Leading Charedi rabbis issue plea for communities to follow lockdown rules

Charedi rabbis have released public information films to urge their communities to follow lockdown rules.

The messages, recorded by figures including Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, chief justice of the Federation of Synagogues and Rabbi Eliezer Zobin, head of The Ner Yisrael Community in Hendon, have been uploaded onto the website kehillanw.org.

In his message, Zimmerman says: “There is an expression that it is always darkest before dawn. That right before the Yeshua things become worse. In recent weeks in England, the Covid virus has become even worse. There are days when there are over 50,000 new cases a day, over a thousand deaths. 35,000 people who are currently hospitalised. It’s no secret that it has an inordinate effect on the vulnerable. This virus affects older people, with pre-existing conditions. I know everyone is tired from keeping these restrictions, but I beg you, I beseech you, I implore you, don’t make any allowances now, don’t let you guard down now. Don’t give up now.”

Zobin says: “I have spoken with doctors working at the Royal Free Hospital and sadly cases in the ICU continue to be some three times higher than would be usual for this time of year. Their message is clear: please keep a distance of two metres from people at all times, whether in the shops or shul and wear face masks in indoor. Don’t just socialise. These simple measures can really save lives. It’s essential we all do our very best to prevent the spread of this deadly virus that has taken so many of our loved kehillo. …. Let’s continue to care for each other by being careful.”

Other rabbis taking part include the Federation’s Rabbi Shlomo Freshwater and Rabbi and teacher from the Satmar sect Rabbi Yaakov Schlesinger.