The Chief Rabbis of Israel published a series of guidelines for the Passover in the shadow of the Corona • Burning chametz by throwing it in the garbage and dumping bleach, or throwing it in the toilet bowl

• Passover order in the shade of the corona. The Rabbis: "Do not make zoom calls" // Photo: Michelle Dot Com

Following the Corona crisis, the Chief Rabbis of Israel issued a series of halakhic guidelines on Passover.

In a document distributed by the rabbis, it was stated that the instructions were given after mutual consultation with all the professional bodies in the Ministry of Health and the National Security Council. The guidelines address a variety of topics, including prayers, selling chametz, raising tools and, of course, the "burning" question that has arisen recently - is it possible, in light of the situation, to celebrate Passover through the Zoom app.

Regarding the last question, the Chief Rabbis issued unequivocal instructions: The applet and electronic means should not be used at all to make a "family order", even during this period of national emergency. The message reads: "Recently, the possibility of using a computer on a good day has been raised, even where there is no danger or health or mental health concern, and its way to connect with software that will allow shared vision of families in different places. The prohibition of using electricity also exists on a good day. This will be done by Saturday clock no permit, and the voices heard on the subject are not authorized. "

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The rabbis also added in the letter: "The loneliness is painful, and it must be answered, perhaps even by talking through the computer on the eve of the holiday before it is entered, but not by holiday desecration and in a manner that allowed only in cases of mental supervision."

In addition to prohibiting the celebration of the feast of Zom, we also mentioned the chief rabbis in their letter in a number of other halakhic issues:

Public Prayer - On this issue, the rabbis expressed a unified line that aligns with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, according to which no one should pray in the minyan and everyone will pray in his home individually. They also added that worshipers would set a uniform prayer time for everyone, even though they were praying alone.

Mikvahs - On this topic, we noted that women's ritual baths are "strictly monitored" when it comes to disinfectants and cleaners, and therefore there is no fear of them being baptized. They also added that "the women of Israel must know that according to Halacha, baptism is purely a mikveh, and whoever bathes in a swimming pool or hot tub is not impervious to it." However, the rabbis ordered all the purity baths to be closed to men.

Mourning - In this case, the guidelines must be adhered to, and mourning can be done through media, telephone or e-mail.

Burning Chametz - Do not stay away from home for burning Chametz. The document states that "the wise man's eyes in his head will not leave much chametz. This year he will burn the chametz by throwing garbage and throwing bleach at it to eliminate dog eating, or if left a little bit she could chametz through the toilet."

Sale of chametz - Instead of the custom of selling chametz every year, this year, chametz can also be sold through the Chief Rabbinate of Israel website. It was also said that this year chametz could also be sold to those who made sure not to do so in other years. For places where you can't check the chametz because it can't be reached due to traffic restrictions, an early sale must be sold by Tuesday 13th in Nissan.

Tools - Get the tools you need at home training,

Tools can also be prepared in a home baking oven. These are only tools that do not have parts of wood, plastic or rubber. Keep completely clean in a clean oven (you do not need Kosher for Passover) and operate the oven on maximum heat for 20 minutes. The rabbinate emphasized that this option is only for the current year. We also recommended the purchase of disposable stoves for the oven.

Baptism of Tools - Since it is impossible to immerse tools in mikvahs, in order not to commit to the baptism of new tools, they can be given as a gift to a non-Jew and then borrowed from it. Only if it is not possible to impart directly to a non-Jew can this be done through the Chief Rabbinate of Israel website.