At this time of global pandemic and the urgent need to stop the spread of Coronavirus, we Jews find ourselves caught between a number of dearly held values. We have the desire and significant precedent of coming together in times of crisis, especially to celebrate holidays and observe family milestones, and we also understand the need to separate and physically distance ourselves from one another for the sake of the health and wellbeing of all of us.… Read the rest
Category: Passover (Page 2 of 2)
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 Aaron Alexander, Pamela Barmash and Ashira Konigsburg for contributions. Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS. … Read the rest
If the government or a physician has decided that an individual must remain in isolation over the course of Yom Tov and this individual has a psychological condition where physicians who know this patient have determined that there is a possibility that this person being alone over the course of Yom Tov would be in a situation of pikuach nefesh (possible suicide) if the individual was not able to communicate or speak with family members, then the family members must reach out to this person over Yom Tov to speak on the phone or use the internet by leaving a connection open from before Yom Tov.… Read the rest
Needless to say, this year’s Passover will offer new and particularly complicated challenges to the many observances associated with holiday. In this update, we will offer some guidance for those affected by COVID-19.
Though we are all experiencing the impact of COVID-19, different geographic areas differ in particular challenges, and often at different times.… Read the rest
Questions and answers with Rav Hershel Schachter shlit”a, regarding situations arising from the coronavirus crisis. Transcribed by Rabbi Pini Dunner (assisted by Michael Bernstein). This transcript has been approved by Rav Hershel Schachter. With many thanks to Rabbi Marc Dratch of the RCA, who posed the questions to Rav Schachter, and to Rabbi Aryeh Richter for adding the footnotes (see PDF download).… Read the rest
How is this Passover different than all other Passovers?
On all other Passovers there were no pandemics, but on this Passover, COVID-19 plagues the world.
Passover is a time when many gather with friends and family or join together in community seders.… Read the rest
“The world is a narrow bridge, the important thing is to not be afraid.” – Rav Nachman of Breslov
Today we learned of the first verified COVID-19 case in the State of Maine. After outbreaks in other parts of our country, it was inevitable that this virus would arrive in our backyard, and now we must respond in ways that are appropriate for our community.… Read the rest