The Biblical Imperative to Vaccinate Against COVID-19
A Rabbinic Statement by Members of Torat Chayim
The Torah instructs us, in two different verses, that we must do everything in our power to preserve life. We are told: “V’nishmartem me’od l’nafshoteichem”—“You are to be most careful regarding your lives” (Deutoronomy 4:15). We are further enjoined regarding the mitzvot: “Vahai bahem”—“And you shall live by them” (Leviticus 18:6). From these sources the Talmudic sages derived that saving a life is paramount, and overrides virtually all mitzvot, even Shabbat observance and fasting on Yom Kippur.
It is clear then, that we must take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 to ourselves and others. With the advent of the new vaccine, it is thus a biblically mandated imperative that all, with the exception of those advised otherwise by their medical doctor, be vaccinated.
We recall the guidance of Rabbi Israel Salanter: “Be sure to follow the behaviors which the wise doctors prescribe [for, in a time of plague,] walking in the light of their words is our religious duty” (Ohr Yisrael, Letter 22).
We express our gratitude to all the scientists and others involved in the research and development of the vaccine, as well as to all the medical personnel seeing to its dispensation. We thank the Almighty for enabling them to engage in their holy work, as we continue to pray for the recovery of those who have been stricken by the virus.
Rabba Dr Carmella Abraham
Rabbi Dr. Jehoschua Ahrens
Rav Yitzhak Ajzner
Rabbi David Almog
Rabbi Dr. David S. Bauman
Rabbi Shimon Brand
Rabbanit Tali Schaum Broder
Rabbi Dr. Michael Chernick
Rabbi Barry Dolinger
Rabbi Menashe East
Rabbi Daniel Geretz
Rabbi David Glicksman
Rabbi Dr. Mel Gottlieb
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
Rav Avram H. Herzog
R. Lev Eliezer Israel
Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe
Rabbi David Jaffe
Rabbi Frederick L. Klein
Rabbi Yaakov Komisar
Rav Daniel Landes
Rabbi Michael Langer
Rabbi Aharon Ariel Lavi
Rav Hayim Leiter
Rabbi Aaron Levy
Rabbi Eryn London
Rabbi Asher Lopatin
Rabbi Jair Melchior
Rabbi Dina Najman
Rabbi Dr. David Rosen
Rabbi Morey Schwartz
Rabbi Gabriel N. Kretzmer Seed
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller
Rabbi Aaron Shub
Rabbi Alana Suskin
Rav Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Rabbi Dr. Alan J. Yuter
It is clear then, that we must take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 to ourselves and others. With the advent of the new vaccine, it is thus a biblically mandated imperative that all, with the exception of those advised otherwise by their medical doctor, be vaccinated.
We recall the guidance of Rabbi Israel Salanter: “Be sure to follow the behaviors which the wise doctors prescribe [for, in a time of plague,] walking in the light of their words is our religious duty” (Ohr Yisrael, Letter 22).
We express our gratitude to all the scientists and others involved in the research and development of the vaccine, as well as to all the medical personnel seeing to its dispensation. We thank the Almighty for enabling them to engage in their holy work, as we continue to pray for the recovery of those who have been stricken by the virus.
Rabba Dr Carmella Abraham
Rabbi Dr. Jehoschua Ahrens
Rav Yitzhak Ajzner
Rabbi David Almog
Rabbi Dr. David S. Bauman
Rabbi Shimon Brand
Rabbanit Tali Schaum Broder
Rabbi Dr. Michael Chernick
Rabbi Barry Dolinger
Rabbi Menashe East
Rabbi Daniel Geretz
Rabbi David Glicksman
Rabbi Dr. Mel Gottlieb
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
Rav Avram H. Herzog
R. Lev Eliezer Israel
Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe
Rabbi David Jaffe
Rabbi Frederick L. Klein
Rabbi Yaakov Komisar
Rav Daniel Landes
Rabbi Michael Langer
Rabbi Aharon Ariel Lavi
Rav Hayim Leiter
Rabbi Aaron Levy
Rabbi Eryn London
Rabbi Asher Lopatin
Rabbi Jair Melchior
Rabbi Dina Najman
Rabbi Dr. David Rosen
Rabbi Morey Schwartz
Rabbi Gabriel N. Kretzmer Seed
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller
Rabbi Aaron Shub
Rabbi Alana Suskin
Rav Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Rabbi Dr. Alan J. Yuter