The Unites States government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act [CARES Act] on March 26, 2020 which allocated $2 trillion to help the country recover from the effects of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 [COVID-19]. This act includes loans for major industries and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus.… Read the rest
Day: April 2, 2020
Rav Hershel Schachter, Rabbi Isaac Elhanan Theological Seminary
… Read the restIn the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. All praises to Allah, the Creator and Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings on His servant and Messenger Muhammad, his family and companions and all those who follow them until the end of times.… Read the rest
We are writing with the guidance of our Poskim, Harav Hershel Schachter שליט״א, Harav Asher Weiss שליט״א, and Harav Modechai Willig שליט״א, concerning the issue of Mikvah use during the current pandemic.
While the unfailing dedication of Jewish women to this practice is profoundly inspiring, we must address its safety with the utmost seriousness, both for the sake of public health, and to allay fears.… Read the rest
Please find below a letter from Rabbi Joshua Heller, chair of the CJLS rites and ritual subcommittee providing guidance for communities affected by COVID-19. Thanks to Rabbis Pamela Barmash, Susan Grossman and Ashira Konigsburg for contributions. Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS. … Read the rest
עם הוראות משרד הבריאות שאין להתפלל בציבור ופסק הרבנים להישמע להם, הרבה מעם ישראל החלו להתפלל במרפסות, ולצרף אליהם אנשים שונים שגם הם נמצאים במרפסת אחרת (מה שמכונה “מניין מרפסות”), הדבר מאפשר להם להתפלל לכאורה בציבור וגם לשמור על הנחיות משרד הבריאות.… Read the rest
What does loving your neighbor look like during this Covid-19 season? In Luke 10, when Jesus sends out the 72 to all the towns where Jesus himself was planning to visit in the near future, he tells them to do very practical, everyday things (eat and drink with them; pray for them; heal the sick; remain with them), all in the posture of one who is bringing the peace of God and proclaiming that the kingdom of God is near.… Read the rest
Tearfund: COVID-19 Guidance for the Local Church (undated, before April 2)… Read the rest
Since March 4, 2020, I have been asked many halakhic questions about the current crisis by rabbis and laypeople living in Israel, the US, France, Argentina, Chile and Ukraine. Some of the questions have been asked multiple times. I answered all of the questions as they came in.… Read the rest
