A key ritual ahead of Rosh Hashanah has been effectively banned by Israel's Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The Tashlich, a prayer during which Jews symbolically throw their sins to the water to purify themselves ahead of the Jewish new year, sometimes draws crowds and often involve large gatherings, potentially creating superspreader events that could exacerbate the coronavirus crisis.
Lau issued a special directive to observant Jews noting that "reciting the Tashlich does not have to be near a source of water, and therefore no such gatherings shall take place this year." He added that "the prayer can be carried out from afar."
Lau further urged synagogue organizers to take the necessary preparations for the High Holy Days, including by writing down the congregants' names to ensure proper separation into "mini services." Likewise, the traditional blow of the shofar must be performed far away from worshippers to ensure virus-carrying droplets are not distributed across a large area.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
