NEW YORK (JNS) – As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage throughout the world and within Jewish communities—and especially in light of the new virus variants discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa—public-health guidance dictates continued mask-wearing and social distancing, and vaccination as soon as possible.
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The Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America note that these mitigation efforts against COVID-19 are a halachic responsibility, fulfilling the value of pikuach nefesh—preserving and protecting life.
Along with practical efforts of mitigation, the two Jewish organizations advise that Jews can engage in tefillah, both privately and publicly.
In that spirit, the OU and Rabbinical Council of America join the call that was issued on Tuesday by Chief Rabbi David Lau, in consultation with HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky, for a national day of tefillah on Jan. 21 (8 Shevat).
Individuals and synagogues are urged to make efforts to intensify their tefillot and to add appropriate prayers and tehillim, specifically Psalms 13, 20, 121, 130 and 142.
They are said in the hope for an end to the pandemic, and healing and restoration to those who have experienced loss, illness and struggle.
No reason to pray. Educated Archie said it’s just a mild flu.
If we want the pandemic to cease, a call by all the Rabbonim for all to wear masks properly and socisl distance peoperly, keep windows open , only to pray outdoors or individuslly in your home.
Those who do not do as they should- should have a Herem- a ban – placed on them, and their names should be broadcast everywhere that no one is to communicate with him or her.
That would definitely encourage people to do what is right.
There is no room for arrogance!!
Let us pray for clarity of thought in order to see beyond the facade of ‘herd immunity’ as the cause of the world’s continued woes in this and past epidemics, and approach more intelligent core reasons for the current global health problems facing us including finding greater respect for independent, non-commercially sponsored research about the vaccines.
Also, let’s remain more open-minded about the research regarding the dangers of microwave telecommunication towers, satellites and related devices being incited as a significant cause for these issues–as electrical- and radio- based technologies have been in the past — for over 200 years!
Let’s also pray for the return in NYS of the Childhood Vaccination Exemption that was repealed in 2019 in a slyly-called motion in Albany with little time to organize a protest.
This was repeal was put forth due to fear of ‘lack of herd immunity’ by ‘too many families opting out of recommended vaccines’.
Herd immunity is fallacious science and its theory is tainted. To forcibly inject someone is also against human rights–even as put forth in the Nuremberg Trials. Let us defend and maintain our rights, and our children’ rights in NYS–as most other states have who maintain vaccine exemptions.
The yeshivos must allow for non-vaccinated children when these rights exist as well–and not be ‘frummer’ than the state laws for no reason.
There was a hearing pending to reconsider the repeal just a few months ago, but it was not handled professionally by the government officials in charge, and was postponed and not yet rescheduled. This itself is worth the ‘Yom Iyun’.