Heated ‘Discussions’ Over Rosh HaShana Restrictions

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday will hold a special meeting to discuss the plan for operating synagogues during the coronavirus crisis. 

[This comes after Gamzu threatened to quit unless .... The Haredi Parties are fighting for the Mispallelim. Shuls range in size from gigantic to very small. These details must be driving the Israelis crazy. What could be the spiritual meaning to all this? All CV restrictions are bringing the non-religious into the inner workings of the religious world. Are they going to be judged for their attitudes and cooperation? This is bringing the non-religious into the halachos that we live by that they also are responsible for. Will this awaken anything in their neshomos?]

The meeting comes at at the request of the Knesset's haredi parties, and will also include discussion on travel to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). 

 Housing Minister Yakov Litzman (UTJ), Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas), and coronavirus czar Professor Ronni Gamzu will participate in the meeting. 

Gamzu's plan for opening synagogues was put together by former IDF Central Command Commander Roni Numa. Under it, the number of worshipers allowed in a synagogue is dependent on the number of entrances the synagogue has, the number of cells (capsules), and the city's rating according to the "traffic light plan." It also limits the number of worshipers to one person per four square meters (43 square feet), up to a maximum of 1,000 people. 

According to News 12, Gamzu has agreed that each of a synagogue's exit can serve up to two capsules, but the haredi ministers are insisting on allowing three capsules per exit. 

The sides also disagree on what constitutes a "red" city under the traffic light plan. Gamzu wants one of the parameters to be the percentage of new cases from the total number of *new cases, so that people will not be afraid to get tested. 

However, the ministers want the parameter to be the percentage of new cases out of the city's entire population. Under the plan, prayers will be permitted during the holiday season under the open sky, regardless of a city's rating. 

These prayer gatherings will be limited to 250 people, who will be in groups of 20. Prayers will be held sitting down, with marked seats. 

Holding prayer sessions with over 250 people will require the approval of the local authority and the district health office. 

In the Western Wall plaza, prayer capsules in areas which allow for sitting down will contain 50 people each, and there will be an empty chair separating members of different households. 

Where there is standing room only, prayer will be limited to groups of up to 30, with a two-meter distance between worshipers.

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*the ‘testing methodology’ should be extremely scrutinized for its authenticity and accuracy by an “independent” medical laboratory not connected to any governmental scrutiny or international body.

UPDATE ON QUESTIONABLE UPDATE ON SHULS FOR THE YOM TOVIM

UPDATE TODAY: *Gamzu: Lockdown During Chagim a ‘Possibility’ But ‘It’s Complicated’ 

(back-tracking anti-Haredim nonsense: stay tuned for Prof. Udi Qimron: "History will judge the hysteria”)

As Elul is just around the corner, Shuls around Israel are now planning for the Yomim Noraim under COVID-19 restrictions. While the number of people allowed ...was raised yesterday to 20 in an indoor space and 30 in an outdoor space

"Mirpeset (porch) Minyanim” have also returned as many people who cannot attend shul due to the strictly regulated number YWN

THE THREAT HANGS OVER US:  LOCKDOWN OR NO LOCKDOWN 

Equal Restrictions for Synagogues and Restaurants (oh, really?)

 Did They Forget the Statement of Prof Gamzu, the New Corona Tzar about Synagogues/Shuls?? 

 “We won’t allow any more restrictions without logic. I will not allow harm to economy without a logical reason, I am responsible” 

 And another statement to the effect of: “I think that when it comes to closed, indoor spaces, limitations have to be expressed in terms of the size of the place. It’s hard to instate restrictions that apply equally to small shtieblach and giant shuls” and It’s easy to say ‘no more than 10-20 people,’ and much harder to speak in terms of percentages." Hamodia "Haredi ( ultra- Orthodox) MKs and their community have criticized the limit of 10 worshipers allowed in a synagogue, regardless of size. The current limit on worshipers in prayer services was arbitrary, Chief Rabbi David Lau said last month. It was illogical that the same number of worshipers be permitted in both very small and very large synagogues, he said." JPost 

FROM THIS

TO THIS

 

Was Prof Gamzu has been sidelined trying to be ‘fair’ about this anti-haredi stance?

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein decided, after a consultation with professionals, including Health Ministry Director General Prof. Hezi Levy and coronavirus project manager Prof. Ronni Gamzu, to equalize the conditions of restaurants and houses of prayer, without harming business owners. 

 On Sunday, a draft resolution will be presented stating that in restaurants, public places, businesses and houses of worship, the number of people will be limited to 20 people in a closed space and to 30 in an open space, provided that it is possible to maintain a distance of 2 square meters between tables. 

The restaurant association said in response, "We are pleased with the decision of the Minister of Health and thank Professor Gamzu and the ministers in the Coronavirus Cabinet, who worked over the weekend to cancel the restrictions approved on Friday.”

What about the overly strict restrictions for “houses of worship” for the coming High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the day of trial and sentencing of sinners). Where are all the Jews going to pray to The Creator of the World? Out in the street? In parking lots? By the ocean?

Source: arutzsheva

* Hamodia