Q&A: Legumes in the Coronavirus Era
Legumes in the Coronavirus Era
Question
Hello and blessings!
Unfortunately, today we were informed that the High Court of Justice refused to require the Chief Rabbinate to intercalate the year, and thereby make things easier for your people, the House of Israel, who are finding it hard to prepare for Passover during the coronavirus crisis:
https://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/431303
There are no judges in Jerusalem.
I would like to ask the Rabbi for a halakhic ruling that would ease things for our brothers, the House of Israel, in these days.
As is known, the effects of the pandemic are impacting factory activity, and may lead to shortages of basic products, or to their prices rising significantly. This is especially true regarding the price of handmade matzot, which are expected to cost a fortune.
I therefore ask that eating legumes on Passover be permitted as a temporary emergency measure, as the sages of past generations permitted as a temporary measure in times of trouble and distress, thereby lowering the cost of feeding large families during the holiday.
What does the Rabbi think???
Answer
Is this a troll?
I already wrote here what I think about that stupid petition to the High Court of Justice. There definitely are judges in Jerusalem. There are no rabbis in Jerusalem.
And regarding legumes, my view was stated in Column 2.
Discussion on Answer
It's stupid because it's idiotic to expect the Rabbinate to set a date that would not be halakhically valid for any citizen, while the state would apply the holiday leave days then. It doesn't get more moronic than that.
Obviously the ruling concerns only matters of state (when the Passover holiday leave days will take effect, when the leavened food will be sold, etc.) and will not affect the conduct of the individual citizen. I don't understand what's stupid here, other than the stupidity of expecting the High Court of Justice to enter into a heated confrontation over a marginal issue.