In times of coronavirus, not attending Synagogue in these circumstances does not make it impossible to connect with God. Maintaining health and life is a fundamental commandment and takes priority over the other commandments.
The presence of parishioners at their temples is extremely important , because it inspires feeling and emotion. At the same time, it brings peace and hope through the prayers, which spring from their sensitive hearts.
However, it is worth remembering that parishioners can also find God in the depth of their hearts, wherever they are. God is infinite and His presence encompasses the entire Universe and in this way, He will always be present.
“God is near to everyone who calls on Him, who authentically calls on Him” (Psalm 145: 18).
Not attending temple in these circumstances does not make the connection with God impossible. According to the Biblical account, the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel were sterile and they prayed to God to be able to procreate without attending any temple. Jonah, the prophet, prayed from the belly of a whale, Joseph prayed from prison and was released, Moses prayed in the desert for the people of Israel and his pleas were heard, Jana left the Temple to pray for a son, and she was granted the prophet Samuel as a son. While Eli, the Great Priest, did not realize that his sons had become corrupt profiting from the Sanctuary.
The man of faith who wishes to fulfill the will of God must also bear in mind that the Torah punctually establishes that maintaining health and life is a fundamental commandment and has priority in relation to the other commandments.
You cannot act unconsciously and say, “God will protect me,” and expose yourself to danger. The Torah itself states to annul the fast on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Hebrew calendar, and to desecrate Shabbat, the holy day of rest according to Jewish tradition, if necessary, to preserve life, even when the possibilities of harming oneself are doubtful.
In the current context, to date, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the correct thing according to our holy Torah is to heed the recommendations of the experts, and if this requires praying in private at home, it has to be done that way .
“Enter your rooms, and close your doors behind you; hide for a time, until the anger passes”(Isaiah 26:20).
Whoever has a special reason or some other motivation that incites him to attend the Synagogue, do so with the proper care and in compliance with the provided protocol.
We call to take advantage of these moments to become aware of the true noble values of life, direct our attitudes on the path of good, and promote harmony and solidarity.
Our fervent desire is that God enlightens us with wisdom to act with sanity.
By Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca
