The Short Vort
Good Evening!
Today is Tuesday, 11th of Tishrei 5781, and September 29, 2020
Positive
To all of my dear friends,
I hope you all had a meaningful and inspirational Yom Kippur.
May Hashem hear all of our Tefillos.
Over Yom Kippur, I mentioned from the Bimah that I had tested negative for COVID.
I was tested on Friday, September 25.
After that test and after seeking competent medical approval, I confidently spoke both on Shabbos Shuva and Yom Kippur from the Bimah mask-less.
Being that I am elevated on the Bimah and many feet away from the closest congregant, I received medical approval to speak mask-less.
Today, Tuesday, September 29, 2020, I received the results of a second test (a Molecular Test), which to my chagrin, came out Positive for COVID -19.
Therefore, today, I am one of the 33,837,708 people in the world who have been diagnosed with the novel Coronavirus.
I am not happy to have joined with these almost 34 million people, and it certainly distresses me that I attended and spoke (mask-less no less!) on both Shabbos Shuva and Yom Kippur while having COVID.
Nevertheless, it is my duty and obligation to be totally and completely transparent with you and inform you that despite my best attempts at being safe and keeping you safe, I had COVID over Shabbos and Yom Kippur.
I encourage all of you who are concerned to seek proper medical guidance.
My symptoms have been mild to almost undetectable, and therefore, if all goes well- by Friday – with the help of He who heals all- I should be back in Shul and ready to daven!
I apologize for any distress or discomfort I may have caused you; however, to repress this information would be highly unethical and outright wrong.
May Hashem rid the world of this terrible plague.
With love and concern for all,
Ron Yitzchok Eisenman
Rabbi, Congregation Ahavas Israel
Passaic, NJ
“If Not Now, Then When?”- Hillel
