By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com

There is new information released yesterday about the Corona virus that, in this author’s view, changes the halacha about temperature interactions in both public and private places.

There is a very famous psak of Rav Yisroel Salanter about whenever one person wants the window open and the other wants it closed.

Rav Yisroel Salanter ruled that during winter, if someone wishes that the windows be shut – his opinion has preference.  During summer, on the other hand, if someone wishes that the windows be open – then his opinion must be followed.  In both cases, this ruling applies even if the vast majority of the others disagree.  Rav Salanter cited a proof to this ruling from the Mishna in Pe’ah 4:1:

“The Peah, corner of the field is given [to the poor] while connected to the ground. It is given from vines and palm trees, and the property owner goes down and collects and distributes them for the poor [because it may be dangerous for the poor people to climb]. Rabbi Shimon says: It is also given for smooth nut trees. Even if ninety-nine [of the poor people] say to distribute and one says to leave it for the poor to take for themselves when they can, we listen to him because he spoke true halacha.”

We see from here, Rav Salanter noted, that regarding deviating from the expected norm, the one poor person can force the other ninety nine to take the Peah for themselves and not have the owner do it for them.

RAV CHAIM KANIEVSKY’S OPINION

But not everyone agrees with Rav Salanter.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky in his Sefer on Mishnayos Pe’ah entitled Shaarei Emunah disagrees with Rav Yisroel Salanter and holds that the view of the majority must still be followed.  Rav Kanivsky brings a proof from the conclusion of Mishna Brurah in 53:53.

The Agur and the Maharik (Shoresh 44) citing Rabbi Simcha states that even one individual can prevent another from becoming a Shliach Tzibbur [if he had good reason according to the Ramah and if he had not previously agreed to it].  The Shulchan Aruch codifies this view in OC 53:19.  However, the Mishna Brurah cites the view of the Acharonim that the law of the Shulchan Aruch was specifically in those days, but nowadays, due to the abundance of our sins, there are so many people who are argumentative and confrontational that no one would agree on anything if we were to listen to the minority or individual views – therefore, everything must be done by sticking to the desire of the majority.

Rav Shmuel HaLevi Vosner (1914-2015) zt”l in his Shaivet HaLevi Vol. IX #298 also rules that the will of the majority must be followed in these cases.

The Sefer Mishp’tei HaTorah Vol. I #89 concurs with this view and goes so far as to state that since cold weather is damaging in the winter to others – they are considered like an istenis – one who is particularly sensitive or felixitous and cannot act any differently.  Whomsoever is with the public during these times is there with this in mind and therefore must acquiesce to the desires of the majority.  He bases this on the view of the Shulchan Aruch and Rama in CM 155:39.

And while the rule of the majority may apply to windows and fans – this is not necessarily the case regarding air conditioner units.  The Shaivet HaLevi Vol. VIII #307 and Rav Meir Pinchasi in his Toras HaYeshiva page 278 both are the view that air conditioners are fundamentally different than windows and fans and one cannot say that the principle of istenis would apply regarding a modern day air conditioner.

WHAT ABOUT IF PART OF THE ROOM IS COLDER THAN THE OTHERS?

Clearly, when a section of the office, room or shul is air-conditioned and the worker who is too cold has another option – then it is obvious that other worker cannot force those who want it cooler to raise the temperature.  (See Shaivet haLevi Vol. IX #298).

While there may be halachic parameters as to whose view gets precedence, we must bear in mind that there is another Torah Mitzvah in compromising.  Taking this approach in life and especially during the Yomim Noraim will ensure that we have a positive judgement.

The verse in Parshas VaEschanan (Dvarim 6:18), “V’asisa hayashar vehatov and you shall do that which is straight and good” teaches us that we must take into account the opposing view whenever we embark upon something. The Bais Yoseph in Choshain Mishpat 103 uses this verse in this manner as normative halacha. It is a Torah Mitzvah to approach things fairly.

THE NEW INFORMATION

Yesterday, researchers released their findings that the Corona virus remains in the air for 3 to 42 hours after the person left the area.  It also remains on surfaces for some 72 hours after it was touched by someone who was infected.

The implications of this first point of information are that windows need to be open – and if possible, to create a cross-ventilation by opening windows directly across from each other.

IMPLICATIONS

This would mean that whether it is winter or summer, it is prudent to always open up windows on account of safety issues.  Even Rav Yisroel Salanter would agree to this ruling, on account of the issue of Pikuach Nefesh.

The author can be reached at [email protected]