herschel Schachter (teshuva Adar 29 5780)]. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgm9gww30vkgw7s/_Rabbi_Willig_Shailos_03_25_2020_.mp3?dl=0 Rav Willig (min 24)] agrees that we violate Shabbat for someone who is suicidal but they can use the phone.</ref> A person should check with his rabbi in each case.