Q. Is it true that Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a just prohibited this year yeshiva bachurim to come home for Pesach? We have 3 boys learning in yeshivos in the States. where can they go? Can you urgently enlighten us please!
A. Recently, (3/29/20) Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a send the following letter:
“It is known to all the severity of the Coronavirus that is spreading from day to day. Each person is obligated to do everything he can to minimize the spread.
Therefore, we must be careful to listen to the advice of the doctors. According to their opinion, no one should travel from city to city, especially those from New York and Lakewood should stay at home and not come to Toronto for Pesach.
Even though it may be difficult, one should do whatever he can to stay where they are. Even if you don’t have utensils for Pesach you can use your all year round utensils and kasher them in accordance to Shulchan Aruch siman 451.
Hashem should have mercy on Klal Yisroel and send a Refua Shleima to all those suffering from this Virus, and he should watch over Klal Yisroel from any sickness.”
However, the Rov indicated that as the letter states, it is referring mainly to married children that as is have a home somewhere else, so they should stay there.
For bachurim and unmarried daughters that don’t have where to be Pesach, and under todays pandemic circumstances they are not likely to be invited, in need they can travel home. Needless to say they have to be extremely careful, comply with all regulations and keep the indicated quarantine periods.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a.