- Sections
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
- Family and Society
- Miscellaneous
63
Answer: [Presumably, some readers will find our response offensively strong and others will find it vexingly weak – this is often a sign of reasonable balance.]

Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (595)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
349 - Greeting before Davening
350 - Shaming those who do Not Vaccinate
351 - Interruptions during Hallel
Load More
Halacha believes in following the instructions of doctors, whether Jewish or not, to the extent that their orders to save lives are sufficient grounds to violate Torah-level Shabbat violations (Shulchan Aruch and Rama, Orach Chayim 328:10). When there is disagreement between doctors, weight is given to both the number and the level of expertise on the various sides (see Biur Halacha ad loc.). The obligation to protect one’s health is a more severe matter than avoiding aveirot (Chulin 10a). Therefore, it is not surprising that poskim rule that one who refuses to follow doctor’s life-saving orders can be coerced to do so (Magen Avraham 328:6). The matter is even clearer when one not only endangers himself but is endangering others. If vaccination was being done almost universally, one might have the right to listen to his medical advisor (non-standard doctor or rabbi or "guru"), as the risk raised by a small number of not vaccinated people is small. But when it becomes a trend, it is dangerous, and when an area is in the midst of an outbreak (because of the prevalence of such people), the situation is grave, as is unfortunately the case in Jerusalem at the time I am writing.
In theory, then, it is justified to take steps to pressure people to vaccinate. Despite this, we at Eretz Hemdah oppose individuals taking the matter into their own hands by shaming (whether the old-fashioned ways or through social media). The precedent of condoning such behavior is extremely dangerous to society. One will shame over a medical matter; another over something religious; another for a political cause, etc. Do realize that when rebuking people for doing aveirot, one must not do so by means of shaming a person, especially publicly (Rambam, De’ot 6:8)
We are believers in steps being taken by those with responsibility and authority. In this case, public health officials, in cooperation with other government arms, should take the steps their experts deem appropriate. In many cases, intense public education is more effective than attempts at coercion, but they have the prerogative and even responsibility to the public to take punitive steps if deemed necessary.
What an individual and an "unauthorized" group may do is take steps focused on protecting themselves. At a time of an outbreak, it is legitimate to avoid contact with friends or relatives who do not vaccinate, even when it is insulting. A shul, by decision of its rabbi and officers, may decide that the danger at a given time warrants demanding of such people not to come/bring their children to shul. But intentional shaming is not the way to go about it.

Why Can’t Women Blow the Shofar for Men?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 5772

Working in a Non-Kosher Establishment
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 14 5775

Trips during the Nine Days
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tamuz 26 5779

Ask the Rabbi: Amen on a Non-Beracha
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Shevat 5785

Rabbi Daniel Mann

Obtaining Arba’ah Minim for the Sukkot after Shemitta
Tisheri 7 5776

A Mourner Serving as Chatan Torah
5775

Standing for Parents in our Times
5775

Reciting Kri’at Shema at the Very End of its Time
Sivan 21 5779

Seeing Hashem’s Face
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Pesach 19 Nissan 5764

Flavor and Fragrance - The Bracha on Fragrant Fruits
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5771
Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk: The Pioneering Rebbe
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Iyar, 5763

Chalav Yisrael and Powdered Milk
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772

Orchot Tzaddikim class 56, "Stay Quiet" i
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 5785

Ask the Rabbi: Anonymous Return of Stolen Money
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Nisan 5785
