Coronavirus Means Stop Kissing the Scroll on the Doorpost

(Bloomberg) -- An ancient Jewish tradition has fallen victim to the coronavirus.

In millions of homes across the world, Jews affix to doorposts a decorative case containing a scroll with the Shema, a declaration of faith that is central to Jewish prayer. It is customary among many Jews to touch this case, known as the mezuzah, when passing through the door. Some kiss the hand that touched it.

With thousands of Israelis quarantined over the coronavirus, Chief Rabbi David Lau wants people to leave the mezuzuah alone.

The practice of touching the mezuzuah dates back centuries, and people later began to add the kiss, he wrote in response to a query this week. Associated health risks became clear as early as the 19th century, and even then some prominent rabbis advised against it, Lau said.

“In these days, when -- may it never happen to us -- we see a serious disease spreading, there is no question that one should not kiss mezuzahs or even touch them,” he wrote. It's sufficient for people to reflect on the biblical verses written in the scroll when entering or leaving a room, he added.

Fifteen cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed in Israel, a country of 9 million. The number of people sent to preventive quarantine ranges from 50,000 to 100,000, according to local media reports.

To try to contain the virus, Israel has banned visitors from some Asian countries and Italy. Israeli and foreign travelers entering from a slew of other Asian and European countries are asked to enter quarantine. All international conferences have been canceled, as have gatherings of 5,000 people or more, including the Jerusalem Marathon planned for March 20.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alisa Odenheimer in Jerusalem at aodenheimer@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Shaji Mathew at shajimathew@bloomberg.net, Amy Teibel, Paul Abelsky

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