[COMMUNICATED]
Israel is currently taking some of the strictest precautions in the world in order to stagger the spread of the coronavirus. This is highly necessary due to the once-booming tourist industry, as well as the many large families living on top of each other in crowded apartment housing. Some also speculate that the matter is being taken seriously due to the Minister of Health being a Gerrer chassid, who values life above all else.
Last night’s announcement, however, sent shockwaves of a new type of fear through the Israeli world: fear of going hungry. At 9pm last evening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that all ‘non-essential businesses’ would close indefinitely. Now just weeks before Pesach, many Israelis who live paycheck to paycheck are now bracing themselves for nearly 5 weeks without income. Layoffs have already begun as businesses plan for the worst.
Among those who are now without a financial plan are those of an even more vulnerable subgroup: individuals suffering from serious illness and their families. As the virus initially spread, many insisted that it was ‘only’ dangerous for the immunocompromised. Parents and spouses of those with cancer became fearful. For these individuals, catching the virus has a much higher level of risk.
Many of Israel’s poorest are currently battling some sort of chronic illness. Even with their income in place, they struggle to afford life-saving treatments for those they love. They spend days in and out of hospitals, which the public are now advised to only visit if absolutely necessary due to their foot traffic. Without jobs from now until after Pesach, they are essentially facing a death sentence.
There is some hope, however: Many of them are registered with Kupat Ha’Ir, which funnels them emergency funds received via their cholim fund. The cholim fund has gained more popularity lately due to a now very relevant bracha from Rav Chaim Kanievsky:
The Rav is quoted as saying that those who donate a significant sum to the cholim fund will be blessed to merit, midah k’neged midah, to have no illness in their own home.
During times of fear and suffering it is incumbent upon both the individual and the community to assess where they can improve. Teshuva is the ultimate tool in reversing harsh decrees, and at this current stage, the world’s fate seems to hang in the balance. Those who wish to do good – to bring blessing to themselves and to the world – can donate here for a limited time.
“SUFFOCATING”— shameful of you to allow such an inflamatory and mean spirited statement
it’s not inflammatory and mean spirited . It’s dramatic form of speech to draw attention.
Just fyi- whoever gets laid off in Israel is eligible to get 75 percent of it for 3 months from the government (bituach leumi)
One doesn’t get Bituach lLeumi if he is paid off the books.
And any who doesn’t serve in the army, has to work off the books. A vicious, hateful cycle.
Nu, go serve in the army like all other Israelis. ‘Shall your brothers go fight and you’ll stay here safely (with your sheep)?’ I wonder who said that.
yes dear shmuel, but unlike there where the army had a clearly defined purpose, in israel today the army’s purpose is very unclear and has a lot less to do with actual defense needs.
But dont worry, chareidim would be the FIRST to join and fight in an army under the command of Manhigei Hatorah. And watch then as the Chilonim would cower away in fear as chareidim would march in Bitachon, the days of Mashiach will come my freind, then the real cowards will be exposed
I also protest the word “suffocating” although it’s not Matzav who worded it – it appears on other websites as well, obviously a very, very poor “motzi shem ra” choice and shouldn’t be allowed.
It should be edited ASAP to something like:
Israel’s Poorest Suffer Due to Attempts to Curb Coronavirus
or
Israel’s Poorest Hard Hit from Attempts to Curb Coronavirus
Please tell Kupat hair that English-speaking Jews are offended by the current title and that they should have it changed wherever it appears.
Kupat HaIhr has more urgent concerns than your sensitivities. When you no gelt to pay for the groceries, rent, utilities, then they feel they are choking, yes suffocating. Just swallow the bitter pill, because their pill is way more bitter, and open your wallet wide !
Yeh, but what about those who were getting miziman?
Most people in Israel get paid on the books, regardless of whether they served in the army — me included. It’s very hard hard to run a business with miziman as there are frequent inspections etc.
It’s true that things are exceptions, and a lot of people need Tzedaka especially during this crazy time. Kupas Hair is also a *very good cause*. But such articles underestimate our intelligence. No one here is “facing a death sentence” because of lack of food. To the contrary, if they are really facing chronic illness, the harsh measures being taken here have a high chance of *saving* their life compared to New York… The first paragraph also has no achiza in metzius.
“Value life above all else”
I thought we all do.
nope, its only the religious people, especially Charedim
The Shul’s are closed so the shnorrers are out of business…
Your also a schnorrer, we all have times when we beg for something, whether its by advertising our business “please come to me” or trying to gain investors “please give me funding” and sometimes, people are left with no choice but to reach out their hand to others for handouts? YOu are a bal Geiva? you think these people are happy to do this? of course there are rama’im, but to brush all who need to ask in such a negative light? Wheres your jewish compassion?!
The ones who suffer the most are the Yidden who are stuck in dead-end burn-out jobs. They are the ones who get no benefits, never get a raise, salary is not inline with inflation. When there is no work or get laid off, they leave empty handed. Not everyone is capable/competent of working in a professional 6 figure salary job. For employers to take advantage of less fortunate Yidden in the workplace is a terrible matzav that Asid letain es hadin.
Daas Torah knows what’s best, parnassa is from the one above.
“Israel suffocates it’s poorest” A preposterous headline. I’m anti Zionism but this is ridiculous. If Israel is acting to preserve the life of its citizens then you can’t blame them for the loss of jobs. In Wuhan China & in Italy the economy is much worse off. An uncontrolled epidemic also ruins the economy. Please use responsible headlines to promote your tzedakah cause. This is very possibly a Chillul Hashem.