5 Nisan 5780
A completely virtual event, this is a large part of what has been keeping me sane lately - along with other Torah sources and my writing! There is hope at the end of the tunnel. Come along for the ride and lose the fear!
Each set of interviews is approximately 2 or more hours long. Well worth the time!
Register here NOW for FREE ACCESS all week long!
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VIRAL AWAKENING: FROM GLOBAL CHAOS TO A DIVINE WORLD
Roundtable Interviews with host SHIFRA CHANA HENDRIE
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1. CORONAVIRUS: THE SPIRITUAL ANTIDOTE
Guest Speakers: Yehudis Golshevsky, R' Simon Jacobson, R' Tovia Singer
2. CORONAVIRUS AND CO-CREATION: FROM CHAOS TO CONSCIOUSNESS
Guest Speakers: R' Amichai Cohen, R' Doniel Katz, Sarah Yehudit Schneider
3. CORONAVIRUS AND HEALING: ACTIVATING HIDDEN POTENTIAL
Guest Speakers: Haya Baker, Devora Gila Berkowitz, Yocheved Rindenow Kalev
4. FROM MOSES TO MOSHIACH: AWAKENING YOUR HOLY SPARK WITHIN
Guest Speakers: R' Aaron Raskin, Shimona Tzukernik, R' Reuven Wolf
5. CORONAVIRUS TO SOUL-EMPOWERED LEADERSHIP: THE PATH FORWARD NOW
Guest Speakers: Sara Tova Best, Chana Rus Cohen, Devorah Yaffa Singer, Devorah Sisso
6. KABBALISTIC SECRETS OF MOSHIACH: WHY, WHEN, WHO AND HOW
Guest Speaker: R' Reuven Wolf - video in 2 parts
...and all the Divine Matrix Prayer/Healing Sessions that go with them...if you don't know what that is, all the more reason to try one!
*****************************************************************************************
Register here NOW for FREE ACCESS all week long!
All we have to lose is our fear.
30 March 2020
29 March 2020
"New World Order"...or HQB"H Resetting Creation Before Mashiah?
light of 5 Nisan 5780
Many events in this time period we are living in — which really began about mid-November 2019, approximately 17 Heshvan5779 5780 — have an aspect of opposites in them. As people become more aware of the dangers of coronavirus, they are seeing the obvious aspect of "the end of the world."
Bottom line, "the end of the world" could mean two things: Takeover by the wicked of the world, or takeover by HaQadosh Baruch Hu and His servant, Mashiah.
This can be easily demonstrated through gematria: Everyone knows by now that Nahash (נחש) - snake and Mashiah (משיח) both equal 358 and that they are opposites.
An even stronger connection can be made between Keter (כתר) - crown (and Corona) and Karet (כרת) - "cut off." They are made up of the same letters, equaling 620, combining the 613 Jewish mitzvoth and the 7 Noahide ones (and 8 —which stands for "above nature" if you add all the numbers of the sum together)!
(Many thanks to True Tzadikkim (towards the bottom of the post) for most of the gematria analysis. H/T to Myrtle Rising, comments section.)
So, which is it? Crown Mashiah or be cut off?
Depends. Choose wisely.
I'll quote from a text conversation on Tomer Devorah between another commenter and me, as follows (original text included):
***
Devash went on to quote my questions two posts later and took the opportunity to clarify how to approach the answer to them. I think that she and I pretty much understand each other, although we've never met personally. So there may be room for misunderstanding, but I don't think we disagree all that often.
I was looking at the very end of this process, and I skipped over the important in-between step, part of which was already taken by the commenter to whom I had replied, whom I've quoted above. In a way (as Devash may have intuited), they are one posting by two people. After all, I did pass on to her a video (the last comment, as far as I know) that spoke to my anonymous fellow commenter's point, and she reposted it here.
Also, we were warned after that —yesterday, in fact — by Ynet about real cops being in our streets, enforcing the lockdown.
The in-between part I skipped is that the false messiahs go first. G-d has always been known to test his closest ones in a more exacting manner than others. The whole Israelites-in-the-desert experience (which the whole world knows about by now) was test after test after test...
And so it is now. Will Jews go after one of the "first" alternatives, including the "one world government" along with the religious alternatives, or will we wait for the real Messiah?
I was taught the lesson in high school many years ago, using the speeches of Brutus and Marcus Antonius at the funeral of Julius Caesar, that it is better to go last than first (this link is to a somewhat more detailed analysis of the speeches, and includes this concept...) because the last speaker has the advantage of being able to spot the previous speakers' weaknesses.
Of course, haShem doesn't have to study His opposition, since He created and knows them all, including their weaknesses. It's whether we know them, too, that counts, as far as we're concerned.
All the more so, it is better that G-d's candidate for Mashiah go last, for our sake. Wait for it!
More reading:
Erasing the Old World | Before You Judge Your Brother | How Do We Know? | Could Coronavirus be the "King" whose Decrees are as Harsh as Haman? | Corona and "Umeihadarim Eimah" part 1 part 2 | If the PA Lacks Funds to Combat the Coronavirus... | Religious Jews are among the biggest victims of COVID-19 | BD"E Could This Be Another Plague of Darkness? | Rav Elyashiv, the Vilna Ga'on's Lottery, and Coronavirus | ...when the government decides to be the only distributor of bread... | COVID-19 Case Map (Johns Hopkins) |
 |
| The first step to building a skyscraper is to dig a huge hole...(source) |
Many events in this time period we are living in — which really began about mid-November 2019, approximately 17 Heshvan
Bottom line, "the end of the world" could mean two things: Takeover by the wicked of the world, or takeover by HaQadosh Baruch Hu and His servant, Mashiah.
This can be easily demonstrated through gematria: Everyone knows by now that Nahash (נחש) - snake and Mashiah (משיח) both equal 358 and that they are opposites.
An even stronger connection can be made between Keter (כתר) - crown (and Corona) and Karet (כרת) - "cut off." They are made up of the same letters, equaling 620, combining the 613 Jewish mitzvoth and the 7 Noahide ones (and 8 —which stands for "above nature" if you add all the numbers of the sum together)!
(Many thanks to True Tzadikkim (towards the bottom of the post) for most of the gematria analysis. H/T to Myrtle Rising, comments section.)
So, which is it? Crown Mashiah or be cut off?
Depends. Choose wisely.
I'll quote from a text conversation on Tomer Devorah between another commenter and me, as follows (original text included):
***
Anonymous 27/3/20 6:12 PM
Yep we can expect the call for "global government" to get louder and louder.
A "global government" needs a "global leader" for a "global economy" for a "global population" which needs a "global religion".
Welcome Armilus aka "second coming" aka "mahdi".
May the Goel Tzedek ben Yosef not die in battle...
A "global government" needs a "global leader" for a "global economy" for a "global population" which needs a "global religion".
Welcome Armilus aka "second coming" aka "mahdi".
May the Goel Tzedek ben Yosef not die in battle...
How do we know that the global leader won't be Mashiah?
How do we know that the global government won't function without the Jewish system at its head?
How do we know that H' won't turn everything upside down so that His religion will be the global religion?
That would be really "v'nahafokh hu"...wouldn't it?
How do we know that the global government won't function without the Jewish system at its head?
How do we know that H' won't turn everything upside down so that His religion will be the global religion?
That would be really "v'nahafokh hu"...wouldn't it?
***
I was looking at the very end of this process, and I skipped over the important in-between step, part of which was already taken by the commenter to whom I had replied, whom I've quoted above. In a way (as Devash may have intuited), they are one posting by two people. After all, I did pass on to her a video (the last comment, as far as I know) that spoke to my anonymous fellow commenter's point, and she reposted it here.
Also, we were warned after that —yesterday, in fact — by Ynet about real cops being in our streets, enforcing the lockdown.
The in-between part I skipped is that the false messiahs go first. G-d has always been known to test his closest ones in a more exacting manner than others. The whole Israelites-in-the-desert experience (which the whole world knows about by now) was test after test after test...
And so it is now. Will Jews go after one of the "first" alternatives, including the "one world government" along with the religious alternatives, or will we wait for the real Messiah?
I was taught the lesson in high school many years ago, using the speeches of Brutus and Marcus Antonius at the funeral of Julius Caesar, that it is better to go last than first (this link is to a somewhat more detailed analysis of the speeches, and includes this concept...) because the last speaker has the advantage of being able to spot the previous speakers' weaknesses.
Of course, haShem doesn't have to study His opposition, since He created and knows them all, including their weaknesses. It's whether we know them, too, that counts, as far as we're concerned.
All the more so, it is better that G-d's candidate for Mashiah go last, for our sake. Wait for it!
More reading:
Erasing the Old World | Before You Judge Your Brother | How Do We Know? | Could Coronavirus be the "King" whose Decrees are as Harsh as Haman? | Corona and "Umeihadarim Eimah" part 1 part 2 | If the PA Lacks Funds to Combat the Coronavirus... | Religious Jews are among the biggest victims of COVID-19 | BD"E Could This Be Another Plague of Darkness? | Rav Elyashiv, the Vilna Ga'on's Lottery, and Coronavirus | ...when the government decides to be the only distributor of bread... | COVID-19 Case Map (Johns Hopkins) |
27 March 2020
Rabbi Akiva’s Seder Coping With Corona
2 Nisan 5780
by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here
by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here
|
|
|
25 March 2020
Life After Death: A Class by R' Ephraim Sprecher
29 Adar 5780 | Yom Kippur Qatan | Erev Rosh Hodesh Nisan
Note: This video was recorded in Diaspora Yeshiva's Rebbe's study by an independent source (Szerman Films) as raw footage two years ago, and provided to R' Sprecher's media provider for posting during the corona crisis. Watch and see how relevant it is today, especially toward the end! - HDG
Note: This video was recorded in Diaspora Yeshiva's Rebbe's study by an independent source (Szerman Films) as raw footage two years ago, and provided to R' Sprecher's media provider for posting during the corona crisis. Watch and see how relevant it is today, especially toward the end! - HDG
23 March 2020
CORONA’s Wake-Up Call! + VIDEO
the light of 28 Adar 5780
by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here!
But what
do we do in the meantime? As the Prophet states, in the Dawn of the Messianic Era,
“Go, My People, enter your rooms and close your doors behind you, hide for a
while until the wrath and PLAGUE has passed.” (Isaiah 26:20)
***
by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here!
The
Rambam in Hilchot Taanit informs us that times of great distress and suffering,
like we are now experiencing, are times for introspection. G‑d wants us to
reflect and think about how to become a better person. This Coronavirus is
telling us that there are two areas where we should improve ourselves: The
value of quality family time and the pain of loneliness.
This
mandatory quarantine of family reminds us where our true source of strength
lies. Sitting in our rooms, cut off from the rest of the world, forces us to
undergo a process of self‑examination; but what values are truly important to
us? Not our careers or financial success, but values of spirit, faith and
family.
The
Coronavirus that has put millions of people into isolation reminds us that
there are people who are always socially isolated. Do we pay attention to those
people who suffer from constant loneliness, who return to an empty apartment
day after day? These lonely people who have no family, those who are home alone
waiting for someone to give them a friendly hello, do we hear their voice and
feel their pain? Perhaps this virus that forces us to become lonely is a wake-up
call to remember all the lonely people.
Loneliness
can be painful, but it is also easy to alleviate with a friendly smile, a kind
word, a cheerful greeting or a phone call. If each of us remembers one lonely
person and reaches out to that person by inviting them to a Shabbat meal (after
the crisis is over) can make a huge contribution to light up one’s life as
Debbie Boone sang: YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE.
Perhaps
the Coronavirus and the loneliness that has been imposed on us gives us a taste
of what loneliness really feels like. We miss our social encounters that we are
accustomed to. This disease gives us a wonderful opportunity to lessen the pain
of lonely people because we’re all in this together.
This
week’s parsha is VAYIKRA, and we know that the parsha always speaks to Current
Events. Vayikra means G‑d calls out to each and every one of us! Reach out and
touch one lonely person and bring a little joy and sunshine into their lonely
lives. This is G‑d’s message to each and every one of us in this week’s parsha.
In
the merit of this great Mitzvah, our prayers will be answered and we will
overcome this deadly disease in peace and in health.
***
18 March 2020
Faithless Leaders In Time Of Crisis (guest post)
22 Adar 5780
l'iluy nishmat my father, Lazer Wolf ben Zvi Hirsh, z"l
by Rav Kenneth Cohen, Machon Meir | reblogged with permission; first published here
The current Corona crisis is very stressful and challenging for all. What is needed at this time, are leaders able to guide us with optimism and hope, while directing us practically how to beat this disease. It is most disturbing to hear continuous prophecies of doom, night after night from our prime minister and health department officials. They have demonstrated a complete lack of faith, and are greatly harming the morale of the Jewish people.
Wouldn’t an address to the nation be far more effective, if it began with some words of encouragement? For example, “With G-d’s help we have successfully managed to avoid not even one fatality. Indications are that those carrying the virus, will all be cured. We are so grateful to G-d for His goodness. Let us pray that we continue to receive His blessings of benevolence and kindness. Nevertheless, we must do our part to be certain the Corona virus will not spread by taking the necessary precautions.”
Contrast this to what we heard from the faithless member of the Ministry of Health, when he said that “thousands will die in Israel.” What gives him the right to play G-d and make such horrible predictions? The Rabbis of the Talmud tell us that a doctor is given the right to heal, not decree how long one will live! I fear that such ongoing negativity, will have the reverse effect, and people will not take them seriously.
Instead of giving an empty statement saying that we’ve weathered other storms, and we will overcome this, why not refer to our history and the resiliency of the Jewish people, only because of Divine help. We are living proof of the miracle of the survival of a people under the bleakest conditions. We have survived holocausts, expulsions, and every form of persecution imaginable, and with G-d’s help, we overcame. Such words give strength and help avoid feelings of despair.
Why is it unacceptable for a Jewish leader to encourage people to pray, and a Gentile American president is able to call for a day of prayer? It is at times like these where one is able to reap the benefits of living a life of religious observance. His spiritual convictions allow him to understand the power of prayer, and even in the darkest hours, salvation can come in a moment. When one studies Torah, he connects to other instances where a bleak situation turned into one of great joy.
One such example was celebrated last week when we observed the holiday of Purim. It was only due to the unity, fasting, and prayer, of the Jewish people, that changed the evil decree of Haman, to a day of rejoicing. On Yom Kippur afternoon, we read the story of Jonah and the Whale. Jonah ran away as he thought the people of Nineveh were deserving of punishment. When they were warned that they had three days to repent, they did so, and were saved.
In Egypt, we are taught that a majority of Jews were idol worshippers, but when their sincere cries of the pain of their servitude reached the Heavens, G-d had mercy, and we were redeemed. This teaches that sincere prayer coming from any Jew, can pierce the Heavens, as well. The Corona virus has taught that the entire world can be brought to its knees, if The Holy One Blessed Be He, so decrees. If that is the case, the decree will end speedily, if every Jew was encouraged to pour out his heart in prayer to our Father in Heaven.
I believe that I am expressing the frustration of many of us, in seeing how this crisis is being handled. I am not questioning whether or not the steps taken will be effective. But I am questioning the faithless leadership that needs to give hope and inspiration during these difficult times. May we all pray from the depths of our hearts, that we be able to celebrate the coming Holiday of Freedom, Passover, in freedom, and not locked up in our homes.
l'iluy nishmat my father, Lazer Wolf ben Zvi Hirsh, z"l
by Rav Kenneth Cohen, Machon Meir | reblogged with permission; first published here
The current Corona crisis is very stressful and challenging for all. What is needed at this time, are leaders able to guide us with optimism and hope, while directing us practically how to beat this disease. It is most disturbing to hear continuous prophecies of doom, night after night from our prime minister and health department officials. They have demonstrated a complete lack of faith, and are greatly harming the morale of the Jewish people.
Wouldn’t an address to the nation be far more effective, if it began with some words of encouragement? For example, “With G-d’s help we have successfully managed to avoid not even one fatality. Indications are that those carrying the virus, will all be cured. We are so grateful to G-d for His goodness. Let us pray that we continue to receive His blessings of benevolence and kindness. Nevertheless, we must do our part to be certain the Corona virus will not spread by taking the necessary precautions.”
Contrast this to what we heard from the faithless member of the Ministry of Health, when he said that “thousands will die in Israel.” What gives him the right to play G-d and make such horrible predictions? The Rabbis of the Talmud tell us that a doctor is given the right to heal, not decree how long one will live! I fear that such ongoing negativity, will have the reverse effect, and people will not take them seriously.
Instead of giving an empty statement saying that we’ve weathered other storms, and we will overcome this, why not refer to our history and the resiliency of the Jewish people, only because of Divine help. We are living proof of the miracle of the survival of a people under the bleakest conditions. We have survived holocausts, expulsions, and every form of persecution imaginable, and with G-d’s help, we overcame. Such words give strength and help avoid feelings of despair.
Why is it unacceptable for a Jewish leader to encourage people to pray, and a Gentile American president is able to call for a day of prayer? It is at times like these where one is able to reap the benefits of living a life of religious observance. His spiritual convictions allow him to understand the power of prayer, and even in the darkest hours, salvation can come in a moment. When one studies Torah, he connects to other instances where a bleak situation turned into one of great joy.
One such example was celebrated last week when we observed the holiday of Purim. It was only due to the unity, fasting, and prayer, of the Jewish people, that changed the evil decree of Haman, to a day of rejoicing. On Yom Kippur afternoon, we read the story of Jonah and the Whale. Jonah ran away as he thought the people of Nineveh were deserving of punishment. When they were warned that they had three days to repent, they did so, and were saved.
In Egypt, we are taught that a majority of Jews were idol worshippers, but when their sincere cries of the pain of their servitude reached the Heavens, G-d had mercy, and we were redeemed. This teaches that sincere prayer coming from any Jew, can pierce the Heavens, as well. The Corona virus has taught that the entire world can be brought to its knees, if The Holy One Blessed Be He, so decrees. If that is the case, the decree will end speedily, if every Jew was encouraged to pour out his heart in prayer to our Father in Heaven.
I believe that I am expressing the frustration of many of us, in seeing how this crisis is being handled. I am not questioning whether or not the steps taken will be effective. But I am questioning the faithless leadership that needs to give hope and inspiration during these difficult times. May we all pray from the depths of our hearts, that we be able to celebrate the coming Holiday of Freedom, Passover, in freedom, and not locked up in our homes.
04 March 2020
A way to help protect ourselves from viral infection...while we're waiting
the light of 9 Adar 5780...
*** My suggestions below are IN ADDITION to all other advice given elsewhere. ***
While we're waiting for measures to be brought to the public around the world for the cure of coronavirus (not to mention the annual flus and the common cold), it occurred to me (a little nudge from HaShem?) that there is a way to help us along just a little, by using available sunlight. I really didn't expect it to be new, but I hadn't heard it before. Healthline explains Flu Protection from the Sun.
Also, an excellent paper from the US National Institutes of Health regarding the benefits and risks of sunlight. Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health
Some of the things that are revealed here:
The article goes on to say that it is still true that skin tone and vitamin D3 content in the blood count for a lot. And since premature aging of the skin is still a problem for many, sunscreen is still recommended for those who need it.
For a lot of people, including the modestly dressed and darker-toned people, D3 supplementation goes well with catching just enough solar rays not to harm you.
The technique
However, my focus for this post is not any of the above, but helping us keep safe from viral infection — particularly and especially the kind that we can carry for a month without even knowing it!
Here is the thought that occurred to me just yesterday concerning a way to get through outings with the least risk. I'm trying it out while the weather transitions.
I realized that, assuming that sunshine is the best disinfectant, if I exposed my hands (palm side first, then the backs of the hands) and face to the sun while outside, for very short periods of time, it might help disinfect them.
The reasoning behind this is that we often touch our faces, and we often touch surfaces with our hands that others have touched. How can we cope while waiting until we get to where we're going, or back home, to wash our hands???
On the other hand, considering how long the virus remains viable on surfaces, we just don't know if or when we touched something that screams "Tagged ya!" and we just didn't hear it, so to speak.
Don't expose your hands and face to the sun for too long. Not long enough to tan (but if you're close enough to the equator, that could happen now! - this was written before spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Today the high UV index rating in Yerushalayim was 6.3.). How long is long enough depends a lot on the color of your skin, how tanned or burned you are, how easily you tan or burn, and how you maintain your skin, including sunscreen and sun-blocking clothing, in addition to the UV index rating outside. We are talking about disinfecting skin that is frequently exposed to germs and viruses while being out and about — not even about getting vitamin D, although that would also help a lot of people.
Israelis come in all colors, so "one size does not fit all"! Head coverings of all sorts are popular around here, and modest clothing is the norm in religious areas, both for men and women.
You want maximum effect on your skin and head orifices. Remember that colds and other viruses can get in through your ears and eyes as well as your nose and mouth.
If you have sunshine at this time of year, take advantage of it! It is not a replacement for hand washing, but it should help keep the germs down. Still, have tissues with you so that you don't have to wipe your eyes or nose with your hand, G-d forbid.
I don't know whether there is research on this method; I'm just trying to use common sense and look ahead.
Some more notes
One thing I've learned through my research is that when the UV index rating gets to be 3 or higher, sun protection is recommended.
Regarding the spiritual aspect: Be careful to give the Creator credit for His creations.
-Thank you, Abba, for the sun You created for our world, and for all the other things we can do until Your healing instrument becomes available; even Mashiah can be revealed during a time like this.
Whether you happen to be in quarantine or not, sunshine through closed windows also disinfects. That is, if you have access to windows on sunny days.
Note to managers of quarantined areas: Don't keep the patients, whether potential or actual, away from sources of sunlight. It might help brighten their mood and save their lives!
*** My suggestions above are IN ADDITION to all other advice given elsewhere. ***
There. I hope I've given some room and time for people to be alone with HQB"H without panicking. Just a little more to go...and Purim approaches. Who knows how the "v'nahafoch hu" ונהפוך הוא phenomenon will be manifested this year?
Kindly let me know if you tried my technique, and how it worked out, would you? Or if you thought about this on your own, I'd like to know that too. Maybe you have an even better idea!
***
More reading from my colleagues
| Coronavirus [COVID-19] Important Facts | Do Not Speak Lashon haRa | Rabbi Kessin's Words on the Virus (includes link to the video) | Situation Update in the Jewish World | Every Day We Create Our Own Judgment | What about Pesach travel? | Chief Rabbi of Tehran Forbids Fasting on Taanis Esther due to CV | The #1 Way to Protect Yourself from Plague, Disease and Other Illnesses |
 |
| Beautiful sunny day - I took this earlier today - HDG |
While we're waiting for measures to be brought to the public around the world for the cure of coronavirus (not to mention the annual flus and the common cold), it occurred to me (a little nudge from HaShem?) that there is a way to help us along just a little, by using available sunlight. I really didn't expect it to be new, but I hadn't heard it before. Healthline explains Flu Protection from the Sun.
Also, an excellent paper from the US National Institutes of Health regarding the benefits and risks of sunlight. Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health
Some of the things that are revealed here:
- the good and the bad about ultraviolet rays (UV) and the comparison of the total global burden of their effects compared to other causes in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)
- the essentials of Vitamin D production in the human body and how it's synthesized through the skin...from UVB radiation [the same portion of UV that does harm...]
- whether sun exposure causes or protects from cancer - or both
- how limiting sun exposure too much can do even more harm, in greater numbers, especially in the higher latitudes (north of 37 N and south of 37 S), particularly regarding internal cancers such as Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, prostate and other cancers. And...surprise...melanoma.
- other diseases that are possibly linked to low levels of vitamin D.
The article goes on to say that it is still true that skin tone and vitamin D3 content in the blood count for a lot. And since premature aging of the skin is still a problem for many, sunscreen is still recommended for those who need it.
For a lot of people, including the modestly dressed and darker-toned people, D3 supplementation goes well with catching just enough solar rays not to harm you.
The technique
However, my focus for this post is not any of the above, but helping us keep safe from viral infection — particularly and especially the kind that we can carry for a month without even knowing it!
Here is the thought that occurred to me just yesterday concerning a way to get through outings with the least risk. I'm trying it out while the weather transitions.
I realized that, assuming that sunshine is the best disinfectant, if I exposed my hands (palm side first, then the backs of the hands) and face to the sun while outside, for very short periods of time, it might help disinfect them.
The reasoning behind this is that we often touch our faces, and we often touch surfaces with our hands that others have touched. How can we cope while waiting until we get to where we're going, or back home, to wash our hands???
On the other hand, considering how long the virus remains viable on surfaces, we just don't know if or when we touched something that screams "Tagged ya!" and we just didn't hear it, so to speak.
Don't expose your hands and face to the sun for too long. Not long enough to tan (but if you're close enough to the equator, that could happen now! - this was written before spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Today the high UV index rating in Yerushalayim was 6.3.). How long is long enough depends a lot on the color of your skin, how tanned or burned you are, how easily you tan or burn, and how you maintain your skin, including sunscreen and sun-blocking clothing, in addition to the UV index rating outside. We are talking about disinfecting skin that is frequently exposed to germs and viruses while being out and about — not even about getting vitamin D, although that would also help a lot of people.
Israelis come in all colors, so "one size does not fit all"! Head coverings of all sorts are popular around here, and modest clothing is the norm in religious areas, both for men and women.
You want maximum effect on your skin and head orifices. Remember that colds and other viruses can get in through your ears and eyes as well as your nose and mouth.
If you have sunshine at this time of year, take advantage of it! It is not a replacement for hand washing, but it should help keep the germs down. Still, have tissues with you so that you don't have to wipe your eyes or nose with your hand, G-d forbid.
I don't know whether there is research on this method; I'm just trying to use common sense and look ahead.
Some more notes
One thing I've learned through my research is that when the UV index rating gets to be 3 or higher, sun protection is recommended.
Regarding the spiritual aspect: Be careful to give the Creator credit for His creations.
-Thank you, Abba, for the sun You created for our world, and for all the other things we can do until Your healing instrument becomes available; even Mashiah can be revealed during a time like this.
Whether you happen to be in quarantine or not, sunshine through closed windows also disinfects. That is, if you have access to windows on sunny days.
Note to managers of quarantined areas: Don't keep the patients, whether potential or actual, away from sources of sunlight. It might help brighten their mood and save their lives!
*** My suggestions above are IN ADDITION to all other advice given elsewhere. ***
There. I hope I've given some room and time for people to be alone with HQB"H without panicking. Just a little more to go...and Purim approaches. Who knows how the "v'nahafoch hu" ונהפוך הוא phenomenon will be manifested this year?
Kindly let me know if you tried my technique, and how it worked out, would you? Or if you thought about this on your own, I'd like to know that too. Maybe you have an even better idea!
***
More reading from my colleagues
| Coronavirus [COVID-19] Important Facts | Do Not Speak Lashon haRa | Rabbi Kessin's Words on the Virus (includes link to the video) | Situation Update in the Jewish World | Every Day We Create Our Own Judgment | What about Pesach travel? | Chief Rabbi of Tehran Forbids Fasting on Taanis Esther due to CV | The #1 Way to Protect Yourself from Plague, Disease and Other Illnesses |
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