In accordance with the directives and halachic rulings provided in various issues related to emergency situations, and given the significant security tensions in the country, this morning (Monday), the Chief Rabbinate issued a ruling signed by the Chief Rabbis, Rabbi David Lau and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.
As part of the ruling, instructions were given to the mikvah (ritual bath) attendants to deviate from the regular fixed practices and to open the mikvaot in the conflict areas during daylight hours as well. This decision is due to the concern and fear of residents who may be at risk when moving around in the evening, as well as the difficulty some families face when the husband is conscripted and it's challenging to leave the children alone at home in the evening hours.
However, the rabbis instructed that each case should be consulted individually, and therefore, the rabbis of the PUAH Institute are on hand to provide specific answers and guidance for each and every inquiry. The rabbis of the PUAH Institute are sensitive to the difficulties and hardships that have arisen during these days, and it is important to provide the appropriate response for each case.
"We welcome the rabbinate's courage to be attentive to the people"
Rabbi Menachem Borstein, the head of the Puah Institute, mentioned that "from the very beginning of the conflict, we received numerous inquiries at the PUAH Institute from women facing various issues related to family purity, and for this matter, we strengthened our halachic response. Alongside the halachic response, we also have wonderful female counselors providing emotional support to women dealing with various challenges in the areas of purity, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and more.
"We applaud the Chief Rabbinate for being attentive to the needs of the people and adapting their response to the complex and changing reality that we are all experiencing in recent days. I strengthen the hands of the soldiers and their wives, who protect their homes and families with great dedication, and I give my blessings for peace to the people of Israel during these challenging times."
Additional initiatives related to the state of emergency
Furthermore, Machon PUAH has initiated additional projects related to the current state of emergency we are in. One of them offers a free program to assist brides who had to postpone their weddings due to circumstances, allowing them to reach their ceremony in purity in the newly determined time. The second project supports couples to extend their times of purity during times of uncertainty.
The initiative was dedicated in memory and for the elevation of the soul of the dear son of a valued partner of the institute, Professor Daniel Zeidman, a senior physician in the External Fertilization Unit at Assuta Medical Center in Tel Aviv. He has been working alongside Machon Puah for years and tragically lost his son, Yonatan Zeidman, hy"d, in the current conflict just a few days ago. May his memory be a blessing.
"We found it appropriate to dedicate these important initiatives that deal with continuity with Israel to a long-time friend of Machon PUAH, who lost his son in the difficult conflict. We pray that the involvement in adding light and goodness will be for the elevation of his holy soul," Rabbi Borstein concluded.