Rights and Responsibilities

 

Dear JCCP/CBT Family,

Wednesday was a difficult day in our nation’s struggle against COVID-19.  According to multiple new outlets, three significant records were set that day.  None of them were good ones.


  • Highest daily number of new coronavirus cases (247,357)

  • Hospitalizations (113,069)

  • Deaths (3656)

Despite the great news about the efficacy of the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna, these sad statistics remind us that the pandemic continues to spread its misery in large numbers.  Think of the number of deaths.  That is more than our nation suffered at Pearl Harbor, on 9/11, on D-Day, or even the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history. You would have to go back to the terrible battles of the Civil War to see such large daily death tolls.
 
The three records set on Wednesday should be a stark reminder to all that we must continue to heed the warnings of our public health officials and the pleas of responsible elected officials.  Wear a mask. Maintain social distance. Stay at home as much as possible. And get the vaccine when it becomes available to the general public.  I will, and I want you to as well.

I have spoken to so many members of the congregation since the pandemic began, so I know you are talking this seriously.  Yet at the same time, I also know that many of you are worn out and tired of the restrictions.  I know you are lonely for your loved ones who are outside your immediate households and I know what a heartache it is to have missed wonderful family events and holidays celebrations that can’t be replaced.  But given the statistics I quoted, this is not the time to cease our vigilance. Not even for a moment.  Because that is all it takes to endanger yourself, and others.

I share this message with you today because on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a North Caldwell Catholic priest and a Lakewood rabbi who sued Gov. Murphy over coronavirus restrictions on worship services. The Supreme Court vacated a lower court’s ruling that was in Murphy's favor, which restricted attendance at religious service. The decision comes less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New York houses of worship that challenged New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pandemic restrictions.
 
For the record, the JCCP/CBT is not only following the state guidelines and regulations, but our standards are even more restrictive.  We thank the entire membership for their support.  We have made these decisions to ensure the safety and health of our community.

Now there are tremendous First Amendment issues at stake here that are worthy of serious consideration, and my weekly Shabbat message does not afford me to opportunity address this important issue in all of its complexity.  But I would simply remind you that although the court’s recent decisions deal with rights, our Jewish heritage and religious doctrine is mainly concerned with  responsibilities.  And now, our primary responsibility is to protect our own health, the health of our neighbors, and do everything we can to stop this pandemic. 

Keep far from any religious leader who would counsel otherwise.
 
Shabbat Shalom,
 
Rabbi Arthur Weiner

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