NEW YORK (VINnews) — A new Psak from Yeshiva University Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel Shachter permits washing hands and using alcohol gel on Tisha B’Av under certain conditions.
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Rabbi Shachter distinguishes between those who religiously wear masks and maintain social distance and hygiene in accordance with CDC guidelines and those who are less stringent regarding these rules. Regarding the former Rabbi Shachter says that they view the virus as a Safeik Sakana, a potential danger and therefore during the present period they would be allowed to wash and use alcohol gel, whereas those who are not so stringent would be forbidden to use disinfectant or wash since during the year they rely on “Hashem preserves the simplehearted” (Tehillim 116:6). In other words one who is flippant and is careless about the other rules cannot say that he needs to wash his hands as protection against the virus. If someone is disregarding the other rules of the CDC, he cannot insist on this one, and washing would remain prohibited.
I will do the same as I did the passed many many years.
Interesting that he doesn’t pasken on “safek sakana” — requiring people to wear masks, and socially distance. As usual, these guys play it safe with their carefully chosen words not to offend anyone they know. “No beitzem Hershel”
I don’t understand.
1. Why does one’s “negligence” in wearing a mask make any difference in the halacha of hand-washing on 9 Av? What if one is careful to wash hands/sanitize all the time? Why should they lose out on that viNishmartem on 9 Av just because they don’t wear a mask?
2. Who said that these people are, in fact, relying on Shomer pisaim Hashem, as he asserts?
It would likely be very wise to ask one’s local Orthodox Rabbi about this.
No clue why a heter is needed. Just wear gloves for a day
if someone smokes, speeds or skydives can he wash his hands on Tisha B’Av, asking for a friend.
How about showers I say be machmir and show some Aveilus and refrain from showers the whole 9 days except Erev Shabbos take a Luke warm shower
Rabbi Dr. Glatt in his email sent on July 23, 2020 specifically asked Rabbi Schachter about masks. I am placing in quotations the content. “I also discussed with HaRav Schachter whether one needs to mask solely because others have a pikuach nefashos concern. He reiterated – you are halachically obligated to mask if other people are concerned about spread of COVID-19 even if you personally do not think there is any reason to be concerned.”
I’m gonna wash my hands because Ii live in washington heights .
Why the fuss. Everyone should follow their own LOR. No need to minimize or ridicule another Rav just because you have a different opinion.
VIN, It’s Shachter. Not Shechter.
1. Rabbi Hershel Schachter is an ilui, has a photographic memory, is a huge “uhnuv”, and a REAL Talmud Chochim & Poisek.
2. His Tisha B’Av hand washing psak is similar to the halacha of making Havdala on wine on Motzei Shabbos during the 9 days (or even eating meat afterwards for Melava Malkeh).
3. Anyone who would post anything disrespectful of Rabbi Schachter is an ignoramus; Rabbi Schachter is the Real Thing.
BSD
The Rav was speciifically discussing hand washing here so thats all he mentioned. There is no indication by him to be Maikel regarding masks.
On top of that many variant Rabbanim have suggested that one of the lessons to be learned from tge masks is “be careful what you say and where and when you say it.” So to insult Rav Shechter might just be counterproductive to your mask ca
I am conservative, is it ok if I ask my lcr