Guidance on the psychological and spiritual needs of healthcare workers, therapists (counsellors), chaplains and imams and scholars during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 11, 2020)… Read the rest
Author: David Freidenreich (Page 9 of 22)
Dear Chevra,
… Read the rest
We hope that this update finds you well – healthy, and taking care of yourselves, your families, and your communities and institutions. These challenging times have certainly reminded us how critical our work is as rabbis.
Since we initially distributed funeral guidelines in late March, medical experts and public-health officials have learned much, and societal norms in combating COVID-19 have evolved.
published on ejewishphilanthropy.com
As the weeks of mandated physical separation continue there is a growing and understandable desire around the world to reopen businesses and other institutions as quickly as possible.
Failing economies and ballooning job loss create tremendous economic pressure on our families and threaten the viability of our institutions.… Read the rest
The American Jewish community, like all faith communities, is suffering and in pain at this moment of pandemic and illness – and has risen to the challenges we face with grace, fortitude, heroism and beauty.
We grieve all the lives lost and pray that their memories become blessings for all of us and we offer comfort and condolence to all who mourn.… Read the rest
Rambam writes in Hilchos Rotzeach U’Shmiras Nefesh, (Laws concerning murder and preservation of life) 11:4:
… Read the restוְכֵן כָּל מִכְשׁל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ סַכָּנַת נְפָשׁוֹת מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה לַהֲסִירוֹ וּלְהִשָּׁמֵר מִמֶּנּוּ וּלְהִזָּהֵר בַּדָּבָר יָפֶה יָפֶה. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ד׳:ט׳) הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ וּשְׁמֹר נַפְשְׁךָ [מְאֹד]. וְאִם לֹא הֵסִיר וְהֵנִיחַ הַמִּכְשׁוֹלוֹת הַמְּבִיאִין לִידֵי סַכָּנָה בִּטֵּל מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה וְעָבַר בְּלֹא תָשִׂים דָּמִים (דברים כ״ב:ח׳):
Similarly, any obstacle which has the potential to endanger life — we are charged[2] to remove it, to be watchful of it, and to be very, very vigilant in this matter.
As the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths continues to rise across all regions of the world, Ahmed Al-Dawoody, ICRC’s legal advisor on Islamic law, and Oran Finegan, head of forensics for the ICRC, explain how forensic science and Islamic burial laws can safeguard dignified handling of the mortal remains of individuals who have died from the pandemic.… Read the rest
Sikh patient healthcare provider guidelines (undated, April 2020)… Read the rest
National Catholic Bioethics Center: The duty to care during a pandemic (April 29, 2020) [a preprint of an article forthcoming in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly]… Read the rest
Editor’s note: Rabbi Ambalu, a member of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors (UK), wrote this document to support and explain that organization’s decision in late March 2020 to forbid mourners from being present at funerals. As of June 1, revised guidelines allow up to five mourners to be physically present. … Read the rest
