Chicago Chesed Fund

https://www.chicagochesedfund.org/

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Question about Face Masks on Shabbos

Is one allowed to wear a face mask in the street on Shabbos.

Does it matter if it is for one's own protection, or for the protection of others, or simply a government edict for a policy reason unrelated to health (such as to remind people to not touch their faces, or to maintain social distancing.)

Here are two teshuvos on this question. The first is from Harav Moshe Kaufman, a Dayan and poseik of the Midwest Beis Hora'ah and author of numerous sefarim.  The second is from Harav Reuven Klein, another young gadol. Rabbi Klein's teshuva takes a very different approach, and incorporates his discussions with Rav Usher Weiss.

Rabbi Kaufman

Masks on Shabbos.docx

Rabbi Klein

Masks on Shabbos 

2 comments:

  1. Can one wear a reflective belt with strap for safety, to not be run over by a car, on shabbos without an eruv? It's not a real beged, doesn't provide warmth

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reminding me that I had posted this. As it happens, I have two good teshuvos from two young gedolim. I'm going to put them into the post.

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