Extending Shul closure following COVID-19 cases within Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Yesterday, positive findings of Coronavirus took place at two schools in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs including Moriah College.
The Sydney Beth Din has issued a statement saying “Medical professionals with whom we have consulted have unanimously determined the existence of a real community risk including and especially for those attending shule. The extent of that risk in terms of the size of the outbreak will only be able to be determined in the next ten to fourteen days.
The community will no doubt be aware of the incredible rate of spread of infection that COVID-19 possesses and that the greatest source of spread and death in Jewish communities around the world has been via shule services.
As such we rule that due to the Laws of Pikuach Nefesh as they relate to Tefilla, Synagogues remain closed for a further two weeks until the source and spread of this “community spread” outbreak be identified and completely contained.”
The timing of the closure may change subject to further information as it comes to hand and the advice of our medical experts.
We inform those within the community who may wish to take risks, and have minyanim, that risk-taking is not permitted in Jewish Law, and prayers said, under those circumstances, are invalid.
We also urge the general community to be vigilant in terms of social distancing and gatherings of people especially at homes on Shavuot, until this current situation can be adequately resolved.”
