The Rabbinical Council of America

RCA Calls for Respect During Election Season At this time of unbridled political debate and heated rhetoric on the eve of the election, the Rabbinical Council of America calls on its members and their congregations to recognize that our Jewish values must inform not only our political views, but also the manner in which we advocate for them. These views address issues of great importance for our world. However, we are greatly pained at the impact that partisan divisions have ...had on our communities, and in particular on our synagogues. Our synagogues, places of community and gathering, have become toxic for some. Those whose views are not shared by the majority may feel attacked, unwelcome, or marginalized. When this happens, the damage to the fabric of the community and the sanctity of the Beit Knesset is deeply regrettable. We call on all our members and their congregations to use this election season as an opportunity to teach the lessons that the Torah has to offer. We urge our members to find ways to refrain from harsh expressions of positions and coarseness of speech and to allow everyone to feel part of our community, even when they disagree. We recall the great rabbis Hillel and Shammai, whose opposing views coexisted because they acted for the sake of the greater good and respected each other despite their strong disagreements over matters of Heaven and Earth. Their approach teaches us the ideal of how we should treat those in our community with whom we disagree to argue convincingly, respect strongly, and maintain our positions for the sake of the greater good. It is true that politics by nature is often partisan and disagreements are natural, yet, as George Washington noted in his farewell address, the worst enemy of government is loyalty to party over nation. We hope that just as our most important prayers are recited communally, that the positions we express, whether at home, in the synagogue, on the street, or online, maintain that sense of community. We urge every member and congregant to exercise their right to vote in this election. And as we choose the next leader of this great nation, we reaffirm that no matter the outcome of this election, we will pray for his safety and welfare, as well as for the security,wellbeing, and rights of all people. This has been our tradition for generations, as our sages have instructed us, and this will be our practice until the coming of the Messiah, may he arrive speedily in our day. May the Almighty continue to bless our great country with prosperity and peace and may all our people continue to be part of the great political process of this great nation.

RCA and OU Guidance for Coronavirus in our Community - October 28, 2020 https://www.ou.org/covid19/ As we move into the fall and winter season, we must review the policies, values, and considerations that will inform our behavior in the coming months. The ongoing commitment of our shuls, rabbis, and lay leadership to provide a safe and compliant environment for so many of their members has been a true Kiddush HaShem, particularly as these efforts enabled us to experience a me...aningful, yet safe, Yom Tov season in and around our shuls. We hope and pray that Hakadosh Baruch Hu will view these efforts as a merit for klal Yisrael, and that He will see fit to bring a safe and speedy conclusion to the pandemic and its challenges. The pandemic continues to be a real concern. While Baruch Hashem the levels of hospitalization and death are significantly less than at the earliest stages of the pandemic, the disease ontinues to be present, highly contagious, and often very dangerous. As such, we are obligated to continue to maintain necessary public health measures. While continued observance of these measures is increasingly challenging, it is ever more important as colder weather sets in and many outdoor activities will need to move indoors where the environment poses more of a risk for spreading the virus.

https://traditiononline.org/halakha-approaches-the-covid-1/

Praying for a Refuah Sheleimah for Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks The Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University and the Rabbinical Council of America are calling upon the broader Jewish community to devote a portion of their Torah learning and prayers on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Monday, Oct. 19, to the healing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Yaakov Tzvi Ben Liba. Rabbi Sacks serves as a profoundly eloquent teacher and spokesman for Torah valuesa beacon of Kiddush Hashemwithin the Jewish c...ommunity and throughout the world. We share a collective hope and prayer for his full recovery.

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RCA Statement on New York COVID Protests The Rabbinical Council of America, the leading membership organization of Orthodox rabbis in North America, notes with great dismay the recent violent protests that have taken place in some Jewish communities in New York in response to government restrictions following rising COVID-19 infection rates. We expect government officials to apply the same standards to religious gatherings and houses of worship as they do to other activities ...and institutions. Nevertheless, we do not condone violence and the wanton disregard of safety standards and precautions during a time of a global pandemic. The burning of masks by some misguided individuals sent a message that is antithetical to our religious obligation to protect health, safety and wellbeing. The violent attacks perpetrated against some were in opposition to our sacred law. We call on the religious and communal leadership of communities that have experienced outbreaks of COVID to find common ground in order to preserve both safety and the religious liberties of all citizens. Our Jewish tradition demands that we respond to challenges with careful consideration, reason, and if need be, peaceful protests. The RCA calls on everyone to observe all safety precautions including the wearing of masks, proper social distancing, and hand washing.

https://ouintranet.org//Succot-and-Simchat-Torah-Guidance.