Community Board Issues Guidance; No Public Fires for Sreifas Chumetz

Boro Park, Brooklyn – There will be no public bread burning this year, unlike previous years where there were designated bread-burning sites throughout the district. The risk of increased COVID-19 infections,

leading to an additional burden on an already overwhelmed Health Care System is too great. Additionally, any sreifas chometz would be dependent on City Agency support, which they cannot provide at this time. Many essential

resources have been diverted to battling the Coronavirus. On top of that, many city employees, particularly emergency personnel that we depend on to keep us safe during sreifas chometz and beyond, are out sick or quarantined because of COVID-19. The resources of the magnitude that are required for a sreifas chometz operation are simply not available.  The consensus among the leading rabbis of our generation is that this is a

time of Pikuach Nefesh, lives are at stake. And whereas under normal circumstances we are obligated to perform mitzvos, now we have the very same obligation to refrain from those mitzvos that cannot be done safely, such as minyan or public bread burning. There is to be no bread burning on public property at all. There will be absolutely no exceptions for anyone or for any reason. Any size open fire on any public property, including

the sidewalks in front of homes, is strictly and completely prohibited. FDNY is understandably preoccupied with COVID-19, they will not be on hand to manage and extinguish even the smallest of fires. Anyone who

violates this will be subject to a fine and/or up to arrest. Be forewarned: there will be zero tolerance for any infractions.  Community Board 12 turned to HaGoen HaTzaddik Rav Yechezkal Roth shlita, the Rav of Karlsburg,

regarding the question on how to fulfill the mitzvah of burning chometz in light of these extraordinary circumstances. The Rav Hatzair, Rav Moshe Roth shlita, answered on his behalf. A copy of the letter is attached. 

The following is a paraphrased translation:  • Public sreifas chometz cannot be allowed because of the difficult situation we are in. It is almost impossible to have a public gathering without endangering lives.

• Whoever has an outdoor space that is within their property should burn only the 10 small pieces of bread that are altogether only one k’zayis. The bread should be placed in foil bekelah with a few drops of oil. And then,

ONLY in an outdoor, personal, private space with an unobstructed view of the sky, (either a porch or backyard as front yards are usually public property) is it permitted to burn the 10 pieces of bread.  • It is forbidden to burn anything more than the 10 pieces of bread- not even the lulav or hoshanos. • Under NO circumstances is it permissible to burn the chometz indoors. This is extremely dangerous.