The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many of our lives and required us to distance ourselves from family and friends. This comes right upon Pesach, a time when typically we gather with friends and family to celebrate freedom, eat, discuss and give thanks right in our own homes.… Read the rest
Category: Passover (Page 1 of 2)
As we enter the holiday of Pesach during this time of crisis and upheaval, we are deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of some of the members of our community. The social isolation which is so necessary at this time can significantly impact a person’s mental or physical well-being.… Read the rest
With the upcoming Yom Tov rapidly approaching, Rabbi Billet asked me to put together some general guidelines for what to do if, rachmana leztlon, people get sick or are diagnosed with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 over Yom Tov.
We obviously are not intending to provide specific advice which only your physician should do.… Read the rest
As our nation and our world grapples with the ongoing critical struggle to contain the mortal threat of COVID-19, we offer the following words of guidance to our communities.
We are all joined in prayer for the success of these efforts at containment, and for a speedy recovery for all those already affected.… 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
Dear Greater Washington Jewish Community:
Unfortunately, there has been a significant rise in the number of COVID -19 cases in the Greater Washington Jewish community, and more generally in Maryland and East Coast metropolitan areas.
While we are all affected and unsettled by the current unprecedented challenge, we remain steadfast in our faith that Hashem will bring us all the strength to serve him properly even as we face this difficult time.… Read the rest
Rav Hershel Schachter, Rabbi Isaac Elhanan Theological Seminary
… Read the restIt has been suggested to utilize Zoom in order to connect families during the Seder Night.
Aside from the Halachic problems, this would also create serious practical problems. It is far more likely that this would cause great distress, rather than peace of mind.… Read the rest
This year, with the need to physically distance and isolate ourselves collectively so as to curtail the spread of COVID-19, community has become something even more precious. We cannot gather around the seder table as we do most years. We cannot come physically to synagogues to make a minyan.… Read the rest
