Coronavirus and the Chareidi Response: a Conversation with Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo (54)

The response to coronavirus protocols in Israeli ultra-Orthodox society has been disheartening. Of course, blaming the entire ultra-Orthodox world for the actions of a subset is absurd and unfair. And claiming that the Chareidi world somehow bears unique blame when the Tel Aviv beaches are often full, and protests against the government continue often without any concern for protocols, seems equally problematic. But we simply can’t ignore the verifiable fact that a significantly greater percentage of Chareidi Jews have contracted the coronavirus than the Israeli national average; and this is at least partially the result of an overly relaxed attitude towards guidelines implemented by the government and recommended by the medical establishment. In order to discuss this problem, Scott spoke with Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, the Founder and Dean of the David Cardozo Academy and the Bet Midrash of Avraham Avinu in Jerusalem. The reason he reached out to him was because Rav Cardozo released an open letter to HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, who is widely regarded as the spiritual leader of much of the Israeli Chareidi world. The letter was a frank and pained request that he and other Chareidi rabbis do more to address the unacceptable ignoring of protocols among some members of ultra-Orthodox society. You can read the letter here: https://www.cardozoacademy.org/an-open-letter-to-rav-chaim-kanievsky-shlita/ Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com