Moshe to the Jews: There is going to be a plague. STAY INSIDE!
Jews: But we need to get shoes for Yuntiv.
Moshe: Stay inside so that you don't DIE!
Jews: We need to get haircuts. It is almost Sfiras Ha-omer and then it will be too late.
Moshe: INSIDE!! DANGER!!!
Jews: OK - But MINYAN!!! We cant miss minyan. Sorry...
Moshe: You want to die?
Jews: Are you telling us not to daven with a minyan?? We are going to get a new leader who is Frum and doesn't make terrible decrees restricting our religious behavior. You are a Modern Orthodox Tziyoini apparently. We want an emes'e Gadol with true Toirah-dike Hashkfois. You don't even wear a black hat or a frock.
Many Jews get together and decide, as a Segulah, to bring Shabbos in ten minutes earlier and go about their business as normal. Shabbos will protect them. Nothing to worry about.
Within a week: Orphans, widows and a lot of funerals. But - at least their had shoes for their kids, short hair and didn't miss a minyan, except for all the minyanim they will miss when they are dead. Shabbos protects those who protect themselves.
Hat tip for idea - R' G.H.
Hat tip for idea - R' G.H.
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NOTE: Many Jews ARE keeping to the guidelines set by the doctors, in conformance with rabbinic approval. Unfortunately, not all.
וְאַךְ אֶת דִּמְכֶם לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם אֶדְרֹשׁ מִיַּד כָּל חַיָּה אֶדְרְשֶׁנּוּ וּמִיַּד הָאָדָם מִיַּד אִישׁ אָחִיו אֶדְרֹשׁ אֶת נֶפֶשׁ הָאָדָם" (בראשית, פרק ט', פסוק ה') רש"י: "אף על פי שהתרתי לכם נטילת נשמה בבהמה, את דמכם אדרוש מהשופך דם עצמו".
״הרבה דברים אסרו חכמים מפני שיש בהם סכנת נפשות. וכל העובר עליהן ואומר הריני מסכן בעצמי ומה לאחרים עלי בכך או איני מקפיד בכך מכין אותו מכת מרדות״ רמב"ם הלכות רוצח ושמירת נפש פרק יא הלכה ה.
