Q&A: Traveling to China for the Purpose of Providing Kashrut Certification…
Traveling to China for the Purpose of Providing Kashrut Certification…
Question
The rabbi of one of the Haredi communities in Bnei Brak (a Jew named Gross) permitted a kashrut supervisor to travel to China despite an explicit prohibition from the Ministry of Health because of concern over coronavirus… What is the Rabbi’s opinion on the matter?
Thank you, Benjamin
Answer
It seems problematic to me, mainly because of the law of the land. The concern itself is not necessarily enough to fall under the category of danger to life, since I do not know what the probability of infection is in that particular place. One should also take into account that if he becomes infected, the one who will have to treat him will be our healthcare system, which is funded by the state, and therefore it is reasonable for the state to decide not to take such risks.
Discussion on Answer
If they did not prohibit it, then the law of the land does not apply. I do not know what exactly the scope of the prohibition is.
https://www.health.gov.il/Subjects/disease/corona/Pages/default.aspx
The Ministry of Health guidelines are at the link above. My question was indeed about a case in which there is an explicit prohibition.
In any case, in light of Rabbi Michi’s answer, it is clear that the kashrut supervisor must obey the state’s instructions because of the law of the land.
What does the law of the land have to do with it? Someone who travels there is not breaking the law.