The Short Vort
Good Morning!
Today is Sunday the 20
th
of Tammuz 5780 and July 12, 2020
The Day The Rabbi Took Action
There has been a lot of buzz going around as to the subject of masks.
First, the facts,
1.
All doctors who I have spoken to in the Passaic/Clifton area have ALL told me that masks must be worn inside.
2.
I know of no doctor in our area who openly condones and/or supports not wearing masks inside the Shul
3.
The Gemara tells us, “Chamira Sakanta M’Issura,” meaning, something which is potentially dangerous to your health should be treated more seriously than a halachik prohibition.
4.
No one likes wearing masks, including myself
5.
The Shul has a policy that you must wear a mask which covers your mouth and nose
6.
We are not attempting to run a police state at the Ahavas
7.
When the gabboim gently remind people to have their masks on properly they are trying to help.
8.
We want you to feel safe in our Shul
Since we all agree on these facts- I have come to the following realization.
Anyone who is not wearing a mask properly must be viewed as a person who is holding a container of poison gas, which is not sealed correctly.
Yes, Covid-19 is no picnic.
Just ask anyone who had it or lost a loved one to it.
Therefore, we must all wear masks in the Shul.
It’s not so difficult to do.
95% of the attendees do it correctly.
These rules apply to people of all ages, teenagers, senior citizens, and anyone in between.
The buck stops here.
Since ultimately, I take seriously my obligation to make sure that anyone who enters my Shul is safe I want to make clear of the following rules.
I must take this action as “The Buck Stop Here!”
1.
Anyone who is not wearing a mask properly should be told by the person sitting next to or near them (gently) to please adjust their mask.
2.
If you see “kids” ignoring this rule, I deputize everyone to go over to the teen and (gently of course), say in no uncertain terms that if he does not wear a mask properly he should leave the Shul.
3.
If the teen refuses to listen (or for that matter an adult as well) I deputize everyone to stop the davening and announce that if people do not cover their nose and mouth with a mask the davening will not continue.
4.
If you are coughing, please do not come to Shul
5.
No one has permission to ever be in the room behind the women’s section. Being found in that room will be considered trespassing.
6.
If the 95% of us who want to observe the rules create an atmosphere which refuses to tolerate those who insist on flagrantly ignoring Shul policy, the 5% who are offenders will either comply or go somewhere else.
7.
The rule of having your mouth and nose covered by a mask is also a state law
8.
We are implementing this policy based on the medical advice of doctors and in an attempt to keep you safe and healthy.
9.
I love you all very much
These rules take effect immediately.
I love you, and I want you and me to see our great, great-grandchildren.
As Rav Chaim Soloveitchik zt”L would say, “I am very Machmir (strict) in the halachos of Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life).”
Please forgive me if this letter in blunt and seems not friendly. However, that is precisely the point.
Because I care about you and everyone else, I must insist that these policies be followed entirely and without exceptions.
Wishing everyone only health and Simcha
“If Not Now, Then When?”- Hillel
Ron Yitzchok Eisenman
Rabbi, Congregation Ahavas Israel
Passaic, NJ
