FIRST TIME SINCE COVID: Chief Rabbis: Do Not Hold Minyanim in Shul

In light of the current matzav, the chief rabbis and the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas have issued a call, providing guidance on how to conduct ourselves during these perilous times and stressing the need for complete adherence to the instructions of the security establishment.

In their letter, the gedolim ruled that all tefillos b’tzibbur in batei knesses must be suspended. Under the heading “Eis tzarah hee l’Yaakov u’mimenu yivoshea”, and invoking the posuk, “Ki savo’u milchamah b’artzechem al hatzar hatzorer es’chem…vaharei’osem b’chatzotzros, unizkartem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem venoshatem mei’oyveichem”, they called upon the tzibbur to increase their tefillos this Shabbos. They specified the recitation of kappitlach Tehillim 20, 121, and 130, and Avinu Malkeinu.

The letter makes it clear: “There should be no gatherings in open areas or in buildings,” which means that batei knesses across Eretz Yisroel should remain closed this Shabbos and people are to daven in their homes.

The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas added a moving plea to “be marbeh tefillah u’techinah to Avinu shebaShomayim, that He should have rachamim on His am segulah … and that our chayalim succeed in their shlichus kodesh and return home safely.”

They also emphasized that “it is obvious that every directive of the government … must be strictly followed,” clearly stating that tefillos in batei knesses should not take place if they are not in line with security instructions.

The gedolei Yisroel further underscored the unmatched power of limud haTorah, urging bnei hayeshivos “to strengthen themselves in hasmadah and ameilus baTorah, day and night, without any interruption, for it is the Torah hakedoshah that stands as our protection in times of sakanah.”

Rav Dov Landau, upon being updated last night on the evolving security situation, stated, “We are in a sha’as sakanah and must increase both limud haTorah and tefillah for the shemirah of Am Yisroel.” He immediately canceled a scheduled asifah of roshei yeshivah, took a sefer Tehillim in hand, and began to daven.

{Matzav.com}