(א) וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃ (ב) צַ֚ו אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וִֽישַׁלְּחוּ֙ מִן־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה כָּל־צָר֖וּעַ וְכָל־זָ֑ב וְכֹ֖ל טָמֵ֥א לָנָֽפֶשׁ׃ (ג) מִזָּכָ֤ר עַד־נְקֵבָה֙ תְּשַׁלֵּ֔חוּ אֶל־מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם וְלֹ֤א יְטַמְּאוּ֙ אֶת־מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י שֹׁכֵ֥ן בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ (ד) וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְשַׁלְּח֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֥ן עָשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (פ)
(1) The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: (2) Instruct the Israelites to remove from camp anyone with an eruption or a discharge and anyone defiled by a corpse. (3) Remove male and female alike; put them outside the camp so that they do not defile the camp of those in whose midst I dwell. (4) The Israelites did so, putting them outside the camp; as the LORD had spoken to Moses, so the Israelites did.
Who is sent outside the camp?
Why - what is the purpose?
How does this compare to measures taken in response to coronavirus?
Write a commentary for your seder based on this source.
Encyclopedia Judaica - Medicine
The Talmudic Era: The main contribution of talmudic medicine lies not so much in the treatment of illness but rather, as in the Bible, in the prevention of disease and the care of community health. The hygienic measures advocated were of a practical as well as of a religious, ethical nature. A principle which recurs a number of times is that "bodily cleanliness leads to spiritual cleanliness" (Av. Zar. 20b; TJ, Shab. 1:3, 3b).
Hygienic regulations applied among other things to town planning, climatic conditions, social community life, family life, and care of the body. Mention is made of a disinfectant composed of seven ingredients used for cleansing infected clothing (Zev. 95a). A town was required to have a physician and a bathhouse. Clothing had to be changed before eating. Mar Samuel declared that diseases may be carried by caravans from land to land (Ta'an. 21b). Members of a family with a sick person among them were to be avoided. The digging of wells in the neighborhood of cemeteries or refuse dumps was forbidden (Tosef., BB 1:10). It was forbidden to drink uncovered water for fear of snake venom (Av. Zar. 30a). Food had to be fresh and served in clean dishes. Kissing on the mouth was discouraged, and kissing only on the back of the hand was recommended in order to prevent contagion.
During epidemics, the population was advised to avoid crowding in narrow alleyways because of the danger of contagion in the air. For body care, the Talmud recommends physical exercises, massage, sunlight, employment, and above all cleanliness. Mar Samuel states: “The washing of hands and feet in the morning is more effective than any remedy in the world” (Shab. 108b). Excesses of any kind were regarded as harmful.
What measures were recommended to prevent spread of disease?
Compare and contrast Talmudic recommendations with the CDC's recommendations for how to stop the spread of an epidemic? (listed below)
How could you use this last paragraph at your seder?
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
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Stay home when you are sick.
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
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Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
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CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
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Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing...Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Jews blamed for Black Plague
H.H. Ben Sasson, A History of the Jewish People, p. 486
Animosity and persecution reached their peak during the Black Death, in the massacres of 1348-1349. This plague descended upon Europe… In many places more than half of the population perished within a brief period. Rational explanations of the catastrophe were unknown…
In those days scapegoats were sought… The Jews were accused of poisoning the wells in order to destroy the whole of Christendom. In Switzerland, Jews were tortured until they produced the demanded confession. News of the guilt of the Jews was broadcast so rapidly that in some places Jews were exterminated even before the plague arrived.
Who are the coronavirus scapegoats?
Write a question for your seder based on this source.
Extraordinary times - Extraordinary Measures
(in Jewish practice and law)
ר' שמעון בן מנסיא אומר (שמות לא, טז) ושמרו בני ישראל את השבת אמרה תורה חלל עליו שבת אחת כדי שישמור שבתות הרבה.
Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya said: It is stated: “And the children of Israel shall keep Shabbat, to observe Shabbat” (Exodus 31:16).The Torah said: Desecrate one Shabbat on his behalf so he will observe many Shabbatot.
(א) על מי מחללין שבת. ובו ט סעיפים:
כל פיקוח נפש דוחה שבת והזריז הרי זה משובח אפילו נפלה דליקה בחצר אחרת וירא שתעבור לחצר זו ויבא לידי סכנה מכבין כדי שלא תעבור:
(1) 1. All cases of saving a life supersede Shabbat, and he who hurries in these matters is praised. Even if there is a fire in a different yard and there is concern that it will move to this yard and cause danger, we put it out to ensure that it does not spread.
Many synagogues are doing things differently during this extraordinary time.
For instance, streaming services on Shabbat; virtual minyanim; considering changes to Passover practices.
- What is happening in your community?
- How do these sources explain why these changes are okay?
- What do you think/feel about these changes?