Q&A: Cholent in Exchange for a Life-Saving Vaccine
Cholent in Exchange for a Life-Saving Vaccine
Question
The Rabbi has written several times that there is some preference for an atheist over a traditionalist. [The Rabbi apparently means the old-style traditionalist, who keeps some things, and the part he does not keep is due to laziness or deliberate backwardness—not out of a choice about what seems right to observe and preserve as tradition and what not…]
Is there a moral-value preference for someone who does not get vaccinated because that is what he thinks is proper, over someone who does not get vaccinated because he is not serious about life—but if they tempt him with a bowl of cholent [at the state’s expense], he will run to get vaccinated, stand in line, even shove, and all of him crying out: give me a vaccine, give me 2, give me whatever you want, just give me already the cholent my soul has been craving….?
Answer
Yes
Discussion on Answer
And by way of allusion: “Tasty cholent” has the same numerical value as: “with the coronavirus vaccine” 🙂
… “Tsholent tasty” has the same numerical value as: …
With God’s help, 4 Adar 5781
The prosaic reason for eating right after the vaccine is that the vaccine may cause pain or weakness shortly after it is given, and therefore they serve those being vaccinated something to eat to restore their spirits. At the vaccination complex of Leumit Health Services where I was vaccinated, they offered the vaccinated people biscuits and crackers, and apparently there are those who go the extra mile and offer the vaccinated hot, tasty cholent in order to dispel the feeling of pain or weakness.
On a deeper level, it should be said that since receiving the vaccine is a great commandment, through which a person fulfills “and you shall guard your lives,” together with “it is a commandment to heed the words of the sages,” referring to the great sages of Israel who instructed people to get vaccinated in accordance with the doctors’ guidelines—there is room to say that it is fitting to accompany the fulfillment of the commandment with a “festive meal for a commandment,” expressing that it is done with affection and joy.
With blessings, Shim-Cholent, man of Le-Wing