Coronavirus in Israel

By: Samantha Rothman

Israel, like the rest of the world, has been facing challenging times due to the novel coronavirus. Starting on April 8th, Jews across Israel observed Passover. Passover, or Pesah, is an eight day holiday which honors the Jews being released from slavery in ancient Egypt. [1] The story of Passover dates back to a plague that passed through ancient Egypt, killing everything from crops to livestock in its path. [2] The ancient story explains that the plague passed over the Jewish people’s homes as Jews started to leave Egypt.[3] This story is where the historical term “chosen people” came from. [4] Passover is considered one of the most important, sacred, and widely observed holidays in the Jewish religion. [5]

Despite the long rooted history and stories surrounding this plague, Israel faced another plague-like disease during the eight holy days of Passover. Despite the holiday’s importance, Israel remained on lockdown in an effort to stop the novel virus’s spread.[6] In order to organize the lockdown, Israelis were not allowed to shop for food after 3pm on Wednesday, April 8th. [7] After this, stores were shut down, and nobody was allowed to leave. [8] Jerusalem, one of Israel’s holiest and most famous cities, was divided into 7 districts, with the intention of keeping people close to their homes and keeping the virus contained. [9] The Israeli government felt the lockdown needed to be even stronger, with additional limits and restrictions, in light of the holiday and its gatherings.[10]

These new restrictions compelled the Israeli people to find new ways to celebrate the sacred holiday and practice rituals in accordance with new parameters. [11] Traditionally families host Seders, unique and carefully curated dinners, where each food item has significant meaning. [12] This year, Seders happened over Zoom call, in an attempt to comply with the new curfew.[13] During Passover, people could not go more than 100 meters from their homes for shopping or other “essential” trips.[14] Seders over Zoom or other tech platforms prove to be particularly interesting considering strictly observant Jews surrender use of any technology on holy days. [15] Rabbis decided to allow using technology, specifically screen programs for facilitating Seders, despite the fact technology is typically not allowed.[16] Families using Zoom were allowed to use it for their Seder, and that’s it, not additional usage or clicking after the Seder ends. [17]In addition to family celebrations, an Israeli television channel aired a live program called, “Great Israeli Seder” featuring celebrities in order to promote staying home and saving lives during the holiday. [18]

Passover sparked social distancing concerns in Israel, but there is still a lot to figure out. After Passover, the Prime Minister considered how social distancing will and should work moving forward. [19] At this point in time, there are competing concerns surrounding social distancing and its many implications.[20] One side of the aisle is concerned with the economic deterioration that will inevitably occur with social distancing. [21] Others are concerned with the downfall of citizens’ health for a long and uncontrolled period of time.[22]

Within the Israeli government, there are some changes that need to be made in order to respond to the novel coronavirus. Right now, the Israeli government’s budget does not adequately allocate money to health care expenses and appropriate, necessary research. [23] Israel believes the current healthcare system is better than the United States and Europe, but the government still wants to enhance the current infrastructure and strive for an even more effective system.[24] At this point, there have been talks about reallocating money from the education budget, but it is still early, and no final decisions have been made.[25]

Measured during the third day of Passover, there were 95 deaths reported from the novel coronavirus. [26] With this update, the government has planned new measures that will be in full force to follow Passover. [27] On April 12th, 2020, the government has made it mandatory for all individuals over the age of 6 years old to wear a mask when out in public.[28] When the provisions was first put into place, the Israeli government did not decide on a fine or penalty for violating, but this could be a possibility moving forward. [29]

Moving forward, Israel is confident with its response and the impact and results of certain changes.[30] Israel is starting to look forward to what they may be able to do if they continue to have favorable outcomes. [31] One current conversation revolves around allowing individuals to leave their homes and go further than 100 meters, but the government still thinks certain public spaces, such as shopping malls, should be closed.[32]

#Rothman #Israel #Coronavirus #Passover

[1] What is Passover?, Chabad, https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover-Pesach.htm

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Id.

[5] Passover, History, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/passover

[6] Coronavirus Passover: Israel under lockdown, 69 people dead, The Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Coronavirus-closure-could-last-past-Passover-reports-623856

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Id.

[10] Isabel Kershner, Passover Under Lockdown: Israeli Jews Revise the Rituals, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/world/middleeast/coronavirus-passover-israel.html.

[11] Id.