By Achiezer
We refrained from sending any earlier emails as there is no reason to panic or concern anyone unnecessarily. We also know that, in light of previous experience, our community is anxious and we therefore felt it prudent to send out one email at this juncture.
The following update will provide some key points regarding Hurricane Joaquin:
If there is any sort of imminent threat or concerning update, we promise to disseminate such information in a timely fashion.
At this point there is absolutely no discussion or decision of any sort of evacuation.
The latest updates from the National Weather Service indicate that the storm may turn away and while we all know these forecasts can change by the moment, we certainly hope that this will be the case.
Regardless, the NWS forecast for the next several days is windy and rainy. High winds can down trees and power lines and cause significant damage. For the safety of your own families and that of your neighbors please be sure to secure and tie down your Succahs to the best of your ability.
If you have a question as to whether or not your Succah should be taken down earlier than usual, please be sure to consult your personal Rav.
Finally, we are thankful to have been in touch every couple of hours with Assemblyman Goldfeder, the OEM, Scott Stringer’s office, local NYC and Nassau Police Precincts, Hatzalah and other organizations. We will send out joint updates if and when they become necessary.
Wishing everyone an enjoyable Succos and a Chag Sameach.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
I just got the following
SHABBAT PROTOCOLS IN CASE OF A HURRICANE OR OTHER DISASTERS
Developed by Rabbi Kenneth Brander with profound thanks to Rav Hershel Schachter shlita for his guidance.
If a hurricane occurs on Shabbat or Yom Tov, stay home. In the case of Shabbat, we will lain two parshiyot next week.
If there is no electricity on Shabbat or Yom Tov but storm is over. If safe…
• Minyan only during daylight hours
• Shacharit _____am.
• Mincha will be held at ______.
• Parshat _________ will be read next week for those unable to attend shul this week.
• If there is electricity, services will be held as regularly scheduled.
Assume no Eruv
• Carrying permitted for life/limb threatening situations.
• Carrying permitted for individuals who need medical attention without which a person’s functionality is compromised, even for a bed-ridden headache. In this case carrying should be done, if possible, in an irregular fashion (i.e. carrying medicine in one’s belt or shoe).
• Carrying permitted to allow a baby, infirm senior, someone with psychological challenges, or a child/adult traumatized by the event to function without compromise. In this case, carrying should be done, if possible, in an irregular fashion.
Use of Candles, Glowsticks & Flashlights
• Hang/place lit flashlights with fresh batteries in key locations before Shabbat and Yom Tov.
• It is recommended to use LED flashlights over incandescent flashlights because they will last longer. Some claim to even last 48 hours.
• Light yahrzeit or hurricane candles before Shabbat and place them in designated locations.
• Be careful about using candles in an area that might cause a fire.
• Glowsticks, if possible, they should be opened before Shabbat.
• A point of consideration: Open glow sticks prior to Shabbat and then freeze them. This decelerates the chemical reaction allowing them to last longer (when removed from the freezer).
• In a state of darkness and there are no prepared glow sticks, it would certainly be permitted to ask a Gentile to crack the glow stick and, when that option is not available, a Jew him/herself would be permitted to do so to insure that no trauma nor any other physical danger adversely affect any individual.
If Flashlight/Candle goes out:
• When necessary (to take care of children, to eat etc…) and there is no other light, a Gentile can relight or change batteries.
• If not having the light may create a life threatening situation, one may do so oneself.
Moving a Flashlight is permitted.
Moving Candles is permitted in the following situations:
• For any medical concerns no matter how slight.
• For the comfort and welfare of seniors and children under eight (or above eight years old when child is traumatized by the event).
Television or Radio
• TV or radio should be left on in a side room.
• A streaming radio app set up before Shabbat/Yom Tov can also be used in a side room (this might not be such a good suggestion as a lost internet connection may affect the app)
• The TV or radio should only be used to listen to the news
• Channel should not be changed.
• Volume on radio (if dials are not digital) may be adjusted on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Better to keep it on low for it preserves the battery and only raise volume if necessary.
Sukkot, Shemeni Atzeret & Simchat HaTorah
• If the weather forecast is for winds of over 40 mph there is a serious danger that the sukkah will become flying debris which can create dangerous projectiles and should be dismantled before Shabbat/Yom Tov.
• If there is a concern of schach flying around (in winds that are less than 40 mph winds) then the schach can be tied down even with plastic cable ties.
• If schach needs to be replaced or tied down on the sukkah on Shabbat or Yom Tov in can be done by a Gentile.
• If there is concern about going to shul on Simchat Torah morning – Vezot ha’Bberakha can be read on the night of Simchat Torah in five aliyot. Alternatively should the storm pass by Simchat Torah afternoon then hakafot and torah reading can be read at an early mincha on Simchat Torah.