Masks and Corona: Israelis Prepare to Celebrate Purim

Some 60,000 Israelis have been sent into quarantine, mostly at home, out of fear that they may have contracted the virus.

By Aryeh Savir, TPS

The global spread of Coronavirus has forced Jewish communities around the world to modify their Purim celebrations to ensure that the communities’ health is safeguarded while those in quarantine can fulfill the holiday’s obligations properly.

Some 60,000 Israelis have been sent into quarantine, mostly at home, out of fear that they may have contracted the virus.

Some synagogues have announced they will hold special Megillah (Scroll of Esther) readings for those in quarantine, while other communities will live-stream the event to those in quarantine at home.

Following international travel during the semester break, a number of students and faculty members, about 45, have been required to self-quarantine based on the directives of the Health Ministry.

The Megillah reading from the congregation Shaarey Rachamim V’simcha in Jerusalem’s French Hill community will be streamed.

As for Mishloah Manot, gifts of food or drink sent to friends on Purim day, and Matanot L’evyonim, gifts for the poor, those in isolation can appoint another person to be a messenger to deliver packages and give tzedakah, rabbis have ruled.

All should avoid shaking hands and kissing the mezuzah or a Sefer Torah, they added.

Cities throughout Israel have canceled their traditional public Purim events and parades.

“With God’s help, we will overcome the crisis together,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Saturday night.

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