Truth and Peace

The point of this post in 10 seconds By participating in minyanim at this time, COLLECTIVELY we are: Multiplying human contact—and thus the spread of COVID-19 Extending period of societal shutdown, increasing suffering and death Over Shabbat, many of my friends and neighbors davened at home. But from my porch in Ramat Beit Shemesh, I saw men streaming to various minyanim. I could also see three shuls. One was closed, but two of them had minyanim. One of those had all the windows open, and I understand that they made efforts to daven with space between them. Separately, I saw a neighbor hosting a minyan in his garage. Granted this is a very limited sample size, but I think it's safe to say that a large number of minyanim were being held throughout town and across the country, some taking greater precautions than others. Why is minyan a problem? When we have a minyan in shul, we're in an enclosed space with others, potentially up to 1-2 hours. Standing 2 meters

Just for fun, in honor of 2020, here are all the 20:20 verses in the Torah (Note: Genesis 20 only goes to v.18), plus some thoughts, and related pieces from TheTorah.com. Exod 20:20 (23) לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן אִתִּי אֱלֹהֵי כֶסֶף וֵאלֹהֵי זָהָב לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ לָכֶם׃ With Me, therefore, you shall not make any gods of silver, nor shall you make for yourselves any gods of gold. Par. Yitro, just after the 10 Commandments are given. Why is there an idolatry prohibition so soon after the 2nd Commandment? Rashi quotes a midrash that this verse contains prohibitions relating to the Cherubim. Some academic scholars suggest that this verse and the next several laws comprise a different version of what was on the tablets (e.g. W. Propp, AB). See  Understanding Idolatry  by Dr. Uri Gabbay. Lev 20:20 וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּב אֶת־דֹּדָתוֹ עֶרְוַת דֹּדוֹ גִּלָּה חֶטְאָם יִשָּׂאוּ עֲרִירִים יָמֻתוּ׃ If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, it is his uncle’s nakedness that he has uncovered. They s