[Avodah] How To Religiously Respond to the Pandemic

[Alexander Seinfeld]

It is wonderful and vital to give people hadracha and hope during this
crisis.

However, isn¹t there a much bigger proverbial elephant in the room?

Facts: 

1. Covid-19 is not killing indiscriminately. It is discriminating very
clearly between people with robust v. weak immune systems. This fact is
becoming more and more clear as more data become available.

2. Some people¹s immune systems are beyond their control. Most people,
however, have control over their immune systems. For instance, someone who
exercises vigorously every day, eats leafy green vegetables every day, takes
vitamin-D supplements and maintains a healthy BMI will have a stronger
immune system than someone who lacks any of the above. The death rate among
the obese, sedentary, smokers etc is far, far higher than the thin, active
non-smokers.

3. The Medrash (Vayikra Raba 16:8, last week¹s parsha) states that 99% of
people do not live their full potential lifetime due to neglecting their
health. 

Isn¹t the halacha that one must be more cautious about our health than
avoiding issur? 

Does it not appear that if every Yid were caring for his health
appropriately, the Covid-19 death rate would be very low if not zero?

What would it take for the Rabbanim ­ in kehilas, blogs, magazines - to
speak and write publicly about personal responsibility for health-promoting
daily practices in addition to avoiding sakana?

"Rambam puts the responsibility for your health on you; whatever happens,
you¹re the one who is responsible." - R¹ Avigdor Miller (Rav Avigdor Miller
on Emunah and Bitachon, p. 84)


Alexander Seinfeld







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