Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Special Coverage Coronavirus Outbreak

Israel's chief rabbi signals he may support synagogue closures on Yom Kippur

The development comes as the country broke a record of daily infections with nearly 7,000 new cases on Tuesday.

by  i24NEWS and ILH Staff
Published on  09-23-2020 18:11
Last modified: 09-23-2020 18:12
Ministry: 1 out of 4 corona cases contracted at synagogueYossi Zeliger

Crews disinfect a synagogue as part of the fight against COVID-19 | Photo: Yossi Zeliger

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Israel's Chief Rabbi David Lau hinted on Wednesday that he would support closing synagogues on Yom Kippur if health officials decide "it's the right thing to do."

Despite a general lockdown in place for nearly a week, the country's religious community has so far protested against the possibility of closing places of worship or banning public prayers, owing to disobey health restrictions if the government closed synagogues during high holiday period.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

While Rabbi Lau told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that the religious public will not obey the guidelines until similar restrictions are placed on protesters, he now appears to have backtracked on the demand.

Religious leaders have balked at the suggestion that synagogues be closed while protesters are allowed to continue gathering in the thousands, mainly outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem to protest Netanyahu's handling of the coronavirus pandemic along with his corruption trial.

The development comes as the country broke a record of daily infections with nearly 7,000 new cases being identified on Tuesday alone, according to the latest data released by the Health Ministry. 

The religious leader thus indicated that he would support the closing of synagogues "if the medical authorities decide that it can considerably reduce risk and save lives."

Netanyahu was expected to push for a tightening of containment at a coronavirus cabinet meeting Wednesday afternoon, and would even consider declaring a state of emergency in the country.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

Tags: chief rabbiCoronavirusDavid Lau

Related Posts

A bat from the past? Scientists identify new Covid-like virusThomas Peter/Reuters

A bat from the past? Scientists identify new Covid-like virus

by Adi Nirman

Discovery at Wuhan facility shows virus uses similar cell entry mechanism as COVID-19.

Israel reinstates PCR tests at Ben-Gurion AirportYossi Zeliger

Israel reinstates PCR tests at Ben-Gurion Airport

by Shimon Yaish

Travelers returning from abroad can be tested for COVID at the government's expense. Testing is voluntary, for now.

Israel launches COVID vaccination campaign for children 5 and youngerGetty Images

Israel launches COVID vaccination campaign for children 5 and younger

by Maytal Yasur Beit-Or

Parents inoculating young children will be able to choose between Moderna and Pfizer shots. Healthcare providers stress the importance of...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il