Baltimore Jewish Life Newsroom, March 25
Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer, President of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore, explains that any one who made a kabalah yesterday to fast today, whether a half day or whole, should not fast due to the Coronavirus situation and the obligation upon everyone to maintain their strength and health. The kabala is considered a kabala bi’taus, a mistaken acceptance, as it was based on those who did not accurately translate or understand the letter from Rav Chaim, Shlita.
The main mission now is Teshuva and Tefila, and not through fasting.
May Hashem hear our Tefilos and bring Yeshuos to all of us.
For further understanding see the letter, below.
Letter by the Badatz of Lakewood, NJ, forbidding fasting on March 25 (an optional fast day).