Q. If we do a siyum by Zoom and each person eats his own food with his family, is that considered a seudas mitzva?
A. On question 2621 we wrote regarding a siyum Erev Pesach, if it can it be done by phone, online or Zoom, we wrote: On question 198 we mentioned: If you learned together (a tractate of the Talmud) with a group but now are on vacation somewhere else, can you join (the siyum fleishig banquet during the nine days) via telephone? We answered; Horav Shlomo Millers Shlita ruled that if you learned the whole tractate you can join the siyum via telephone. However, if you did not study, you cannot just dial – a- siyum. Similar opinions are to be found in other Poiskim (Mekadesh Yisroel, Pesach 256, et al.).
Likewise if one learned the Masechta to be finished and is on his way to the siyum he could join the siyum via telephone or online.
In our singular situation when a very dangerous pandemic is raging the Rovs opinion is that since there are grounds as is for people not fasting, one may join in need, a siyum on the phone or online.”
Therefore, if every participant in the siyum, eats his own seuda with his family and friends, it is considered a seudas mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
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