By COLlive reporter
With 3 cases of coronavirus being discovered in the Jewish community in Crown Heights, members of the local Beis Din issued a public letter with instructions on how locals should be dealing with the outbreak.
The main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway has already notified it will limit the crowds to under 500 people and Crown Heights schools are closing on Friday until further notice.
Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, Rabbi Yaacov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Braun signed on the public letter in Hebrew. Here’s a summary of their instructions:
1. There is an obligation to adhere completely to the instructions of doctors and the New York State Health Departement.
2. There should be no trying to “outsmart” on such matters, Heaven forbid.
3. This includes the instruction not to organize large events for crowds.
4. The same is for davening in a minyan at 770 etc.
5. A person should be more careful not to harm others, than not to be harmed himself (as per Tosfos).
6. Don’t be afraid and don’t scare others.
7. While following health instructions, one should not occupy the mind on health matters.
8. Add in Torah and Tefillah, especially reciting Tehillim and giving Tzedaka.
9. Learn Parshas Haketores with Rashi (which is in this week’s Parsha Ki Sisa).
10. Be careful not to speak during davening – Shachris, Mincha and Maariv.
11. Check Tefillin and Mezuzos (if you have not done so in the past 12 months).
12. Add in Mivtzoim – especially a letter on the unity Sefer Torahs and Mitzvah Matzah.
Shuls must make soap and paper towels available and encourage hand washing
Gotta be soap that’s ok for shabbos
what do the doctors/ hospitals suggest, regarding minyanim, and public gatherings?
I believe mivtzoim, physically, is not critical, so as to be conscious of the physical rulings to avoid the spread of the disease. However, discussing matters of mivtzoim, and of Torah, is just as pertinent, especially explaining that there are ten mivtzoim (and the additions- like Shemura Matzah on Pesach), and how to access and grow in them with a shturem.
can we get a clearer picture or printable PDF?
So 3 members of the community with ‘extensive’ contacts have the virus, so it’s pretty clear that there is a very high probability that there will be people in 770 carrying it and spreading it.
So why won’t they close 770? Are they waiting for an actual epidemic in our community r”l?
why have they not called for 770 to be closed. it is a hotbed for spreading germs of all kinds…specifically during a pandemic….this is beyond ridiculous
Should we avoid Shabbos meals and Social gatherings till corona is figured out?
not the family meals, but the lots-of-guests meals. It’s a good time for each person to actually think about his and her own private shabbos observance.
have dis-invited their guests. Community health takes priority over social events, even if we think they are essential. This goes also for weddings and lchaims, we need to rethink priorities.
to the new brides and grooms, but please do NOT go to the l’chaims, especially in small shuls!
The simcha of parents of a couple shouldn’t be celebrated in such a way as to potentially harm others. Maybe the rabbonim should also discourage – if not outlaw – these kinds of celebrations (that the Rebbe didn’t like anyway!)
rabbonim be responsible and close 770
please close 770
770 is still the Bais HaMikdash shebeBavel.While common sense with health issues is needed,to close 770 is a direct work of the Yetzer Harah.We won’t be harmed if we increase in Torah,Tefillah,and Maasim Tovim (mitzvos)
Here is part of the statement from the rabbinate of Bergen county. It explains why it is important for us to limit contact at this time: The message from the healthcare providers was clear. They need our help to slow the spread of the disease before their resources are overwhelmed. The doctors expressed significant concern regarding the capacity of our local hospitals to meet the growing needs of their patients in the event of a (expected) large surge in cases of COVID-19. They reported that while the amount of cases is still low, it seems to be increasing rapidly. Even… Read more »