The beginning of the winter season brings with it viruses, and the fear of an increase in flu cases alongside the increase in coronavirus cases brought the coronavirus supervisor, Prof. Salman Zarka, and with him the heads of the Haredi desk at the Ministry of Health, on a tour of visits to the homes of Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
Prof. Zarka sought to consult with them on how to increase vaccination among the Torah-observant public, and to seek their assistance in explaining the importance of protecting the elderly population by wearing masks in enclosed spaces.
Prof. Zarka also emphasized the importance of conducting an institutional test in every case of suspected infection so that life-saving medications can be received, such as 'Paxlobid' - which is effective in treatment within 5 days of a positive result in an institutional coronavirus test.
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The tour was opened by the projector in the office of Chief Rabbi Hared Lau, who told the projector that he was the first to establish a minyan in accordance with the Ministry of Health guidelines. The rabbi shared with those present that he had already been vaccinated, as had his father, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Hared Lau. "It is in the personal interest of every person to get vaccinated, and to do so early.".
The chairman of the Haredi desk at Magen Israel, Avi Levin, told the rabbi about dealing with elements who spread false information in Haredi gatherings against vaccination.
The Chief Rabbi noted that he has spoken out strongly several times against the spread of false information and has been rudely attacked for it, "I will continue to flood the issue and inform the public as much as necessary. You will not be afraid of anyone.""
At the end of the meeting, Rabbi Lau presented his book Responsa "Meshkil LeDavid", which deals with halachic aspects of the coronavirus pandemic, including questions sent to him from all over the world during the pandemic. Rabbi Lau congratulated the project manager and the heads of the Haredi desk at the Ministry of Health for the holy work they are doing: "Anyone who saves one soul from Israel is as if he saved the entire world, you are privileged to save many souls.".
From the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the delegation continued to visit the residence of the Rosh Yeshiva of Hebron and member of the Council of Degel HaTorah, the Gaon Rabbi David Cohen.
Despite the fact that this is a day when the Rosh Yeshiva gives a general lesson and does not receive an audience on this day, Rabbi Cohen deviated from his custom and accepted the projector and the desk heads in light of the importance of the matter. "I have a student in the yeshiva who has not returned to full function for over a year since he contracted the coronavirus," the Rosh Yeshiva told Prof. Zarka. "I took all the vaccines as soon as I could, the only time the Torah says 'very' is only about the commandment 'and keep them.' People travel all the way to America to save lives, and here they are satisfied with getting a vaccine?!" the Rosh Yeshiva wondered.
The rabbi thanked Prof. Zarka and the heads of the desk for their work. "The entire public recognizes what you have done for the fight against Corona, it is simply saving lives," he said.
The head of the desk, Avi Levin, told the Rosh Yeshiva about Prof. Zarka's dedication to the Torah-observant public, both in his role as a project manager and as director of the Ziv Medical Center in Safed. Rabbi Cohen warmly greeted Prof. Zarka.
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After the special visit with Rabbi Cohen, the project leader wanted to get a first-hand impression of the world of yeshivahs. Yeshivah Supervisor at the Haredi Desk Eliyahu Arend invited the delegation to tour the world's largest yeshiva, "Mir," in the Beit Israel neighborhood, where Prof. Zarka met with the yeshivah administration, spoke with the students in the Beit Midrash and in the dining hall.
""It's the first time in my life that I've seen such a sight, thousands of students leaning on books and disconnected from the outside world, it's inspiring," said the project manager.
The yeshiva administrators told the professor about the special assessments that were required and how the guidelines were followed as they were carried out at the yeshiva throughout the Corona period. "Our approach is to educate and take responsibility, we will not return to closing educational institutions again, but this requires the public to get vaccinated," emphasized Prof. Zarka.
""After hearing the comprehensive review from Professor Zarka, who is a doctor with a deep understanding, about the importance of taking the combined vaccine, tomorrow morning I will go to the health insurance company to get the vaccine. This is a mitzvah from the Torah" - with these words he concluded his meeting with the projector, the Gra"d Yosef, a member of the Council of Torah Sages, and the son of Maran the Gra"r Yosef zt"l.
He addressed the audience and said: "Anyone over the age of 65 or with underlying illnesses should go and get the combined vaccine, this is real self-preservation." The members of the delegation thanked the rabbi for his sharp and clear words, and for being one of the leading voices throughout the Corona period, to follow the instructions and go get vaccinated.
