Don’t Kiss the Mezuzah and other rules in the Holy Land
How are things unique to the Holy Land during the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are a few tidbits... Public gatherings are forbidden, but there are exceptions for some Jewish religious functions, including circumcision (max 10 persons) and funerals (max 20 persons). One can leave the house for only a few reasons , namely for essential groceries, medicines and medical treatment, but also donating blood, protesting (in groups of 10 or less) and visiting a mikvah ( ritual bath ). Until recently, people were permitted to exercise outdoors (empty roads + warm weather = great jogging) but with the restrictions, there are a LOT of people walking around with empty grocery bags. The Israeli government has also legalized the usage of cellphone-tracking technology, ostensibly to track the movement of anyone under official quarantine. Shalom, big brother. The Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi has forbidden people from customarily touching or kissing the mezuzah , a slim casing containing Heb...