Rabbi Blog

Dear QJC Family,

Baruch Hashem, progress is being made and more people are about to become elligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine. I would like to share a few points of information regarding this new development.

Eligibility
Beginning today, individuals over the age of 75 may take the vaccine, as well as teachers. Please see here for more information about eligibility. Please see here to find locations to be vaccinated.

Halachic Directive to Take Vaccine?
I will not elaborate much here, but my position is that based on the medical consensus that the vaccine is safe, halacha mandates taking the vaccine (this has been stated by Rabbi Mordechai Willig). If you are interested in halachic perspectives, please listen to a shiur by my mentor and colleague Rabbi Yaakov Glasser.
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IY"H, I will take the first dose of the vaccine this afternoon, and I encourage everyone to do so when you are able to!

Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt Presentation - Monday, January 25
We are very privileged to be able to offer a presentation and Q&A with Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt on Monday, January 25 at 8:00 PM regarding the vaccine. We are doing this in conjunction with other shuls with Forest Hills. Please join us!

Bracha/Gratitude to Hashem
It is nisim v'niflaot, nothing short of wondrous, that we have reached the point that people are being vaccinated so quickly.
I encourage everyone to make a bracha upon receiving the vaccine: ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם, הטוב והמיטיב - blessed are you Hashem, ruler of the universe, who is good and grants good. Additionally, before receiving the vaccine, one can say:
יהי רצון מלפניך ה’ א-להי, שיהא עסק זה לי ולכל בית ישראל ולכל בריותיך לרפואה שלמה
ולמיגור המגפה, כי א-ל מלך רופא נאמן ורחמן אתה.
May it be Your will Hashem my God that this endeavor will result in full healing for me and the entire Jewish people and all of your creations and to eradicate this disease, as you are a faithful and compassionate Healer.

For more on the bracha, please listen to a shiur from my friend and colleague Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier.

About shul policies and safety going forward:
While we may be itching to go back to normal, even those who are vaccinated MUST continue to wear masks and follow distancing protocols while in public (including shul) until futher notice.

Until we reach greater immunity as a national community, we cannot relent on these policies. Even if one receives both doses of the vaccine, while it protects you, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot spread the virus to someone else. Therefore, it is crucial even for people who are vaccinated to be cautious in public. Let us see it as an opportunity for ואהבת לרעך כמוך. It is also important to mention that the vaccine does not reach its full potential to be effective until receiving both doses; however, I reiterate that even then, communal policies will remain in place for all individuals until further notice.

I hope everyone will be able to be vaccinated soon, and may we see the end to this terrible pandemic come swiftly!

Kol tuv,

Judah Kerbel
Rabbi, Queens Jewish Center