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

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], Rav Asher Weiss (Teleconference March 22 2020), [https://zoom.us/rec/play/7sJ8f-2h_Dw3T4KRtgSDC6AoW429LfqshnVI-_tcmkewVnQEZlDyMrYTarN3uUfeS8PCmTWJp298J75t Rav Schachter], RCBC letters. [https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/israel-news/1839949/showdown-despite-police-visit-to-harav-chaim-kanievsky-the-rav-says-that-yeshivas-chadarim-cannot-be-closed.html Rav Chaim Kanievsky] March 15 2020 held that the yeshivot should remain open against the government's health guidelines. It is to be seen if that policy will change. </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 corona has many implications for people and here is a small collection of relevant halachot.