A business owner demands that his employees be vaccinated against Corona due to the type of work done and makes them sign a waiver of claims for damages stemming from the vaccine. Can an employer make such a demand and transfer risk to a reluctant employee?
My neighborhood is filled with outdoor Covid 19 minyanim. I was walking down the street on Shabbat and a minyan across the street was in the middle of Kedusha. In such cases, do I need to stop, keep my feet together, and respond to Kedusha until they are done, or may I continue walking?
I am certain that all of us have become knowledgeable regarding the subject of mutations. In my opinion, mutations are not strictly limited to viruses. The truth is that all societies continually mutate.
For we, who believe that God runs the world, even the smallest details of a sickness, like Corona, are significant and meant to be noticed and analyzed. Just as Hashem speaks to us through Torah, He also does so through how He runs the world and its challenges, as well. We must utilize each challenge to grow, but our soul-searching must be within ourselves and not, as Job's friends tried, suggesting that he sinned on this or that, to deserve his sickness and tragedies. The class discusses also some of the inevitable outcomes of the Corona Covid virus.
We will review some practical issues for Yom Kippur that are likely to come up this year, in the shadow of Corona. Although local rabbis will address many of them and public policy may change, we assume our discussion will be helpful.
A Kaddish without a Minyan. B Responding to Kaddish or Kedusha heard over the phone. C Praying at the same time the community is praying. D Reciting Hagomel following recovery from the coronavirus. E Automated hand washing system on Shabbat and Yom Tov. F Guidelines for hearing the Megillah for people in quarantine. G How to conduct a quick Seder. H Using a microphone for services on Yamim Noraim. I Automated Temperature screening on Shabbat and Yom Tov. J Participation in a Siyum by Skype. K 100 Blasts for the Homebound. L Covering a shofar with a mask.
We have an outdoor “Corona minyan” outside the entrance of my building. Some men stand in locations that make it impossible to enter or exit the building without entering someone’s four amot. I (a woman) avoid passing by during davening, but to take my son to his school van, I go before Shemoneh Esrei. Last week, I felt compelled to pass by during Shemoneh Esrei and return during chazarat hashatz. Was that permissible?
