Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual. | | February 23, 2021 - 11 Adar 5781 News from the Agudah:
- See below for drinking guidelines for Purim that have been distributed by the Agudah for almost 20 years. And...
- ...reminder: This Purim cannot be "as usual." See below for the Agudah's Guidelines for this upcoming Purim, based on consultation with our rabbinic leadership and medical specialists.
- News from Washington: Rabbi Abba Cohen submitted comments to the SBA expressing the Agudah's support for an SBA proposal allowing religious organizations to participate in business loan and disaster programs. See below for more details.
- On a lighter note, we're pleased to share with you, with his kind permission, a fresh take on the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah's recent Ki Am Kadosh Kol Korei from Rabbi Yosef Sonnenschein, Rav of Khal Bnai Shalom in Waterbury, CT. In whatever format, the message is one we should take to heart as we approach Purim! Click here to read the poem.
- Between now and Purim, we will be having special shiurim in honor of Purim - please see below for this weeks full schedule, and we hope you'll join! Shiurim will be archived at https://agudah.org/torah-projects/ if you missed them when they played live.
| | Agudah Drinking Guidelines | | For close to 20 years, the Agudah has shared guidelines for the use of alcohol on Purim, specifically how it relates to bochurim's drinking. This letter has been signed by many Roshei Yeshiva who joined to inform the community, and their talmidim, of this serious issue. | | Purim 5781: A Time for Mindfulness and Care | | As we prepare for this upcoming Purim, we can remind ourselves how this past year might have been different had we only known last Purim what we know now. We now do know, however, that Purim has the potential to be a "super-spreader" of the terrible pandemic, and are required to think of our neighbors' and family members' health and safety with great gravity and concern, especially as more highly infectious strains of the COVID-19 virus are proliferating. We are, by now, all well-schooled in proper safety guidelines; in case anyone needs a reminder, please see here for the latest CDC guidance. Based on consultation with our rabbinic leadership and medical specialists, the Agudah is providing the following recommended guidelines for the upcoming Purim. Specific areas that require mindfulness and care this year include: - Heightened Public Scrutiny: It is critical to remind ourselves that the eyes of the world are upon us, and will likely be watching us closely this Purim. Acting appropriately in public is always important; how much more so this Purim.
- Mesibos and Seudos: Community Purim seudos, mesibos, or other gatherings, even with appropriate precautions, should be avoided.
- Megillah Reading: Depending upon circumstances, and under the guidance of local rabbonim, shuls should consider adding extra sessions of Megillah reading to ensure that everyone can hear the Megillah without dangerous overcrowding.
- Collecting and Distributing Tzedakah: Both givers and collectors of tzedakah funds in each community should minimize contact and social interaction this Purim. Of course, matanos l'evyonim and tzedakah should remain at least at the same level as previous years. Bochurim should not go out in groups to collect money. Mosdos whose talmidim usually circulate through communities might consider, this year, setting up a phone bank where the bochurim can call the yeshiva's supporters for donations.
- Drinking: In light of the extra need to be careful with COVID-19 transmission, and with the imperative of avoiding chillul Hashem, it is even more important that bochurim, and those hosting them, follow the established guidelines of the gedolim about not getting drunk on Purim, available here.
- Mishloach Manos: In fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manos, it would be prudent to limit our mishloach manos giving and to minimize social interaction with the people to whom we give.
- Suspected Illness: Anyone suspected positive for COVID-19 or who has been exposed to COVID-19 must not go to shul. Consult with your rav on how to fulfill the mitzvos of Purim while keeping the appropriate doctor-approved precautions.
May we be zoche to observe Purim this year properly and safely with a full measure of simchah shel mitzvah! | | Agudath Israel Supports SBA Proposal Allowing Religious Organizations to Participate in Business Loan and Disaster Programs | | Agudath Israel of America has expressed strong support for a U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) proposal on "Ensuring Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations in SBA's Loan and Disaster Assistance Programs." The rule would eliminate provisions that make certain faith-based organizations ineligible to participate in several SBA business loan and disaster programs simply because they are religious. In comments submitted in response to the SBA's proposed rule, Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel's Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director, laid out the organization's reasons for supporting the agency's action. Rabbi Cohen explained that the SBA's analysis is legally compelling and the agency has a duty to implement the proposed changes, as excluding an organization from a federal relief program, based solely on the organizations religious status, would violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. He argued that recent U.S. Supreme Court cases clearly and unequivocally demonstrate that the Constitution requires "equal treatment" of religious entities who seek to participate in such federal programs. Moreover, Rabbi Cohen averred, the proposed rule's leveling of the playing field for religious entities represents sound public policy. Being that faith-based organizations provide vital services to meet the most pressing needs of their communities, especially during disasters and times of crises, the government should support both their eligibility and their efforts. In fact, it is often the government itself that reaches out to such organizations, many of which are having their own disaster-related financial difficulties, to help serve their communities during time of distress. "It is incumbent upon our government to do whatever is can to help religious groups do their vital work and to remove any unnecessary or illegal restriction that bars the assistance they, and we in our nation, desperately need," Rabbi Cohen observes. | | The shiurim will continue next week with the access information as follows: | | | | | | |
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