Hebrew Synagogue Amends Religious Ruling on Mass COVID19 Vaccinations

Hebrew Synagogue Amends Religious Ruling on Mass COVID19 Vaccinations

Hebrew Synagogue, a Scottish-based authority for its Jewish Community membership has today published an Amendment its Religious Ruling (Psak Din *) on the subject of mass vaccinations; specifically, the COVID19 vaccination, effective for any of its synagogue membership and the individual members of those synagogues, anywhere in the world. The original Ruling was published at this link.

Hebrew Synagogue's Amended Ruling is a response to published accounts associated with the Pfizer vaccine.

The subject of mass vaccinations has been discussed widely within the global Jewish community for many years, with some congregations accepting mass vaccinations generally, while others have taken the view that vaccinations should be considered individually in consultation with a person's private or personal doctor, after weighing all of the published data and taking into consideration the risks involved in the balance against likely or anticipated benefits.

Hebrew Synagogue's original Ruling makes clear that such decisions may only be made by the individual and not on behalf of anyone else.

In the case of COVID19, and the current 2020 pandemic, the risk of contracting the disease, suffering from the associated illness, and the potential for requiring hospitalisation, or the potential for serious lasting illness or death is not universal. The individual health and wellbeing of a person will have a tremendous impact on each stage and the identifiable risk. This is not a one-size-fits-all scenario and therefore, Hebrew Synagogue's position is that the response should not be universal.

The Amendment indicates that according to published and widely reported accounts, during the development and testing period, human fetal tissue was used and that the company sought to hide this fact.

For this reason, the vaccine cannot be recommended for Observant Jews, unless your [individual] life is threatened and it can be shown/proven that without the Pfizer vaccine you will die. Because of the company's apparent dishonest behaviour, other published information sourced from Pfizer cannot be relied upon.

Johnson & Johnson previously confirmed the use of human fetal tissues in its vaccine process, making that vaccine unacceptable for Hebrew Synagogue members.

The concept of Pikuach Nefesh (watching over the soul) is a principle that the preservation of human life overrides virtually every religious rule or ruling. However, there are limitations to the concept. The individual, whose life is to be saved or at risk, must be a specific, identifiable individual, rather than an abstract or potential beneficiary or group of beneficiaries. It is simply not acceptable to require or otherwise encourage the general population to receive vaccination under the guise of protecting others within the community generally, who may or may not be at risk or may not be subject to the same levels of risk.

* Members wishing to receive a religious exemption certificate should contact their Hebrew Synagogue synagogue Rabbi or the Hebrew Synagogue administrative office directly.

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About Hebrew Synagogue

Hebrew Synagogue is an independent advisory body on matters pertaining to Jewish religious practice, interpretation, and applied Halakhah. It is widely consulted by individuals, institutions, and agencies seeking clear, faithful, and principled guidance rooted in Torah, the Talmud, the writings of the Rishonim and Acharonim, and the inner teachings of Judaism, including the Holy Zohar and Chassidic thought.

Hebrew Synagogue provides Halakhic rulings, clarifications, and supplemental guidance intended to illuminate existing practice rather than replace it. Its work is characterised by careful analysis, intellectual honesty, and an unwavering commitment to service לשם שמים (Leshem Shamayim — for the sake of Heaven). Where questions arise from modern life, new technologies, or contemporary social conditions, Hebrew Synagogue addresses them through the lens of traditional Jewish sources, applying eternal principles to present realities.

In addition to Halakhic guidance, Hebrew Synagogue is engaged in the preparation, publication, and dissemination of Jewish liturgical and study works. This includes structured prayer books, study texts, translations, and explanatory writings designed to preserve fidelity to original sources while making them accessible to the serious English reader. Particular care is taken with language, structure, and meaning, ensuring that Jewish concepts are not distorted through foreign theological frameworks.

Hebrew Synagogue also serves an educational role, offering teachings, essays, and public guidance on core Jewish ideas such as אמונה (emunah — faith), בטחון (bitachon — trust in G-D), תשובה (teshuvah — return), speech ethics, daily religious conduct, and the sanctification of ordinary life through mindful practice. Its teachings emphasise personal responsibility, informed choice, and the understanding that each individual ultimately stands accountable for their own service of G-D.

Hebrew Synagogue does not function as a congregation or a political body. It exists to advise, to clarify, and to uphold the integrity of Jewish religious life through learning, precision, and reverence. Its approach assumes that praising G-D is inherently good, and that the role of Halakhah is to guide that praise so it is meaningful, truthful, and worthy.

Executive Director: Ram ben Ze'ev