Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau met with senior health ministry officials Wednesday regarding the coronavirus epidemic and its halachic ramifications. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, the director-general of the ministry, Moshe Simantov and other senior officials. The officials discussed immersing in a Mikveh while under quarantine and the issue of reading the Megillah for those who have been quarantined.
After attending the meeting Rabbi Lau issued a surprising ruling, stating that it is prohibited to kiss mezuzot during the course of the coronavirus epidemic. “In these days, when we are witnessing the spread of a virulent disease, there is no doubt that one should not kiss the mezuzos or touch them at all. It is enough for a person to think when entering and exiting about what is written in the mezuzah and this will accompany him on his way,” Rabbi Lau wrote.
