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 and social distancing<ref>[https://www.kimizion.org/maamar/5780_5784/keter.pdf Rav Aviner (Keter Yitnu Lecha p. 34)] interestingly describes the sources in general about the Jewish view on handshaking and whether it is a [[Chukot Hagoyim]]. The poskim hold that in it isn't however, at this time it is forbidden because of the health concerns.</ref> set up by the government and other local institutions 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], [https://www.kimizion.org/maamar/5780_5784/keter.pdf Rav Shlomo Aviner (Keter Yitnu Lecha p. 34)], and RCBC letters. An article on [https://www.kikar.co.il/abroad/354170.html kikar.co.il] describes how the gedolim are currently davening privately including: the Gerre rebbe, Rav Shalom Kohen, Rav Gershon Edelstein, Rav Moshe Shternbuch, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Sanser Rebbe, Rav Bakshi Doron, Rav Dovid Yosef, Bavian Rebbe, and Rav Sheiner. | All rabbinim agree that one should be cautious with all the health guidelines and social distancing<ref>[https://www.kimizion.org/maamar/5780_5784/keter.pdf Rav Aviner (Keter Yitnu Lecha p. 34)] interestingly describes the sources in general about the Jewish view on handshaking and whether it is a [[Chukot Hagoyim]]. The poskim hold that in it isn't however, at this time it is forbidden because of the health concerns.</ref> set up by the government and other local institutions 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], [https://www.kimizion.org/maamar/5780_5784/keter.pdf Rav Shlomo Aviner (Keter Yitnu Lecha p. 34)], and RCBC letters. An article on [https://www.kikar.co.il/abroad/354170.html kikar.co.il] describes how the gedolim are currently davening privately including: the Gerre rebbe, Rav Shalom Kohen, Rav Gershon Edelstein, Rav Moshe Shternbuch, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Sanser Rebbe, Rav Bakshi Doron, Rav Dovid Yosef, Bavian Rebbe, and Rav Sheiner. | ||
*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> Coronavirus, 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 re-strengthen 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]]. [https://www.kimizion.org/maamar/5780_5784/keter.pdf Rav Aviner (Keter Yitnu Lecha)] wrote many lengthy pieces on the hashkafic questions related to COVID19. | *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. | ||
* [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=133917 Rav Asher Weiss (Dec 16 2020)] updates the situation about how important it to listen to the doctors and wear masks. Rav Chaim Kanievsky (Asya Corona Volume, p. 50) agreed that one must follow the doctors and be careful and if he endangers others he is like a rodef. Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Asya Corona p. 47) wrote that there is no halachic factor that could possibly allow violating the medical strictures in the context of corona.</ref> Coronavirus, 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 re-strengthen 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]]. [https://www.kimizion.org/maamar/5780_5784/keter.pdf Rav Aviner (Keter Yitnu Lecha)] wrote many lengthy pieces on the hashkafic questions related to COVID19. | |||
* Rav Asher Weiss ("Safek Bidud" Nissan 5780) wrote that a person who isn't sure if they were exposed to someone with the virus should quarantine since we are strict on safek nefashot.</ref> Additionally, on a practical level, COVID19 has many implications for people, and below is a small collection of the relevant halachot. | * Rav Asher Weiss ("Safek Bidud" Nissan 5780) wrote that a person who isn't sure if they were exposed to someone with the virus should quarantine since we are strict on safek nefashot.</ref> Additionally, on a practical level, COVID19 has many implications for people, and below is a small collection of the relevant halachot. | ||
==Vaccine== | |||
# The poskim recommend taking the corona vaccine.<ref>[http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/e/121920-show-302/ Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky on Headlines (min 23)] stated that if one's doctor recommends taking the vaccine that one should do so. [http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/e/121920-show-302/ Rav Schachter on Headlines] thought that everyone should take the vaccine but if someone is worried about taking vaccines they are not obligated to. [http://www.torahbase.org/%d7%94%d7%97%d7%99%d7%a1%d7%95%d7%9f-%d7%9c%d7%a7%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%94/ Rav Osher Weiss] agreed in a lengthy teshuva. [https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/featured/1930228/watch-it-hagaon-harav-chaim-kanievsky-people-are-required-to-take-vaccine-dont-be-afraid.html Rav Chaim Kanievsky] holds that it is an obligation to take the vaccine since it is a practical effort, ''hishtadlut'', to be health.</ref> | |||
#Some poskim advise saying the bracha of [[Hatov Vehameitiv]] when receiving the vaccine because it is good news for everyone. It is made upon the first vaccine.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/981904/rabbi-hershel-schachter/mikeitz-5781/ Rav Schachter in a shiur (Miketz 5781, min 63-4)] and also [https://youtu.be/ca_PMw4BOdg an interview] after he and Rabbi Willig received the vaccine. [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/982201/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-should-one-recite-a-beracha-or-say-a-tefilah-on-receiving-the-covid-vaccine-/ Rav Aryeh Lebowitz] agreed and explained it further. Rav Asher Weiss felt that no bracha is made upon it. Rav Shlomo Aviner (Tevet 5 5781, Sheilat Shlomo p. 682) also thought no bracha is recited.</ref> Additionally, everyone agrees that one should recite the tefillah for doing any medical procedure. The text is: יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלקי שיהא עסק זה לרפואה כי רופא חנם אתה.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 230:4, [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/982201/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-should-one-recite-a-beracha-or-say-a-tefilah-on-receiving-the-covid-vaccine-/ Rav Aryeh Lebowitz] </ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to violate [[Shabbat]] for receiving the vaccine, however, it is permitted to do [[amirah lnochri]] to get to the hospital, but they should not leave the hospital after taking the vaccine.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/982201/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-should-one-recite-a-beracha-or-say-a-tefilah-on-receiving-the-covid-vaccine-/ Rav Aryeh Lebowitz (Ten Minute Halacha)], [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/981805/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/from-the-rabbi-s-desk-corona-vaccine-on-shabbos/ Rav Aryeh Lebowitz (From the Rabbi's Desk)]. The actual taking the vaccine is not a melacha. The data being entered into the computer on Shabbat it is permitted since the non-Jew is doing it and not on one's command or for one's benefit. Since it is permitted to do amirah lenochri it is best to arrange a non-Jew to transport one to take one to the hospital from before Shabbat. The source of Rabbi Lebowitz's opinion is this teshuva of [http://www.torahbase.org/%d7%94%d7%97%d7%99%d7%a1%d7%95%d7%9f-%d7%9c%d7%a7%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%94/ Rav Osher Weiss].</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to jump the line, to get a vaccine before the government warrants you to get it by bribing someone to do that. Doing so is putting someone else at risk.<ref>[http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/e/121920-show-302/ Rav Hershel Schachter on Headlines (min 33)]</ref> | |||
==[[Tefillah]]== | ==[[Tefillah]]== | ||
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#If a person is eating together with others and for health concerns are eating outside if they want to eat in the Sukkah on Simchat Torah they need to invalidate the Sukkah. They can use a Shlock to cover the Schach if they have that set up. Alternatively, they can ask a non-Jew to remove some schach.<Ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/972499/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-56-simchas-torah/ Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #56)]</ref> | #If a person is eating together with others and for health concerns are eating outside if they want to eat in the Sukkah on Simchat Torah they need to invalidate the Sukkah. They can use a Shlock to cover the Schach if they have that set up. Alternatively, they can ask a non-Jew to remove some schach.<Ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/972499/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-56-simchas-torah/ Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #56)]</ref> | ||
==Chanuka== | |||
# If there is an outdoor minyan or a minyan not in an established shul there is a dispute whether they should light Chanuka candles there.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/980098/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-57-lighting-chanuka-candles-in-shul/ Rav Hershel Schachter (Piskei Corona #57)] wrote that there's no obligation to light for a minyan in a place that it isn't a shul even if they have been davening there for months. [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=132525 Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Vayishlach 5781, min 28)] disagreed. He felt that they should light Chanuka candles with a bracha any place that they are davening with a minyan even outdoors.</ref> | |||
==Shalom Bayit== | ==Shalom Bayit== | ||
