The Coronavirus is Transforming Judaism

If you attended religious school, you’ve probably heard this story: It was the first century of the Common Era. The Romans had destroyed Jerusalem, and with it, Judean independence. In utter despair, the Jews smuggled their leader, Yochanan ben Zakkai, out of Jerusalem in a coffin. He leaped out of the coffin, and hailed the Roman general, Vespasian, as the new emperor of Rome.

What seemed like monumental chutzpah turned out to be prophetic: Moments later, a messenger arrived on horseback. He told the general that the emperor had died, and that the general was to take his place.

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