The Chief Rabbi of Israel, in the context of the protection measures against Coronavirus, has advised people to forego the traditional touching of the mezuzah, a decorative case containing a piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah, placed at the entrance of many houses in the country.
In an advisory published in the Israeli media, Chief Rabbi David Lau said there was no specific theological and religious obligation to carry out the practice and that it was enough for a Jew to reflect on the message contained in the scripture of the Holy Bible, when entering or leaving a house.
“In these days, when we are witnessing the spread of such a serious disease, there is no doubt that one should not kiss or touch the mezuzah,” Lau emphasized in his message.
Some Jewish faithful kiss their fingers too after touching the mezuzah.
Source: ANA-MPA