Q&A: The Haredi “Gedoylei HaDor” and Public Stringencies
The Haredi “Gedoylei HaDor” and Public Stringencies
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is there, in the Rabbi’s view, any logic to the stringency adopted by some of the Haredi “Gedoylei HaDor” regarding not holding prayer services with a minyan even after the Ministry of Health permitted it under certain conditions? Is this just a pursuit of yet another stringency, or perhaps their way of covering for their mistake at the beginning of the outbreak?
Thanks,
Benjamin
Answer
It certainly may be both: as a correction for the mistake, and as a way of educating the public and themselves; and also perhaps they see reason to be more stringent beyond the government’s decision. See my article on Jewish law and reality:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%94%D7%99-%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%99%D7%AA
Discussion on Answer
To me this always seemed like a demagogic comparison. Demonstrations are held as one-time events and under police supervision. Minyanim are held in thousands of places every day with no supervision at all. Whiny demagoguery by people who enjoy feeling deprived and blaming others for it.
I also understand that a democratic state, almost by definition, can hardly forbid demonstrations. But anything that is not meta-democratic, like minyanim, can be prohibited.
Even though, of course, every prohibition overrides some individual or collective freedom, it still does not clash head-on with the definition of the concept of democracy.
In any case, the fact that you can hold a demonstration does not mean it is actually appropriate to do so…
Following up on the question — I’d be glad if you could address certain considerations in deciding about restrictions on holding a minyan.
There was an argument that if, for example, it is permitted to demonstrate, then prayer with a minyan should also be allowed.
On the other hand, others argued (among other things) that a demonstration is a one-time event, involving a limited number of people. By contrast, prayer would lead to gatherings of a large number of people, and on a regular basis.
What do you think about these two arguments, on both sides?