Hungarian Government Permits Shuls To Open, Beis Din and Head Shliach Say No

by CrownHeights.info

The government of Hungary announced that as restrictions ease throughout the country, synagogues may now open their doors and prayers services may be held.

In a letter  to the community, the Beis Din of Budapest, and Head Shliach Rabbi Baruch Oberlander, forbade shuls and Chabad Houses from opening, despite the government permission to do so.

Hungary has seen relatively few cases, with only 3,111 confirmed due to stringent social distancing measures, according to recent reports. Of these cases, 759 have been reported as recovered, and 373 reported deaths.

The letter from Rabbi Oberlander quoted from the Rama in Shulchan Aruch, noting that the virus is an issue of Sakanas Nefashos, and according to doctors the danger has not yet passed.

Rabbi Oberlander called on all shluchim to continue davening “Byechidus” at home, and to refrain from joining any other Minyanim.

The Psak Din was accompanied by a listing of sources and explanations from the Beis Din.