Rosh Yeshiva and the Av Beis Din of the Eidah Chareidis, Hagaon HaRav Moshe Sternbuch announced on Thursday that it is a matter of Pikuah Nefesh, and people must distance themselves from others. “It is Pikuach Nefesh, one must listen to the instructions of their doctors. If Chas Vesholom people don’t listen now, there is a serious worry that the doctors will no longer be able to save anyone. Torah learning should be done only in small groups inside people’s homes and while people are sitting far away from one another.”
HaRav Shternbuch also instructed that all Shuls and Yeshivos be closed, as well as minyanim that take place in bomb shelters or basements or any other place that isn’t ventilated well.
Earlier in the week, members of the Eidah Charedis gathered in Rav Sternbuch’s home to discuss what to do with the yeshivos in light of the new instructions from the Health Ministry. During that meeting, the decision was given that the Yeshivos would continue with learning Torah. Today that decision was reversed and it was decided that all institutions will be closed until further notice.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
Its been apparent for several weeks that this Virus strain is deadly and easily transmitted yet some rabbonim and askonim refused to issue closing orders. Same for some politicians who initially insisted it was a “hoax”. Better late than never but there are likely to be lives that might have been save had such action been taken earlier.
They must realize that they as Gedaliom who are older will be killed by this if they do not stop the large gatherings now!
Oy vey, the incorrect half measures will result in more yidden dying. I give up trying to warn people. I can’t do it anymore. If people value life so little why would they listen to someone like me telling them to be careful here. A friend just sent a voice note crying out from his bed for people to be careful and this is nothing like the flu, and his was a mild case. There is no place for him to get tested or treated as he is not sick enough (i.e. requiring intubation) so just stay home.
I have shed many tears over this knowing what is coming. I promise you in a short time R’ Sternbuch if he is still alive and well, will rule that all gatherings, even small ones, even outside, are prohibited. Don’t wait for him to get the halacha right have some daas. If you don’t have enough daas to even recognize that this is an issue of pikuach nefesh, you surely don’t have enough daas to know who is a daas torah or not.
Only a week late. If you think I’m being disrespectful then consider that we put our full trust in gedolim. In return they need to fulfill their roles as protectors as well as poskin. In sections of the Haredi world people literally defer major decisions to rebbaim.
I hope the members of the Eidah didn’t gather together again to reverse the original decision!
Why are shuls legally allowed to be open now? It’s stupidity and I hope we dont end up paying for it with lives.