Israel's synagogues opened their doors to worshippers on Wednesday, under strict social distancing guidelines.
In a meeting Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, and head of the National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat, along with other officials, agreed on a series of regulations designed to allow congregants to attend synagogue while continuing to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Synagogues are permitted to admit up to 50 congregants, who must maintain a distance of two meters (six feet) from each other. Each synagogue must appoint an official to ensure that coronavirus measures are upheld, and congregants must wear masks.
Before Tuesday's meeting, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau wrote "urgently" to Netanyahu, asking him to open synagogues immediately.
Lau explained that since most public places were resuming operations, it was unfair to keep houses of worship closed.
"It cannot be that despite the general removal of restrictions, synagogues remain locked," he wrote.
The chief rabbi also told Netanyahu that he was committed to ensuring that Health Ministry regulations were observed during prayers.
"Many restrictions are now being lifted, and life is beginning to go back to normal. Public prayer holds an important place in Jewish life. During the shutdown, I issued halachic orders about how to pray in public under the circumstances. The public, showing full responsibility, complied, and acted according to these instructions.
"Many are astonished that shopping centers and restaurants are resuming normal operations while no solution has been found for synagogues," Lau wrote.
Lau stated that he understood "how much this pained people."
"Unfortunately, their voice is not being heard. We must issue clear instructions on this matter as soon as possible, and send the observant public back to synagogues, sooner rather than later," he urged.
After the government decision was announced, Lau welcomed it and thanked the officials.
Lau has called on the religious public to show the utmost respect for synagogues and follow health regulations carefully to avoid a situation in which houses of worship would have to be shuttered again.
