The Torah teaches us that we are ‘to guard ourselves very well’ and to ‘guard ourselves and our souls’. Preserving life and health is a cornerstone of Judaism. The Talmud teaches that we are to ‘obey the law of the land.’
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that has caused unprecedented levels of serious illness in an alarmingly short period of time. What started off as ‘social distancing’ has now become ‘lockdowns’ in many places. ‘Flattening the curve’ and ‘essential and non-essential’ are words that are part of everyday vocabulary. Shuls, yeshivas, and mikvahs for men are all closed. A famous synagogue, Shomer Shabbos, has closed for the first time since it was opened over 100 years ago. Schools are closed until further notice, having been substituted with online and teleconference learning. Lines stretch out grocery stores as no more than 50 people are allowed in at any one time. There is even talk of shidduchim being made over Skype.
So why are there people who feel they can go against the law of the land – and in doing so- Torah law, and attempt to go around restrictions regarding gatherings during this period of time?
Last Shabbos morning (3/20/20) I noticed my neighbor across the street had a small tent up in their backyard. While shuls were closed, but gatherings of more than 10 had not yet been restricted, many men would use such tents and the areas around them to pray together as a quorum, adhering to the minimum of six feet distance required by social distancing. However, this Shabbos morning, even this was prohibited. It was right near the road, where anyone could see. So I went over, knocked on the door, told the child who answered to let me get away from the door, and called for their mother. I held a conversation with my neighbor (she inside, me outside with the door open a crack.) I asked her why there was a minyan in her backyard despite the restrictions.
“He called the Viznitzer Rav of Lakewood Friday afternoon, who said it was permitted to daven outside in a tent. And you see he is not out there alone, so they are the ones who are not following the restrictions.”
I begged her to talk to her husband: not just from the fact that the government forbade anyone to pray outdoors, much less a minyan with social distancing, but the fact that it would make a chillul Hashem (desecration of Hashem’s name). Her response. “My husband asked the Rav – if the Rav says it’s permitted, it’s permitted.” Shortly after I wished her a good Shabbos and left.
It wasn’t so long ago that Jewish communities were being accused of not vaccinating children properly and therefore spreading the worst measles outbreak since the early ‘90s. I cannot say if the lack of vaccination is responsible for the outbreak density in these areas, but data suggests that New York, New Jersey and Israel had some of the worst areas of infection.
And COVID-19 seems to suggest the same, at least in the US. The US now has the highest rate of cases of COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus). And, I am ashamed to report, there are Orthodox and Hasidic Jews that feel they are above the law. Weddings are being made with more than 50 people, as per restrictions.
770, the worldwide headquarters of Chabad, closed for the first time in its history on the 17th. On the 18th, the prayers merely moved to just outside.
In Lakewood, so far there have been 3 weddings that were reported broken up by authorities as being over the limit for the number of people allowed in one space. Two took place last week, and one took place yesterday (3/27/20). Ten days ago, in Boro Park, authorities broke up a wedding that was attended by more than 200 people.
The thing is though, that more people are compliant than not. More people are making weddings with family coming in shifts – staying for a little while then leaving. There are reports that engagements and bar and bat mitzvahs are being held on Skype and Zoom. People are following the guidelines in terms of only one person per family going out, and the rest staying in. As difficult as it is, children are being kept indoors as much as possible. Unfortunately, the few bad apples, as they say, spoil the bunch. Nobody bothers to pay attention to the good, we all know that. Good behavior doesn’t make news or perpetuate stereotypes.
In this day and age, where we ask for government assistance to protect us from anti-Semitism, who are we to disregard their requests to us? The USA, in comparison to other countries, is a place where Jews are allowed to be both inwardly and outwardly religious. There are liberties that are permitted here that are not permitted in other countries. How is it that there are those who feel they can disregard what is being asked – not just of Jews, but of everyone during this unimaginable period? If Jews are truly people of faith and compassion, how can one contemplate not abiding by the guidelines set down by the government and Agudah Israel? As a people, as a nation, we cannot act in ways that will draw even more hatred to us then there already is. The world doesn’t look too kindly on Jews in general – let’s not give them any more reason to do so.
SOURCES: https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/cops-break-up-2-large-weddings-for-defying-covid-19-rules.html https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/cops-break-up-another-lakewood-wedding-defying-coronavirus-rules.html https://www.cjnews.com/living-jewish/jewish-responses-to-the-coronavirusRabbi among 3 arrested for operating a mikvah in Buenos Aireshttps://boropark24.com/shomer-shabbos-iconic-13th-avenue-shul-closes-over-virus-fears/ https://washingtonjewishweek.com/64852/jta-roundup-latest-coronavirus-news-from-jewish-communities-around-the-world/news/ (3/16) https://www.torahmusings.com/2013/01/guard-yourselves-very-well/
Any Orthodox Jews Defying Lockdown Orders Are Inciting Antisemiteshttps://www.cnn.com/2020/03/26/health/coronavirus-thousand-deaths-thursday/index.html
