Rav Chaim was asked a specific question about a specific scenario, and gave specific guidance in response. It is the height of journalistic irresponsibility to remove that crucial context when reporting his response
Y
esterday, a slew of media headlines — including both mainstream media and at least one frum outlet — quoted Rav Chaim Kanievsky as having instructed yeshivah bochurim to avoid testing for COVID-19.
Unsurprisingly, the supposed instruction provoked the angst and ire of Israel’s coronavirus commissioner Ronni Gamzu, and provided fodder for those who see chareidim as irresponsible spreaders of a potentially deadly disease.
However, upon further research and after speaking to the relevant parties, it emerges that the quote was stripped entirely of all context.
Rav Chaim was asked a specific question about a specific scenario, and gave specific guidance in response. The instruction was not meant as a blanket policy. It is the height of journalistic irresponsibility to remove that crucial context when reporting his response.
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