Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Advice about sitting or dwelling in the Sukkah during the pandemic was issued this week from the Rabbinical Assembly, the organization of the Conservative Rabbinate. Entitled, "Advice for Sukkah use . . .  in the Time of Covid-19," the article represents the view of one particular Rabbi and is considered advisory and not obligatory. The full text is available on the Rabbinical Assembly website. I share some excerpts for your edification:

"Sukkah is one of the most beautiful and meaningful mitzvot in our tradition. Under normal circumstances, we are encouraged to eat and sleep in the sukkah, and in particular, invite guests. However, it is unlikely that the COVID pandemic will be behind us by Sukkot 5781. There is a general principle that we do not risk life to fulfill any positive mItzvah. As such, the obligation to use a sukkah does not apply if doing so would lead to a danger of illness.

 One who is ill is exempt from the sukkah, so anyone experiencing possible COVID symptoms or awaiting clearance following an exposure may be considered exempt from the sukkah. The most minimal observance of the mitzvah of sukkah is to eat an olive's worth of bread in it the first night of the holiday. However, under the current circumstances, if there is any concern about the availability of a safe sukkah experience, one is actually exempt from the mitzvah, and may eat one's meals indoors.

 It is not safe to have members of multiple households share a sukkah at the densities that we might experience in other years. Competent medical advice should be consulted as to whether a particular sukkah is large enough to accommodate multiple families at the same time."

It is noteworthy that this particular approach to observing the mitzvah of the Sukkah was written by a Rabbi knowledgeable of Jewish law and in consultation with a public health professional with over 30+ years of experience at the CDC in health emergency response.

I wish everyone a joyous, safe, and thoughtful celebration of Sukkot.

Moadim L'Simcha and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison