As Simchat Torah approaches and the traditional rounds of the holiday approach, Rabbi David Satyu, head of the Tzohar rabbinical organization and rabbi of Shoham, said that this year the honor of Torah is in keeping the public from contracting the corona virus.
Praying for the Priests' Blessing at the Western Wall, Sukkot 2021, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Therefore, the rounds, he said, should be conducted outdoors, while maintaining the rules and regulations that protect the public.
"This year, as last year, the rounds at Simchat Torah should be held in the open space. We will have to try not to give hands to those who do not have a green sign in the synagogue, so it is possible and better to do the rounds outside. He will live, and he will not get infected, God forbid, and he will get sick. "
Rabbi Satyu's remarks join a call issued by the World Synagogue Organization, which states that "In preparation for Simchat Torah - the World Organization of Orthodox Synagogues calls on the heads and rabbis of the congregations, and synagogue gabay - to hold the rounds on Simchat Torah in open spaces and not indoors.
Priests' Blessing at the Western Wall, Passover 2021, Photo: Yonatan Zindel
"This is because during the rounds, there are many small children, including those who are not vaccinated. Therefore, in order to maintain public health and prevent unnecessary danger - care must be taken to hold the rounds in the open air, both on holiday night and day, and during the second rounds on holiday evenings."
Meanwhile: At the Western Wall, preparations are beginning for eight rallies and second rounds.
Tens of thousands, led by Torah scholars, visited the Western Wall plaza every day during the current Sukkot holiday, after only a few were allowed to do so during the Sukkot holiday last year.
The laps at the Western Wall (archive), Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
In the Western Wall plaza, tens of thousands of worshipers were held in advance with the blessing of the priests, during all the weekdays of the festival and on the Sabbath of the week.
Many people visited the Western Wall Sukkah for Kiddusha Raba as every Saturday, throughout the morning, while maintaining public health.
Many worshipers are now preparing for the eighth rally and second rounds.
This year, there will be festive second rounds in the best tradition at the Western Wall plaza, with an orchestra and more than 100 Torah scrolls.
The public will be able to arrive for second rounds on the evening of Simchat Torah, 21 Tishrei 5752, 28/09/21, starting at 22:00.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation asks the public to continue to obey the instructions of the Ministry of Health, the guidelines of the Israel Police and the ushers throughout the holiday - in order to maintain the rule on the Western Wall island.
