Perhaps a good Mashal for what we are experiencing now in quarantine would be the experience of a caterpillar in its cocoon. For the first part of its life a caterpillar experiences a lot of freedom. It wanders around, eats what it wants, interacts with other caterpillars and has a general sense of liberty. Suddenly it finds itself wound up tightly in a cocoon and cannot go anywhere. It sits there for a few weeks and then it emerges into the open air. But its existence is now completely different from anything it experienced before. Prior to being cocooned it was free to roam about on the tree it was born on but that was it. Now, it flutters about and can roam for miles (monarchs will actually migrate hundreds of miles, from California to Mexico). So while the caterpillar is completely clueless as to what is happening to it, and might even complain about being cramped in, it is in reality being prepared for something much bigger and better than it could ever have imagined.

***** if anyone would like to share this story, please attach my Zaidy's name, Moshe Ben Amrom/Moshe ben Chaya Grunwald yes that is zaidy's actual name, same as Moshe rabbeinu, who is known for anivut, a middah that also exemplified Zaidy*****

I want to share something that happened today. Something that if today was a normal day, could have never happened.

We were told that the funeral would be at 10 am sharp. Dont be late or we will miss it. The funerals are very minimal. And quick. Mamash a minyan and a kapittle of tehilim a kel maale rachamim and done.

The

Dear Editor,

                Two thoughts come to my mind as we attempt to weather the Corona crisis. Our Rabbonim have agonized over heart wrenching decisions to close shuls and yeshivos due to the severity of the situation. They have established guidelines, difficult for us to keep, but more difficult for them to make, for the sole purpose of keeping us safe. They have undoubtedly experienced many stressful and sleepless nights in the process, and we must recognize this and increase our respect for them and thank them for their selfless devotion to their flock; everyone of us.

We're thinking of all of you preparing for Pesach and hope that you find this message written by R' Pini Dunner comforting.

One of the issues that has been coming up again and again in the past week during phone calls I have been having with my community, and with others from further afield, is the fact that people will be on their own for the Seder this year, or their Seder will be drastically reduced in numbers, with children or parents elsewhere, all isolated in the midst of the current coronavirus social-distancing self-quarantine situation which is so important to prevent the spread of the disease.

We are in the season of Yetzias Mitzrayim, when we talk about leaving Egypt and slavery and gaining freedom. Sometimes people experience their own personal Mitzrayim. But when one chooses to rise above their circumstances, however troubled, and, instead of giving up and blaming their failures on their past, makes a better future, this essentially is their own private Yetzias Mitzrayim

I had the privilege of interviewing Mrs. Faigy Rabinowitz, the wife of Rabbi Pinchas Rabinowitz, director of Bikur Cholim. Faigy is an LCPC-licensed mental health counselor and an example of someone who experienced a Yetzias Mitzrayim of her own. She went from growing up in an orphanage in Meah Shearim to living a fulfilling life as a wife, mother, and successful professional in Baltimore.

Currently, there is a plague going around the world which has panicked entire nations. 

With our community’s children home from school, and much of our normal schedule disturbed, we are all trying to deal with a new and unfamiliar reality. It is now up to parents to structure the day and provide for davening, learning, education, exercise, and leisure time. Very important as well, however, is the need to maintain a calm atmosphere and give children rational explanations, according to their ages and their reactions to stressful and changing situations. 

The current situation has of course triggered anxiety in both adults and children. The suggestions that follow can be helpful. If, however, you feel that your anxiety is affecting your ability to function, it would be best to seek the services of a professional.

With all Baltimore shuls closed and many people in isolation, the internet has become a conduit for kedusha. Rabbi Binyamin Marwick of Shomrei Emunah was kind enough to explain how his shul is using Zoom for both shiurim and davening.

Zoom, a video-conferencing platform, allows davening “alone together.” Rabbi Marwick davens aloud, and each man in his own home can see and hear the other members of the “minyan.” It is not a minyan in the halachic sense, of course, and one cannot say kaddish or chazaras hashas or lein the Torah. But it does allow a group of people to daven at one time and to feel connected to each other and the community.

Hello, Rabbi Motzen, I would like to interview you about the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a message to the kids of this community. 

Akiva Schnitzer: What would you say to kids wanting to go to their friends’ house to play?

Rabbi Motzen: I would tell the kids it is against halacha right now to go play at friends’ houses, but I also want you to know that you have an incredible opportunity to save people’s lives like the greatest doctors and medical professionals. By staying home, you are helping save people’s lives, and that is an incredible opportunity that, normally, a 10-, 11-, 12-, and even a 35-or 55-year-old doesn’t have. So I want you to think about this and take into consideration that this is what is going to save people’s lives. It is going to be hard and challenging, but we know you can do it. And it is a huge mitzva.

Mrs. Klein is reading a picture book to her children at bedtime when she realizes with shock that it contains subject matter that she feels is inappropriate for children. She stops reading it and switches to another book. Mrs. Katz would like to allow her fourth-grade son to read the series that he claims “everyone” is reading but cannot find time in her busy day to pre-read it for him. Mrs. Smith pretty much allows her children to read from the library whatever they want but is plagued by an uncomfortable feeling that children’s books are not what they used to be. She wishes she knew how to guide their choices.