From a Rebbetzin:
Some brief thoughts:
1. The virus is once again out of control in our Orthodox communities and networks. We are in danger – and in denial.
2. We do not live in Czarist Russia. We live under the rule of law in a democratic republic. Our elected officials are neither our “friends” nor our “enemies.” They are people who have been elected by citizens to legislate and to implement and enforce the law. Orders and regulations are sometimes terrible policy, politically motivated, even unconstitutional; but they are not evil decrees or gezeiros meant to destroy us.
3. Public health is a real thing. It is a basic responsibility of government. It is not a conspiracy of people out to get you. It is not tyranny. It is not a violation of your civil rights.
4. The Jewish people have survived through terrible edicts and murderous regimes throughout our history. No current policies or actions of our local, state, or federal government are remotely comparable. Making hyperbolic statements comparing them is highly irresponsible, inflammatory, and frankly ludicrous.
5. It is generally our obligation – as Americans and as Jews – to obey the law and to follow the rules. This applies whether or not we agree with, approve of, or like the rules. We may certainly try to lobby, advocate, or even sue to change unjust or unwise laws; but until they do change, we are still bound by them.
6. We are not a special case; we do not deserve special treatment; we are not victims and thus excused from the rules; our votes do not count more or less than the votes of any other citizens; and throwing public tantrums does not change this. We are in golus. Let’s remember that.
7. If you choose to disobey the law – even on principle – you must be willing to accept the consequences. That is how civil disobedience works. It is a strategy for making change, not permission to do whatever you want and get angry when held accountable.
8. Covid-19 can be a terrible affliction, whether or not one dies from it r”l. There is no sure way to predict how intensely it will affect you. There is no known cure, and no vaccine is currently available. Its possible long-term effects on the brain, the lungs, and the heart are not yet known. Its possible long-term effects on children are not yet known. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize we should avoid catching it, we should avoid spreading it, we should try to stop it in its tracks.
9. Making it easy for a virus to infect you and those around you is not “heroic” or “brave” or “macho” or an expression of “resistance to tyranny” or even “bitachon.” It is foolish. It is reckless. It is negligent. It is selfish. It is “naarish.” It is a chilul haShem. We shouldn’t need the government to mandate this; the Agudah put out a Roadmap in the spring, the OU issued guidelines.
10. We are only as strong as our weakest link when it comes to this virus. Let us show HKBH that we are capable of caring about one another enough to be somewhat uncomfortable and that we actually prioritize tefila and limud haTorah enough to forego some enjoyments and conveniences. If the virus continues to spread – at simchas, at hakafos, inside restaurants or crowded supermarkets, in schools amongst children, rebbeim, and moros, it will be exceedingly difficult to avoid losing containment of the virus in our communities altogether. We could r”l be right back where we were in Nissan. We must not allow ourselves to forget the illness, suffering, and losses, l”a, endured by so many beloved mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and gedolei Torah.
We are in danger from a virus, not a politician. Let’s aim our energetic, passionate resistance in the right direction.
