Urgent: Halakha Hurricane Guidelines Issued

What you can and can not do on Shabbos, the Sabbath, during a hurricane. Read this, people, and spread it around.

 

Hurricane Sabbath Guidelines Issued By Rabbis
By Michele Chabin • Religion News Service

NEW YORK (RNS) Observant Jews are permitted to sidestep traditional Sabbath rules on electronics and listen to the radio as Hurricane Irene bears down on the East Coast, according to guidelines distributed to hundreds of Orthodox rabbis.

Rabbi Kenneth Brander, dean of Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future, distributed special hurricane guidelines -- which he originally wrote while working in hurricane-prone Florida -- to the school's rabbinic alumni.

Observant Jews' Sabbath rules typically prohibit turning on and off electrical appliances and carrying items outdoors unless there is a ritual enclosure called an eruv.

The protocols instruct Jews to leave a TV or radio turned on in a side room, but not to change the channel. A radio's volume may be adjusted on Shabbat, as long as the radio isn't digital, Brander said.

If the storm is still raging, worshippers should stay home, the document says, noting that a missed Torah portion can be read the following Shabbat.

Jews should assume that the storm has destroyed their community's eruv, Brander said, "but carrying is permitted for life/limb threatening situations" or in cases where medical attention is required."

In anticipation of a blackout, Brander advised Jews to light long-lasting candles and flashlights prior to the start of the Sabbath. If the fire dies or the batteries lose power, it is permissible to ask a non-Jew to replace them.

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan advised his flock to stay home if Irene makes conditions too dangerous to attend Sunday Mass.

"Catholics take Sunday mass very seriously," he said, "but the church never asks us to risk our health or safety to get to church on the Lord's Day."

Here are Augudath Israel's instructions:

The following is reprinted from the Halacha Hurricane Manual published by Agudath Israel of Florida, based on questions asked to Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, Rav Agudas Yisroel of Baltimore.
 
1.  In case of an impending hurricane predicted to hit on Shabbos, may one leave the radio on?
Yes, leave the radio on in a private area on a low volume.
 
2.   If told to evacuate, what should one do?
One must always do whatever is necessary to protect one's life. Therefore one is allowed to drive to a secure place and take along whatever is necessary, even money. Once one is out of harms way, he should stay put until after Shabbos. If a child or elderly person is present and staying in the car would be a danger, one can proceed to a shelter. One may also put gas in the car if needed to arrive at a safe place.
 
3.  If one stays home, may the shutters be placed on the windows?
There are two popular types of shutters: accordion and panel. Accordion shutters are permanently attached to the home and may be closed. Panel shutters need to be installed with each use and may only be placed on the windows if the situation is one where life is in danger-not to protect property.
 
4.  If instructed to bring indoors all loose furniture and garden equipment, is one allowed to?
One is permitted to bring indoors whatever might pose a danger.
 
5.  If someone sees a power line fall and it poses a danger can one contact the authorities?
A person should never venture out during or right after a hurricane. Coming in contact with downed power lines could be fatal. Unless the power line could cause a serious danger to the people in the home, one should wait until after Shabbos to report it.
 
6.  Does the category of the hurricane make a difference?
The different categories represent the intensity of the hurricane winds and the danger they pose. But the authorities can determine that even a category one or two hurricane poses enough of a threat to certain areas to demand an evacuation. In such cases, all necessary precautions should be taken.
 
7.  If someone lives alone and needs assistance to evacuate, may one drive there to pick the person up and bring him or her to safety?
One is allowed to do what is necessary to protect one's own life or the life of someone else in danger.
 
8.  At what wind velocity should the eruv not be assumed to be kosher?
Once the winds reach the speed of 35 mph, one should assume the eruv is not kosher and should not carry outside.
 
9.  If the electricity went out and was then turned back on, may one eat the food that was on the blech or hot-plate?
If the food was fully cooked (or even 1/3 cooked) and is still hot, one may consume the food. Otherwise, one should consult a Rav.
 
List of essential items: batteries, flashlights, candles, yartzheit candles, canned food, bottled water- 1 gallon per day per person, battery powered radio, important documents sealed in a water proof bag, insurance information, photographs of household valuables.

First, let me add to what Rabbi Brander wrote.

If your flashlight or candle is extinguished and there is any danger that you or others will fall or otherwise risk injury, and if there isn't a non-Jew handy to relight it, relight it yourself, using a shinui (an unusual way to do it – for example, using your left hand when you're right handed or holding the batteries in a cumbersome way) if possible.

You cannot risk injury, especially at a time when getting help – and getting to help – amy be more diffiecult than usual or even impossible.

In the same way, don't leave candles burning unattended. If need be, put them out – especially if there is a chance the storm might cause them to topple over and possibly start a fire.

You should view all these halakhic issues and any others that should arise over the course of the storm as issues of pekuakh nefesh, saving lives.

A hurricane is a life threating occasion, not just because of the direct damage of the storm, but because of the fires, fall injuries, and difficulty getting to and then being treated in a hospital that come with it.

Don't fool around.

Don't risk other people's lives with your candles or with Shabbos laws.

The right thing to do, the halakhic thing to do, is to protect lives.

As for Agudah's list, people, don't be foolish.

A blech poses a serious fire danger during a hurricane. A hot plate is one thing, but a blech, especially on a gas stove, is another.

Don't play around with this. Turn it off as soon as you realize the storm might do major damage to your home or apartment.

And do NOT go to sleep or evacuate with a blech still on.

Either stay up in shifts to monitor the storm (and the blech) or turn it off now before Shabbos. And TURN IT OFF IF YOU EVACUATE. It isn't only a danger to property – it is a danger to life, as well.

Also, do NOT try to ride out the storm in basement.

Storm surge, which can send sea water miles inland, could easily and very quickly flood your basement. And if you're down there, that could kill you.

If you are told to evacuate on Shabbos – DO IT IMMEDIATELY.

If you were told before Shabbos to evacuate but have not done so, DO IT NOW.

Not only is there no prohibition involved in evacuating, there is a prohibition in staying. In other words, it's no sin to drive on Shabbos to evacuate, but it is a sin to ignore an evacuation order.

Comments

[WoolSilkCotton]

I have stocked up on vodka and pizza.

A safe and Gutten Shabbos to all.

[seymour]

the whole thing could end right now it can stop Irene in its track

reverse the gay marriage act

i am supposed to leave by 5 tomorrow since i am in the evacuation zone

i guess I will wait if its changes

[Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways]

Personally, I dont believe that Hashem wanted our sabbath to be as complicated as our fellow yidden make it today. So as for me, after keeping the ultra orthodox ways for a full year (I am a B'T), I now am not concerned about whether I leave a lamp on or listen to the radio. Shabbas is not meant to be a railroad train that runs into our weekend. It is a time of rest and happiness and if I have to unscrew my light bulb on my refridgerator to make the ultra orthodox yidden happy, you can count me out. I did it for a whole year and its not Hashems way in my beliefs. I do believe I am on the derech and I do not think that our Creator gave us electricity (Which must have been the plan since the beginning of creation) just to make us all have a harder time staying on the derech. This is absurd. But in that regard, I no longer regard the reform who might watch the football game on shabbas as off the derech. They are some good people and perhaps they are doing exactly what our Creator created us to do on our shabbas. Enjoy your shabbas guys. I do not think I will ever change from the intelligent ways that I do believe Hashem has guided me in life to adhere.

[EileenK]

Just two notes to add:

First, in some areas (probably not the New York Metro area -- see below) the synagogue may be more secure than your home or apartment. This was the case during a series of hurricanes over the High Holy Days in Columbus, GA. I felt very safe even when the power went off and we finished services in the basement.

Second, the New York Metro area is not New Orleans. The piedmont (high ground) begins near the coast and abruptly. Most of Westchester County is high ground, so is most of the Bronx and the northern part of Manhattan.

Westchester County is built with flooding in mind. I suspect this is true of other places in the Northeast as well. The business are built near the rivers and roads, and the residential construction is on the hills. This means the synagogue where you live won't be secure.

Stay safe. I just checked the elevations where my parents live. They are both on high ground and will be safe.

[Dr. Dave]

From Chicago we hope everyone in the east is safe.

Please remember that pikuach nefesh docheh shabbat (saving a life overrides the Sabbath), and be machmir in that.

Do whatever is necessary to keep yourselves and others safe!

[OMG]

Good luck for all of you on the east coast.

[OMG]

Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | August 26, 2011 at 06:22 PM

Please no Vodka

[ronininja]

@Posted by: Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways ...I did the exact same experiment you did. Not surprisingly I reached the same conclusions. Thanks for your post.

[ruthie]

orthodox jew who obeys intelligent ways...
same conclusions...

[mordecai]

"Unless the power line could cause a serious danger to the people in the home, one should wait until after Shabbos to report it."
==================================
But what if the downed power line might cause a serious injury to others (and not those "in the home")?

It is issues of this nature where the ultra-orthodox part company from the religion which we know as "Judaism." Judaism has always been the finest example of the marriage of a moral/ethical lifestyle with religious observance.

Permitting life-threatening conditions to fester when a simple phone call would solve the problem causes the ultra-orthodox version of Judaism to sink to gutter level morality under the guies of piety.

Is this what G-d really wants?

[Aussie]

Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways

Great post....
IMO most, but not all frum Jews have totally lost the plot....They simply have no idea....

[David]

I hope everyone is unharmed and there is minimal property damage - but - I wonder - how will the Charedim in Mew Square etc handle this?

They have been reduced to mindless, helpless, uneducated, unskilled, useless people by their Rebbes.

I doubt they wouldn't even know how to secure their properties or could screw a board over their windows.

I bet they won't even know there is a hurricane coming unless their Rebbe tells them.

[David]

Permitting life-threatening conditions to fester when a simple phone call would solve the problem causes the ultra-orthodox version of Judaism to sink to gutter level morality under the guies of piety.

Is this what G-d really wants?

Posted by: mordecai | August 27, 2011 at 07:04 AM

Agreed.

But what do you expect from people whose Rebbes have reduced them to mindless, helpless, uneducated, unskilled, useless people?

Yes - it would be a no-brainer for a normal person - Jew or Gentile - to call the appropriate agency to report a dangerous situation - but they would need to ask their Rabbis what to do. Meanwhile, lives could be lost or extensive property damage could occur due to their failure to act.

SERIOUSLY !!!! Is there any other group that would need to consult one of their leaders to ask whether they should report a life threatening or property threatening situation? Especially if it might relate to a person who actually works to pay taxes to support these parasites.

[WoolSilkCotton]

State and Federal monies have already been authorized for emergency management and compensation to any victims of property damage in the NY/NJ area.

Of course, KY and Skver will need money money money for all the 'victims', and politicians will hand it over.

You can bet the frumma of KY and Skver will be the first on line to take the money.

[David]

Of course, KY and Skver will need money money money for all the 'victims', and politicians will hand it over.

Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | August 27, 2011 at 09:26 AM

It will be interesting to see the average damages claim per person for the frumma compared to honest people.

[devorah]

I cringe to think of the thousands of false claims filed by the frumma. Unfortunately, the insurance companies will be bogged down with claims and won't have the manpower to investigate most.
Hopefully, they will at least bring their young kids inside and not let them play in the streets.

[WoolSilkCotton]

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/
obama-declares-state-of-emergency-for-new-york/

On the TV News, a NYC official said that monies would be given to 'faith based' emergency shelters and such community organizations.

[Sam the Man]

What a serious bunch of crap. Here are the real answers.

1. In case of an impending hurricane predicted to hit on Shabbos, may one leave the radio on?
Yes, you can listen to the radio or tv whether there is a hurricane coming or not.

2. If told to evacuate, what should one do?
Evacuate.

3. If one stays home, may the shutters be placed on the windows?
Yes. Why do you need permission to put shutters on your windows?

4. If instructed to bring indoors all loose furniture and garden equipment, is one allowed to?
Yes.

5. If someone sees a power line fall and it poses a danger can one contact the authorities?
Don't touch power lines, and call the authorities immediately, whether you are in danger or not. Its just the right thing to do.

6. Does the category of the hurricane make a difference?
Make a difference to what?

7. If someone lives alone and needs assistance to evacuate, may one drive there to pick the person up and bring him or her to safety?
If you have car and can help someone, do so.

8. At what wind velocity should the eruv not be assumed to be kosher?
Better question: which concept is dumber, Kashrut or the the need for an Eruv.

9. If the electricity went out and was then turned back on, may one eat the food that was on the blech or hot-plate?
Yes. If its cold you can turn it back on to warm up the food. That is what a hot plate is for.

There ya go.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Is stealing permitted during the hurricane?

[Rabeynu Tam Tam]

Wool Silk Cotton

Regarding your shayle, Is stealing permitted during the hurricane?

Stealing is normally only permitted if it is from a goy or a Lubavitcher. However, during a hurricane, weenie roast that gets out of hand, or when one discovers that your reservations at a hotel have been canceled erev shabbos, stealing is permitted even from yidn provided that you learn Torah afterwards.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Thank you, holy Rabeynu TT, for this answer. Now I can steal with peace of mind, knowing that G-d approves.
I will mail you a donation as an expression of my thanks.

[seymour]

wow while I was walking my dogs on the beach wanted to see how the ocean looked in Brooklyn did not know that we where having a halchaha question discussion on FM

I would participate but need to ask my rov if i can have a halacgha discussion on the web during shabbos?

BTY calling because a power line fell it not a simple matter as many think.

The reason is that according to some great rebbies of yesteryear one can only be mechalil shabbos for someone who will keep future shobbasis

therefore one must first think are there people in danger who are shobbas observers and only then if the answer is yes can you make the call

if not if it will only harm gentiles or people like us then one cannot call

[OMG]

WSC
How is the weather are you prepared water could be worse than wind.

[Rabeynu Tam Tam]

Seymour, mayn tayere yid.

As you can see from the time and date I wrote these missives, my shaylos un tshuvos, I am mekhalel shabos but only according to the derekh of the Satmar Rebbe. However, since I do not hold by him then I can do whatever I want, according to the Sefer Rakhmos L'tslan, p. 231.

Regarding the inyen of power lines please note the following from Mesekhto Bubo Mayse, 37B, toysfos: Kdamrinan schneersohn ve'khuleh.

It has been received from the Tanna Moshe ben Shmendrik, that Rov Huna once observed a fallen tree while he was strolling on shabbos. Why he was strolling is the subject of another commentary.

From this the gedolim deduce that power lines may be reported only if they are in r'shus harabim or property that is owned in a dummmy corporation by a close relative. Otherwise, one must wait until after davvening Havdola before calling the power company.

Azoy shteyt es geshribn in heligen toyres moyshe.

[PishPosh]

Just look for the big blond Aryan guy with the helmet, shield and Hammer. He can help with the weather.

[Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways]

Most 'religious' jews are afraid to simply breath on shabbas it seems. That was my experience too when I took a one year experiment to see what it would be like to keep the ultraorthodox shabbas for a year. It was not a productive experience though it had a positive outcome.
I can not believe reading above that "shutters should only be used to protect life and not property". Is that insane. You have no right to shelter your belongings due to this funny jewish custom of the florida hurricane enthusiasts?
I just am glad that there are many jews who see the light.
Thanks for the 3 comments above who thought my above entry made sense and was in fact even kosher. I had felt that writing that bit I might be quarantined by the religious extreme and only let out to go to synagogue on the high holidays.
Thanks.

[WoolSilkCotton]

OMG, my house is on a hill, and it's in good shape for the weather.

I am actually on call at the hospital, it's quiet, the pizza shop and mideastern take-out shop next door is open, and we're having a grand time here! Also getting overtime $$ for being on call in the storm.

Hope all is well where you are.

++Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways++

I reached the same conclusions you did, but it took me 10 years of self-torture. You're doing fine!

[Dave]

@Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways:
Very well said. Everything you've said makes sense to me. I am trying to become more observant, and I appreciate the guidance you've given.

[OMG]

Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | August 27, 2011 at 07:56 PM

Currently I am in Taxes for business conference. My resident was not in the path of Irene. Enjoy your overtime.

[Orthodox Jew who obeys intelligent ways]

I'll tell you guys this. I took that year and took it seriously. The worst transgression by the orthodox during that time is that I would set my radios on one station for the duration of shabbas. I could not go without music it seemed. That said, I also got through some of it by playing musical percussion instruments. That is another one that the Shabbas Shemirath book says you should not do. I will say this. If I ever have to sell my book collection, this book called the Shabbas Shemirath will be the first I will sell. It is that irrelevant to my life as I see being a Jew is meant to be lived. How could our Creator expect us to read manual upon manual upon all the laws of the shulchan aruch to be an upright and observant Jew. The shulchan aruch will be soon to follow if I have to sell my books too. But I will tell you the biggest problem in being ultra observant is that you begin to hate your fellow jew. I was from a reform community as a younger person and know alot of people. It began to really irk me to see them posting on say facebook on shabbas and getting emails during this time when I knew that a truly "Good jew" did not use the computer on shabbas. I must say that I was angry during this year period and that I found only that finally a year later that I was able to feel acceptable when I finally realized that I believe I was allowed in my thoughts by our Creator to make an electrical change on the shabbas day. It felt ok, it made me think alot and I eventually blogged the whole experience in my blog.
So if you want to be observant, that is great. Start by keeping kosher to a good degree and then wear tzitzis, cover your head, wear a beard and all the like. Forget trying to be a shulchan aruch orientated jew unless that is your calling. But of course, these simple steps go along way to keeping Torah Law. And that is the ultimate orthodox law abiding experience.

[itchiemayer]

Talk of earthquake, hurricane, and tornado in one week for NYC. That's kind of unbelievable.

[Isa]

""""Is stealing permitted during the hurricane?

Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | August 27, 2011 at 12:46 PM """"

Sure go ahead
I am stocked up on 00 buckshot
and after the mass evacuation of Houston because of Katrina that involved 4,000,000 people.
I got myself a concealed carry handgun license.
[[Question from the audience]]
Can you carry a gun on Shabbos?
Sure only if you WEAR it

[seymour]

Talk of earthquake, hurricane, and tornado in one week for NYC. That's kind of unbelievable.

Posted by: itchiemayer | August 27, 2011 at 08:48 PM

sure it makes sense

just listen to levine

[Yissy-CA]

Posted by: Isa | August 27, 2011 at 09:17 PM

Wonderful :)

[Yochanan Lavie]

Stay safe, everyone.

[Jew Boy]

I cringe to think of the thousands of false claims filed by the blacks. Unfortunately, the insurance companies will be bogged down with claims and won't have the manpower to investigate most.
Hopefully, they will at least bring their young kids inside and not let them play in the streets.

[batyahgirl@yahoo.com]

Good Lord!! Agree with Mordecai - report downed power lines!

This kind of nonsense makes me crazy. Love my husband to pieces but he is machmir (thankfully not to the point of risking anyone's life). Can't stand it. Keep praying for him to go off the derech, just a little bit, please, God?

[devorah]

Someone just died in Monsey-Spring Valley from a downed wire. Hopefully, they will keep their kids inside as requested by police. Monsey Hatzolah was on the scene. Many of their schools were open today even though the police urged them to close. I guess when you have 15 kids, it doesn't matter if the police ask parents to keep them home.

[David]

Someone just died in Monsey-Spring Valley from a downed wire.

I wonnder if any of the frumma saw it but didn't bother to report it before the fatality?

Hopefully, they will keep their kids inside as requested by police. Monsey Hatzolah was on the scene. Many of their schools were open today even though the police urged them to close. I guess when you have 15 kids, it doesn't matter if the police ask parents to keep them home.

Posted by: devorah | August 28, 2011 at 11:43 AM

Yes. In my experience, the frumma will do anything to get their litters out of the house and into the care of others. They want to have these huge families but are not prepared to put the effort into loving and caring for them.

[Married To A Mick]

As an aside, i noticed a hasid on the 6 train 'reading' his bible with headphones on. Is this the new way they are tuning the world out? Or do you think he had Beyonce on?